FM spokeswoman says no returnee from CPC will be punished

On Feb. 5th, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh answered question from Vietnam News Agency: Please provide Viet Nam's reaction to statements by some individuals that 'they are concerned over the Central Highlands ethnic minority people, who illegally crossed the border to Cambodia, upon their return to Viet Nam".

Answer:

<B>The Central Highlands: A Fact Sheet</B>

There are four provinces in the Central Highlands (also known as Tay Nguyen) in Vietnam: Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak and Lam Dong. With the area of up to 56,000 km2, the Central Highlands are home to about 4.2 million people, including many ethnic minority groups (Gia rai, Ede, Xo dang, Co-ho, M

U.S Association of Garment & Leather Shoes visits Vietnam

Ha Noi, Jan. 21 (VNA) -- A 17-member delegation of the U.S. Association of Garment and Leather Shoes and the law firm ST&R met with representatives of Viet Nam's Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Industry in Ha Noi on Jan. 21.

The delegation led by Vice President of the Association, Fawn Evenson.

The U.S. guests also met with representatives of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Textile and Garment Corporation, the Leather Shoe Corporation and the Viet Nam Leather Shoe Assocation.

Tripartite meeting on return of Vietnamese highlanders


Ha Noi, Jan. 22 (VNA) -- Viet Nam, Cambodia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have endorsed the importance of the provision of proper counselling to the highlanders (Montagnards) as an incentive for their safe return to Viet Nam.

This agreement was reached at a tripartite meeting held in Phnom Penh on Monday, Jan. 21, on Vietnamese "Montagnards" who had illegally fled into Cambodia's northeastern provinces.

Government holds discussions on development in Central Highlands

Ha Noi, Jan.22 (VNA) -- Socio-economic development and national defence and security in the Central Highlands must be boosted, in tandem with the implementation of the Party and State's policy towards ethnic minority people.

This view was agreed upon at a conference held by the Government in Dac Lac province on Monday, Jan.21, to discuss measures to carry out the Party Politburo's resolution on socio-economic development and national defence and security in the Central Highlands between 2001 and 2010.

Vietnam pledges aid package to Afghanistan's reconstruction

Ha Noi, Jan. 23 (VNA) -- The Vietnamese Government has pledged an aid package worth USD 300,000 to Afghanistan's reconstruction.

The aid, including food, medicines, and other essential necessities, was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister, Le Cong Phung, at the ministeral conference for reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 21 and 22.

Vietnam expected to be one of leading exporters in Asia in 2002

Ha Noi, Jan. 21 (VNA) -- Viet Nam has been predicted to be one of a group of leading exporters in the Asia region in 2002 by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC).

The group, which also includes India, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan, is expected to obtain export growths ranging from 7 to 8.4 percent.

The Hong Kong-based PERC noted that one positive feature for Asia is that the thrust of government initiatives have been towards greater liberalisation, rather than protectionism, in the face of economic difficulties.

FM Spokeswoman rejected assessment of H.R Watch on Vietnam

On Jan. 18, Foreign Minister Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh answered question from Radio Voice of Vietnam: Please provide Vietnam's reaction to a report on human rights record in Vietnam in 2001 released by the Human Rights Watch which says that Vietnam suffered some backlash on human rights, especially in freedom of religion.

Answer:

We reject groundless and untruthful assessments by the Human Rights Watch.

Vietnam gives humanitarian aid to Afghanistan


Ha Noi, Jan.18 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's Government will give USD 300,000 worth of essential goods as humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, said Viet Nam's foreign ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh in a press release issued today, Jan. 18.

Viet Nam will also send a delegation to a ministerial meeting of donor countries to rebuild Afghanistan to be held in Tokyo, Japan, on January 21-22, Ms. Phan Thuy Thanh added.--VNA

Trade Ministry's new regulations on export rewards


Ha Noi, Jan. 16 (VNA) -- The Trade Ministry has issued new regulations on export rewards, to take effect on Jan. 17 this year.

Under the regulations, rewards will be given to a domestically-made product or category of goods which is exported for the first time with an export turnover of more than USD 100,000 a year. For mountainous and island provinces the figure is USD 50,000.

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