PM seeks prompt task implementation

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked ministers and heads of governmental agencies, as well as local authorities, to promptly carry out major tasks for this year following the recent Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, the longest annual holiday in Viet Nam.

In his dispatch yesterday, the PM noted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development directs localities to ensure food supply after the Tet festival and production of winter-spring crops while promoting the country's traditional Tet tree-planting activities and activating this year's forestation plan.

The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs is tasked with coordinating with local people's committees to ensure labour forces are available for manufacturing business, especially at industrial parks.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is requested to intensify its work preventing diseases that run a high risk of breaking out during the winter-spring period. In particular, the ministry is striving to stop an outbreak of the deadly H7N9 strain of the bird flu virus and other epidemic diseases from invading Viet Nam. It is also requested to continue ensuring food hygiene and safety.

The government leader asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organise festivals in a safe, healthy and economical manner, while encouraging the masses to embrace frugality, especially during festive events.

He also hailed agencies and localities nationwide for promptly implementing the policies of the Party and State, bringing a warm Tet to people who have rendered services to the nation, social welfare beneficiaries and those living in remote and border areas.

Education fund head meets Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday, Feb 10, expressed his hope for Germany's Batschka Fund's continued support of education in Viet Nam while meeting with its President Rudolf Walther.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets Germany Batschka Fund President Rudolf Walther in Ha Noi yesterday.

Walther, in response, said he appreciated the warm reception extended to his delegation by the Vietnamese Government. He shared with Phuc the fund's future plan to build storm-proof primary and secondary schools in several provinces in the central region.

Walther said the Batschka Fund vowed to continue its sponsorship in building schools and conducting charity work in Viet Nam.

Deputy PM co-chairs Vietnam-Cambodia committee meeting

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and his Cambodian counterpart Hor Nam Hong are co-chairing the 13th session of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee for economic, cultural, scientific and technological cooperation in Phnom Penh on February 10-11.

Both sides will review the implementation of cooperation agreements reached at the previous meeting and discuss measures to boost comprehensive cooperation in 2014.

They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Relations between Vietnam and Cambodia have developed well in recent times. The Prime Ministers of the two countries made reciprocal visits in 2013.

Two-way trade last year reached US$3.5 billion, and the figure is expected to rise to US$5 billion by 2015.

Vietnam is Cambodia’s third largest trade partner. Its exports include petrol, steel, garments, agricultural machinery, chemicals, and fertilisers. Its key imports are rubber latex, wood and wood products, and tobacco.  

As of 2013 Vietnam had 127 projects totalling US$3 billion in Cambodia, ranking it the fifth largest foreign investor in the country.

Both sides signed 10 cooperation agreements during Hun Sen’s Vietnam visit in December 2013, and are preparing to sign an agreement on investment protection and encouragement.

President hails PVN staff

President Truong Tan Sang has praised more than 50,000 Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) staff members for boosting national economic development and contributing to the national defence.

Paying a New Year visit to PVN yesterday, the President said, after 40 years of operation, the group has rightfully sealed its position as the country's top business, with US$35 billion in capital and expanding cooperation with international partners. He urged PVN to step up the equitisation of a number of areas and mobilise capital and broaden its business.

He also said PVN should focus on boosting the nation's maritime economy, completing the key refinery projects of Nghi Son in the central province of Thanh Hoa, Dung Quat, in the central province of Quang Ngai and Long Son in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Wishing PVN a good Year of the Horse, Sang asked its staff to continue to improve their work performance, while carrying out the Party Central Committee's resolution on Party building and the Politburo's directive on studying and following the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh.

According to a PVN report, last year, despite the global and domestic economic downturn, the group recorded revenues of nearly VND763 trillion (nearly $36 billion), surpassing its yearly target by 18 per cent and contributing VND195.4 trillion ($9.18 billion) to the state budget.

In 2014, PVN will strive for processing 16.8 million tonnes of crude oil and 9.8 billion cubic metres of gas. It is also targeting VND673.3 trillion (nearly $32 billion) in revenues, said the report.

Deputy PM visits plant in progress

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai yesterday inspected the construction of the Nhan Co Aluminum Plant in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong.

He lauded efforts by the Viet Nam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) – the project's investors - as well as the local authorities - in carrying out the project.

He also asked for closer coordination between the investors and relevant agencies to speed up work on the project.

It remains necessary to speed up the construction of a red sludge reservoir, ensuring protection of the environment, he said.

Hai also emphasised the need to ensure the quality of the construction of the plant, while asking investors to give priority to the clearance of land, as well as compensation and resettlement for local people.

Further, the plant should offer training courses and employment to local labourers, especially those from ethnic groups, he said.

According to a Vinacomin report, the project is 70 per cent complete, with an initial building cost of VND8.2 trillion (US$390 million).

The plant will begin its trial operation during the third quarter this year, allowing the first products from the plant to be produced by the end of 2014.

In the first phase, from 2007 to 2014, Nhan Co Aluminum Plant, with a total investment of VND11.76 trillion ($552.720 million), is designed to produce 650,000 tonnes of aluminum per year with its output doubling after 2015, while using advanced and environmentally-friendly technologies.

Vice NA Chairwoman visits Nghe An Province

Politburo member and Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong, paid a working visit to Quy Chau and Que Phong districts in central Nghe An Province on February 9-10.

Speaking to local key officials, Vice Chairwoman Phong praised the efforts made by provincial authorities and people in socio-economic development, especially poverty reduction.

She asked the province to pay more attention to Party and government work, rural infrastructure construction and the effective implementation of socio-economic development measures, which she said will all help to improve locals’ living standards.

The official also took the opportunity to present gifts to social welfare beneficiaries in the locality.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA