Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs a meeting with the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Committee, relevant ministries and sectors on January 13. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi(VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a meeting with the Vietnam-LaosCooperation Committee, relevant ministries and sectors on January 13 to discuss theimplementation of the cooperation agreement with Laos last year and plans for2018.The event wasalso attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs PhamBinh Minh.According to areport by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the two nations exchangedmore than 300 visits at all levels and saw significant progress in economiccooperation in 2017. They have worked together to promptly remove obstacles andstep up trade and investment promotion activities.Vietnam now ranksthird among countries and territories investing in Laos with 276 projects worthabout 5 billion USD in total. Accumulative disbursement has been estimated atover 1.6 billion USD so far, accounting for 32.5 percent of the totalVietnamese investment.Vietnam-Laostrade in the first 11 months of 2017 exceeded 808 million USD, up roughly 10percent from 2016.Joint projects intransport infrastructure and connectivity have been developed between the twocountries and within the region. The two sides are continuing to seek fundingfor key projects, such as 725-km Hanoi – Vientiane Highway and a railwayconnecting Vung Ang, Tan Ap, Mu Gia (Vietnam) and Thakhec, Vientiane (Laos).Last year, Vietnamgranted 1,246 scholarships to Lao students, 246 higher than the number pledgedby the two Governments.PM Phuc said that 2017 was a year of solidarity between the two countries andboth sides successfully organised grand ceremonies to mark 55th… [Read full story]
Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue chairs the event (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue chaired a meeting in Hanoion July 11 to review the restructuring of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) in thefirst half and launch tasks for the remaining months this year. Speakingat the event, Hue, who is also head of the Steering Committee on Corporate Renovationand Development, hailed ministries, agencies and localities for improvingopenness and transparency in the effort. However,he also admitted that SOEs equitisation still meets difficulties regarding landpricing and responsibilities of State asset managers. Hemade it clear that the government will consider responsibility…... [read more]
Deputy PM Minh said there are 46 days left for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the central city of Danang and Party and State leaders are very interested in how far preparatory work has been done.It is imperative to ensure rapid and thorough preparations to make the Week a great success, he said while underlining the need to prepare carefully the content of the event through close coordination with APEC member economies to reach a consensus, meeting the common concern and that of Vietnam while creating the country’s hallmark.Logistical preparations have made progress but the completion of facilities in service…... [read more]
The Government will reconsider the leadership responsibilities of officials who are yet to fulfill State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) privatisation and divestment, said Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, Head of the Government Steering Committee on Corporate Renovation and Development.Hue chaired a meeting in Ha Noi on Tuesday to review SOE restructuring in the first half of 2017 and to launch tasks for the remaining months this year.He hailed ministries, agencies and localities for improving openness and transparency as well as building mechanisms and policies in their efforts. However, he also admitted that SOEs privatisation continued to meet difficulties regarding land pricing…... [read more]
Minh, also head of the National Steering Committee for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Preferential Loans, made the statement while chairing a meeting in Hanoi on April 26 to review projects funded by ODA and preferential loans. In the first four months of this year, Vietnam signed agreements for a total US$700 million of ODA and preferential loans. As of April 24, an estimated US$410 million was disbursed. This is the last year that Vietnam will receive preferential loans from the WB’s International Development Association. The global lender committed loans to 14 projects and programmes in Vietnam worth US$2.1 billion. After July…... [read more]
As reported, Vietnam signed a total of US$700 million worth of ODA and preferential loans in the first four months of 2017, with an estimated US$410 having already been disbursed as of April 24.Particularly, 2017 is the last year that Vietnam will receive preferential loans from the World Bank (WB)’s International Development Association (IDA). The WB has pledged loans worth US$2.1 billion to 14 projects and programmes in Vietnam. After July 1, the country can only access less preferential loans from this organisation.However, disbursement speed has been inconsistent between managing agencies, while it will be difficult for a number of…... [read more]
