US venture funds opens rep. office in HCMC

Mon, 03/28/2005 - 10:40

A US$100-million venture capital fund officially opened its representative office in Ho Chi Minh City on Mar. 25 to commence operations in southern Vietnam.

At the opening ceremony, IDG Ventures Vietnam, a subsidiary of the US International Data Group, the world’s leading technology, media, research and event firm, said it has invested into two Vietnamese software companies, PeaceSoft and iSphere.

PeaceSoft and iSphere, both based in capital Hanoi, are two dynamic companies with qualified staff, said Nguyen Bao Hoang, IDG Ventures Vietnam chief executive.

US sponsor HCMC healthcare consulting-room

An outpatients’ consultation room for people living with HIV/AIDS in a HCMC Hospital was inaugurated Mar. 25 under sponsorship from a US partner, reported the hospital authorities.

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention signed an agreement with the HCMC Tropical Diseases Hospital to offer the financial assistance estimated at VND1billion per year to undertake the project.

The consulting-room is designed for medical examinations, treatment, and medicinal therapy for people living with HIV/AIDS.

“Narrower gaps” in Vietnam’s WTO talks

Mon, 03/28/2005 - 10:25

In past talks over Vietnam’s entry to the World Trade Organization this year, partners like Japan have shown their support by reducing demands for the country to open up its market, said a deputy trade minister.

“Many partners said the gap between them and Vietnam in negotiations for the country’s integration into the World Trade Organization has been narrowed,” said Deputy Trade Minister Luong Van Tu.

Legal load for WTO entry

Thu, 03/24/2005 - 15:52

The National Assembly (NA) is drafting 30 legal documents concerning negotiations on Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The documents, 26 laws and codes and four ordinances, are being drafted or revised and supplemented to carry out duties which will arise during bilateral and multilateral WTO negotiations.

Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen said that Vietnam's law building programme has drawn due concern from major partners, including the US, who consider it one of Vietnam's top priorities for admission.

US veterans congratulates Vietnam on war-end anniversary

American veterans have drafted an open letter to the people of Vietnam conveying congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the Southern Liberation Day (April 30).

The veterans have also recently begun a campaign to collect online signatures for the official letter annoucement on the occassion.

Chuck Searcy, Vice President of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and other American veterans have scripted the 30th anniversary message commerating the end of the war.

Peter Yarrow to perform in Hanoi

The renowned U.S. folk singer Peter Yarrow of the legendary band Peter, Paul & Mary will give a special concert at the Hanoi Opera House to raise funds for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims next Tuesday night.

All tickets to the performance are complimentary and can be obtained at the American Chamber of Commerce at the Hilton Hotel in Hanoi.

At the Vietnamese concert, Yarrow will perform his own songs like Puff, the Magic Dragon; Weave Me the Sunshine; Day is Done; River of Jordan; Sweet Survivor; and Music Speaks Louder Than Words.

U.S. eye bank pledges aid for Vietnam corneal transplant

The Fresno Eye Bank in the U.S. has recently pledged technical and equipment aid for the Ho Chi Minh City Sponsoring Society for Poor Patients to carry out corneal transplant operations on poor patients.

Thomas Good, managing director of the Fresno eye bank, and Nguyen Vinh Nghiep, chairman of the Sponsoring Society for Poor Patients, signed an agreement March 19 for the U.S. eye bank to provide corneas, equipment and technical aid for the establishment of a cornea bank in the city.

Vietnam is the 33rd largest exporters to U.S.

Vietnam is currently among the leading exporters to the lucrative American market with its main export earners being textiles, seafood, footwear and woodwork, the Vietnamese Ministry of Trade said March 21.

Based on export figures in January this year, Vietnam is the 33rd largest exporter of the U.S., according to the ministry.

In January, Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. reached 537 million USD, up 42.1 per cent over last year’s same period, the ministry said.

Major exports

Vietnam’s seafood exports increase in first quarter

Wed, 03/23/2005 - 16:28

Vietnam’s seafood exports remained strong in the first quarter of this year although the industry encountered problems over anti-dumping tariffs in the U.S. market, according to official figures.
In the first three months of 2005, the country’s seafood exports reached 445 million USD, up roughly 15.27 per cent over last year’s same period, the Ministry of Planning and Investment said.

Nation recommits to software protection

Thu, 03/17/2005 - 17:51

HA NOI — Policy makers have reiterated the Government’s commitment to protect software intellectual property (IP) rights as the country moves toward joining the World Trade Organisation.

Concluding a roundtable yesterday in Ha Noi, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Manh Hai called for co-operation with countries and agencies with relevant knowledge.

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