Ten year development of Vietnam's foreign trade



HA Noi, April 18 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's foreign trade volume reached USD 29.5 billion last year, marking a 6.5-fold increase over 1989, while its annual import-export volume mounted to USD 14.3 billion in 1990-2000, or a 2.5-fold rise compared to the 1981-1990 figure, and the number of businesses involved in the import-export sector rose from 270 in 1990 to more than 10,000 at present.

6.1million jobs created in 1996-2000



Ha Noi, April 18 (VNA) -- Viet Nam generated 6.1 million jobs in the 1996-2000 period.

In 2000, unemployment rate among urban people stood at 6.44 percent, the rate of working hours in rural areas rose to 73.86 percent from 72.11 percent in 1996 and the rate of trained workers increased to 22 percent from 10 percent in 1996.

These achievements were attributable to the renovation policy which opened ways for more investment capital sources for job generation, and to programmes for providing direct support to workhands.

FM Spokeswoman rebut letter of the US CI Religious Freedom


On April 9, 2001, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh answers question from DPA: Please comment on the recent letter by Elliot Abrams, chairman of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom to Secretary of the Treasury Paul O'Neill recommending that the United States withhold its support for IMF and WB loans to the government of Vietnam on "religious grounds".

Answer:

FM Spokeswoman on religious activities in Vietnam



On April 13,2001, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh answers question from AFP: What is Vietnam's reaction to accusations by Vietnam Commission on Human Rights in Geneva that "Vietnam is systematically legalizing religious repression"?

Answer:

Freedom to adhere to or not to adhere to a religion or religious belief of all Vietnamese citizens is clearly stipulated in Vietnamese laws and ensured in practice.

Vietnam's trade sector sees comprehensive development



Ha Noi, Apr. 15 (VNA) -- Viet Nam posted an average annual import-export turnover of USD 22.5 billion in the 1996-2000 period as compared to USD 7.5 billion in the 1991-1995 period.

The export proportion increased from 26.4 percent of the country's GDP in 1995 to 37.6 percent in 2000.

With per capita import-export turnover share of USD 180 a year, Viet Nam has escaped from the list of countries having underdeveloped trade.

President George Bush extends condolences on Vietnamese victims



Ha Noi, April 14 (VNA) -- US President George W. Bush has extended his condolences to President Tran Duc Luong on the death of Vietnamese crew and officials in a helicopter that crashed in central Quang Binh province last weekend.

In his April 12 letter to President Luong, the US President expressed thanks to Viet Nam and high appreciation of Viet Nam's cooperation in searching American servicemen reported missing in action (MIA).

US Congressman Philip Crane visits Vietnam



Ha Noi, April 14 (VNA) -- US congressman Philip Crane paid a visit to Viet Nam from Apr. 10-14.

Philip Crane, who is Vice-Chairman of the US House of Representatives Committee for Finance and Taxation and Chairman of Commerce Sub-Committee, was received by Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, Trade Minister Vu Khoan and National Assembly's External Relations Committee Chairman Do Van Tai.

Socio-economic achievements after 15 years of Doi moi



Ha Noi, April 13 (VNA) -- Fifteen years of carrying out national renovation has taken the country out of crisis and inflation and brought about significant achievements.

Dr. Tran Kim Dong of the General Statistics Office said that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2000 was 2.5 times as much as that of 1985 with an average annual growth rate of 6.3 percent in 1986-2000, 3.9 percent in 1986-1990 and almost 7.6 percent in the past decade.

Almost all key economic sectors obtained outstanding achievements in the past 15 years.

Vietnam-US EXPO 2001 to open in Ho Chi Minh City



Ha Noi, April 11 (VNA) -- A Viet Nam-America Economic Exchange and Trade Exhibition-Fair, Viet Nam-America EXPO 2001, will be held at the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City from July 2-8, the Viet Nam Exhibition and Fair Centre (VEFAC) announced at a press briefing today, April 11, in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Viet Nam-America EXPO 2001 - the first to be held in Viet Nam - will draw about 200 Vietnamese and U.S. enterprises.

Vietnam has 45 overseas investment ventures



Ha Noi, April 11 (VNA) -- Viet Nam now has 45 valid investment ventures in 13 countries and territories, according to the Planning and Investment Ministry.

To the 45 projects, Vietnamese partners contributed USD 11.7 million, about 40 percent of the combined registered capital.

Most of the investment projects engage in food processing, construction, commerce and services.

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