HA NOI — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Wednesday approved the assignment of 22 deputy ministers at six ministries, including the ministries of Health, Industry and Trade, Information and Communication, Agriculture and Rural Development, Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
The seven new deputy ministers of Industry and Trade include Nguyen Thanh Bien, Do Huu Hao, Bui Xuan Khu, Le Duong Quang, Chau Hue Cam, Le Danh Vinh and Nguyen Cam Tu.
Six new deputy ministers of Information and Communication include Le Nam Thang, Vu Duc Dam, Tran Duc Lai, Nguyen Thanh Hung, Nguyen Minh Hong and Do Quy Doan.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s four new deputy ministers include Tran Chien Thang, Le Tien Tho, Huynh Vinh Ai and Nguyen Trong Hy.
The three new deputy ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development are Nguyen Viet Thang, Luong Le Phuong and Vu Van Tam.
The new deputy minister of Health is Nguyen Ba Thuy, while Phung Ngoc Hung is set to be the new deputy minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.
On the same day, Prime Minister Dung decided to assign Truong Hoa Binh, former deputy minister of Public Security, and Le Thi Thu Ba, former deputy minister of Justice, to undertake new tasks. —VNS
Monday, August 13, 2007
Assembly deputies hear citizen concerns
HA NOI — Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, who is also a National Assembly deputy from the northern province of Ha Nam, met with citizens in the province over the past two days, joined by other provincial National Assembly deputies .
Meeting with voters in Ly Nhan District, Doan said the Party and State continued to issue solutions and adjust policies to strongly boost socio-economic development.
Doan also expressed her sympathy for Ha Nam farmers as their fields were small and hard to cultivate, and livestock epidemics had recently caused setbacks to many residents.
The provincial residents asked the deputies to pay greater attention to policies for cadres in wards and communes and to increase the pay of kindergarten teachers.
Farmers’ incomes were low, they said, while farmers had to cover many expenses.
Nguyen Minh Tuyen of Nhan Binh Commune said residents in his area had had to contribute their own money to building an electric transformer station so that they could have access to power, but they still had to buy electricity at a higher price than prices set by the State.
Meanwhile, in the southern city of Can Tho, National Assembly deputies met with citizens in Binh Thuy and Ninh Kieu districts.
Many voters proposed that the State should quickly discontinue some pending construction projects.
They also urged the establishment of anti-corruption committees in cities and provinces, and said cases of corruption needed to be resolved more quickly.
In the northern province of Tuyen Quang, National Assembly deputies and local residents discussed administrative reform, preventing and controlling epidemics and natural disasters, assuring food safety, reducing pollution and traffic accidents, and controlling inflation.
Residents informed deputies of the poor quality of the provincial educational system, as well as the province’s high unemployment rate and rising cost of living.
Voters in Ham Yen District and the town of Tuyen Quang also urged the National Assembly to improve policies for the elderly, the poor, the disabled and for Agent Orange victims.
Citizens in Thanh Hoa Province asked provincial deputies to address such issues as high inflation, vocational training, the environment, and problems arising in equitising enterprises.
They said it was necessary to have better policies for grassroots cadres and prioritised classes of people and to reduce unemployment, especially among youth. — VNS
Meeting with voters in Ly Nhan District, Doan said the Party and State continued to issue solutions and adjust policies to strongly boost socio-economic development.
Doan also expressed her sympathy for Ha Nam farmers as their fields were small and hard to cultivate, and livestock epidemics had recently caused setbacks to many residents.
The provincial residents asked the deputies to pay greater attention to policies for cadres in wards and communes and to increase the pay of kindergarten teachers.
Farmers’ incomes were low, they said, while farmers had to cover many expenses.
Nguyen Minh Tuyen of Nhan Binh Commune said residents in his area had had to contribute their own money to building an electric transformer station so that they could have access to power, but they still had to buy electricity at a higher price than prices set by the State.
Meanwhile, in the southern city of Can Tho, National Assembly deputies met with citizens in Binh Thuy and Ninh Kieu districts.
Many voters proposed that the State should quickly discontinue some pending construction projects.
They also urged the establishment of anti-corruption committees in cities and provinces, and said cases of corruption needed to be resolved more quickly.
In the northern province of Tuyen Quang, National Assembly deputies and local residents discussed administrative reform, preventing and controlling epidemics and natural disasters, assuring food safety, reducing pollution and traffic accidents, and controlling inflation.
Residents informed deputies of the poor quality of the provincial educational system, as well as the province’s high unemployment rate and rising cost of living.
Voters in Ham Yen District and the town of Tuyen Quang also urged the National Assembly to improve policies for the elderly, the poor, the disabled and for Agent Orange victims.
Citizens in Thanh Hoa Province asked provincial deputies to address such issues as high inflation, vocational training, the environment, and problems arising in equitising enterprises.
They said it was necessary to have better policies for grassroots cadres and prioritised classes of people and to reduce unemployment, especially among youth. — VNS
Nation comes to aid of flood-hit provinces
HA NOI — Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh yesterday sent a message of condolence to provinces in Central Viet Nam and Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands) that have suffered the brunt of recent floods.
Manh expressed his sympathy to victims’ families and praised the work of civil servants, residents and soldiers in dealing with the aftermath of the adverse weather conditions.
He also asked the Government and leaders of cities and provinces to focus on stabilising residents’ living conditions in flood-affected areas.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also sent a message to people in provinces struck by storms in Central Viet Nam and Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands).
He asked related ministries to help residents in the provinces rebuild their homes and clean up after the floods.
The PM also urged northern mountainous provinces to be on the alert for flash floods that may be caused by heavy rains from degrading Storm Pabuk.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung on Thursday made an inspection tour of the flood-battered central province Ha Tinh.He urged government ministries, branches and local authorities to focus their efforts and available resources on helping local people resume normality as soon as possible.
Across the country, at least 56 people have been killed by the floods so far, according to Flood and Storm Control Committees of provinces.
By Thursday, floods and lightning had killed 19 people in Ha Tinh, injuring five, with one still missing.
Estimated cost of the damage in the province has been set at over VND400 billion (US$25 million).At present, close to 30,000 households in the locality are still marooned as communes in Huong Khe and Vu Quang districts remain submerged in 3 to 5 metres of water.
Meanwhile in central and Central Highlands provinces the death toll has topped 40, with 13 still missing, according to the Central Storm and Flood Prevention and Control Steering Committee.
According to the department, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has been hit hardest financially with initial losses estimated at VND630 billion ($39.3 million).
In Tien Giang Province, a whirlwind at 4am yesterday damaged 74 houses in Go Cong Tay District, and impaired hundreds of ha of rice and vegetables.
Tropical storm lulls
In a change for the better, the Department for Dike Management and Flood and Storm Control has announced that Typhoon Pabuk has degraded to an area of tropical low pressure. The low pressure system is now over the coastal area of Guangdong Province (China), 230km east of the Leizhou Peninsula.
Strong winds in the centre of the pressure system were measured at 39-61km per hour, with gusts more than 61km per hour.
It is forecast that in the next 24 hours, the tropical low pressure will move gradually, ending up at sea 21.3 degrees north latitude and 112.3 degrees west longitude, 150km east of Leizhou Peninsula by 1am today.
Facing the aftermath
A section of National Highway No 1A in the central province of Ha Tinh jammed by floods for a day has been put into action again.
Director of Management Company 474 Nguyen Truong Tuong, in charge of the repair work, said the Son Tra Bridge in Son Tra Commune, Huong Son District suffered serious damages on Thursday morning but was repaired and ready for use yesterday.
It took more than 100 workers and dozens of vehicles and bulldozers to get the 12m long, 7m wide road ship shape again, the company said.
Repair workers are also busy in Quang Binh where the provincial Railway Management Company reported 54 out of 60 damaged sections of railway in the province had been fixed.
Also in Quang Binh Province, a memorial service was held to commemorate Lieutenant Pham Huu Huyen, 34, born in Le Thuy District, who lost his life while helping residents in Tuyen Hoa District.
Huyen used his boat to rescue 74 flood-hit residents from raging waters but tragedy struck when his boat was overturned by a whirlpool. His body was discovered on Thursday afternoon.
Fourteen people so far have been killed by storms in Quang Binh.
Central province Nghe An hasn’t fared much better, with two people killed by falling rocks and lightning. Storm No 2 caused damage worth around VND38 billion, waterlogging 2,000ha of rice and 3,500ha of crops and washed away 350ha of fish and shrimp breeding ponds.
In Dak Lak, 14 have died and seven remain missing. Damage, estimated to stand at VND630 billion includes more than 6,500 houses submerged, 137 others washed away, 17,400ha of rice and 11,400ha of corn damaged, dozens of dams broken and 77km of rural roads destroyed.
Dak Lak have used their local budget to buy more than 1,120 tonnes of rice to feed 17,180 flood-hit families.
Eight people remain missing and as many as 394 houses have collapsed or been washed away by floods; 54,459 houses remain waterlogged; and 98,543 houses are submerged. More than 98,500ha of crops are waterlogged and 4,267ha of shrimp breeding ponds have been washed away. — VNS
Manh expressed his sympathy to victims’ families and praised the work of civil servants, residents and soldiers in dealing with the aftermath of the adverse weather conditions.
He also asked the Government and leaders of cities and provinces to focus on stabilising residents’ living conditions in flood-affected areas.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also sent a message to people in provinces struck by storms in Central Viet Nam and Tay Nguyen (the Central Highlands).
He asked related ministries to help residents in the provinces rebuild their homes and clean up after the floods.
The PM also urged northern mountainous provinces to be on the alert for flash floods that may be caused by heavy rains from degrading Storm Pabuk.
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung on Thursday made an inspection tour of the flood-battered central province Ha Tinh.He urged government ministries, branches and local authorities to focus their efforts and available resources on helping local people resume normality as soon as possible.
Across the country, at least 56 people have been killed by the floods so far, according to Flood and Storm Control Committees of provinces.
By Thursday, floods and lightning had killed 19 people in Ha Tinh, injuring five, with one still missing.
Estimated cost of the damage in the province has been set at over VND400 billion (US$25 million).At present, close to 30,000 households in the locality are still marooned as communes in Huong Khe and Vu Quang districts remain submerged in 3 to 5 metres of water.
Meanwhile in central and Central Highlands provinces the death toll has topped 40, with 13 still missing, according to the Central Storm and Flood Prevention and Control Steering Committee.
According to the department, the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak has been hit hardest financially with initial losses estimated at VND630 billion ($39.3 million).
In Tien Giang Province, a whirlwind at 4am yesterday damaged 74 houses in Go Cong Tay District, and impaired hundreds of ha of rice and vegetables.
Tropical storm lulls
In a change for the better, the Department for Dike Management and Flood and Storm Control has announced that Typhoon Pabuk has degraded to an area of tropical low pressure. The low pressure system is now over the coastal area of Guangdong Province (China), 230km east of the Leizhou Peninsula.
Strong winds in the centre of the pressure system were measured at 39-61km per hour, with gusts more than 61km per hour.
It is forecast that in the next 24 hours, the tropical low pressure will move gradually, ending up at sea 21.3 degrees north latitude and 112.3 degrees west longitude, 150km east of Leizhou Peninsula by 1am today.
Facing the aftermath
A section of National Highway No 1A in the central province of Ha Tinh jammed by floods for a day has been put into action again.
Director of Management Company 474 Nguyen Truong Tuong, in charge of the repair work, said the Son Tra Bridge in Son Tra Commune, Huong Son District suffered serious damages on Thursday morning but was repaired and ready for use yesterday.
It took more than 100 workers and dozens of vehicles and bulldozers to get the 12m long, 7m wide road ship shape again, the company said.
Repair workers are also busy in Quang Binh where the provincial Railway Management Company reported 54 out of 60 damaged sections of railway in the province had been fixed.
Also in Quang Binh Province, a memorial service was held to commemorate Lieutenant Pham Huu Huyen, 34, born in Le Thuy District, who lost his life while helping residents in Tuyen Hoa District.
Huyen used his boat to rescue 74 flood-hit residents from raging waters but tragedy struck when his boat was overturned by a whirlpool. His body was discovered on Thursday afternoon.
Fourteen people so far have been killed by storms in Quang Binh.
Central province Nghe An hasn’t fared much better, with two people killed by falling rocks and lightning. Storm No 2 caused damage worth around VND38 billion, waterlogging 2,000ha of rice and 3,500ha of crops and washed away 350ha of fish and shrimp breeding ponds.
In Dak Lak, 14 have died and seven remain missing. Damage, estimated to stand at VND630 billion includes more than 6,500 houses submerged, 137 others washed away, 17,400ha of rice and 11,400ha of corn damaged, dozens of dams broken and 77km of rural roads destroyed.
Dak Lak have used their local budget to buy more than 1,120 tonnes of rice to feed 17,180 flood-hit families.
Eight people remain missing and as many as 394 houses have collapsed or been washed away by floods; 54,459 houses remain waterlogged; and 98,543 houses are submerged. More than 98,500ha of crops are waterlogged and 4,267ha of shrimp breeding ponds have been washed away. — VNS
Monday, June 11, 2007
Dengue fever outbreak plagues Mekong Delta region
HCM CITY — Dengue fever is on the rise in the Mekong River Delta as the rainy season continues, according to health officials.
Over the last two months, more than 10,000 dengue fever cases were reported in the region, including two fatalities.
In Dong Thap Province, 2,000 people are currently suffering from dengue fever.
The emergency division of Tam Nong District’s hospital has received 157 dengue fever patients since the beginning of the rainy season.
Nguyen Kim Thinh, deputy director of Tam Nong District’s Preventive Medicine Centre, said the number of dengue fever patients had increased severalfold compared with the same period last year.
Thinh said there were also some serious cases that needed to be tranferred to city-level hospitals for treatment.
Most patients under treatment at the district’s hospital were children under 15 years old.
She attributed the growing dengue fever cases to the public’s lack of awareness about preventing the disease.
The health sector in the Mekong River Delta is strongly advocating preventive measures, including the spraying of mosquito repellents in densely populated districts and waterlogged areas in communes.
Local health workers have been sent to rural areas to disseminate information on sanitation methods, dredging of canals and culverts, and the use of mosquito nets.
In Tien Giang and An Giang provinces, 2,000 people have been struck by dengue fever.
The director of Tien Giang Province’s General Hospital, Hoang Tho Man, said the Mekong Delta this year was facing a high risk of a widespread outbreak of dengue fever.
He aslo called for prompt measures to effectively fight and prevent an epidemic in the rainy season.
Dengue fever patients whose high fever has not abated within a day should go to a hospital and not stay at home, health officials said. — VNS
Over the last two months, more than 10,000 dengue fever cases were reported in the region, including two fatalities.
In Dong Thap Province, 2,000 people are currently suffering from dengue fever.
The emergency division of Tam Nong District’s hospital has received 157 dengue fever patients since the beginning of the rainy season.
Nguyen Kim Thinh, deputy director of Tam Nong District’s Preventive Medicine Centre, said the number of dengue fever patients had increased severalfold compared with the same period last year.
Thinh said there were also some serious cases that needed to be tranferred to city-level hospitals for treatment.
Most patients under treatment at the district’s hospital were children under 15 years old.
She attributed the growing dengue fever cases to the public’s lack of awareness about preventing the disease.
The health sector in the Mekong River Delta is strongly advocating preventive measures, including the spraying of mosquito repellents in densely populated districts and waterlogged areas in communes.
Local health workers have been sent to rural areas to disseminate information on sanitation methods, dredging of canals and culverts, and the use of mosquito nets.
In Tien Giang and An Giang provinces, 2,000 people have been struck by dengue fever.
The director of Tien Giang Province’s General Hospital, Hoang Tho Man, said the Mekong Delta this year was facing a high risk of a widespread outbreak of dengue fever.
He aslo called for prompt measures to effectively fight and prevent an epidemic in the rainy season.
Dengue fever patients whose high fever has not abated within a day should go to a hospital and not stay at home, health officials said. — VNS
Programme opens eyes to plight of AIDS victims
NINH BINH — Many men from Kim Son District, in the northern province of Ninh Binh, are migratory workers. It is the stress of having to leave their communities to find work that is being blamed for the relatively high incidence of HIV/AIDS infection in the region.
To increase understanding about the disease the Vietnamese and Canadian rehabilitation associations joined forces to set up HIV/AIDS-awareness programmes in An Hoa Commune and Phat Diem Town.
Vu Van Kiem from Kim Son’s People’s Committee says when HIV-infected migrant workers return home they often pass on the disease to their wives.
"The highest risk of catching the disease comes from those who have moved away from home to earn a living. When they come back to their hometown, they infect their wives."
One HIV sufferer (who prefers to remain anonymous) used to work as an electrician in his local commune. However, he was forced to move away from home to find better-paid work. It was then that he started taking drugs, which he was introduced to by his landlord. And it was through using a dirty needle that he contracted HIV.
Since 1995 there have been 396 HIV patients in Kim Son. Of those, 18 have developed full-blown AIDS and 83 have died.
He says a lack of understanding about the disease is aggravating the problem.
"Although I haven’t made it public that I have HIV, people talk about me behind my back and avoid coming into contact with me. They even avoid sitting down with me to have a drink or a meal. Even my wife, children and relatives ignore me," he says, adding that villagers have also asked kindergartens not to accept his children.
It is the fear that his children won’t be able to attend school that another HIV sufferer, who also wishes to remain anonymous, has kept his disease secret. And it’s not just ill-informed and frightened villagers that shun him.
"It’s not just villagers but local officials like the head of the women’s association, the commune’s People’s Committee - even medical staff discriminate against us," he says.
And the discrimination doesn’t end with death - even some cemeteries are refusing to accept those who have died of AIDS.
In an effort to reduce the discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers the Vietnamese rehabilitation association and the Canadian rehabilitation association launched its HIV/AIDS-awareness campaign that involves dropping leaflets through doors, running training courses, and holding public meetings. As a result, knowledge about the devastating disease has improved markedly.
Family members are now willing to look after HIV sufferers, without fear of catching the disease. HIV patients have even set up two social clubs - "Love and Responsibility" in Phat Diem town and "Consulting Care" in An Hoa Commune. The two clubs now have a combined membership of 47. HIV sufferers come to share their feelings, making their lives, if not happy, then at least less miserable and lonely. — VNS
To increase understanding about the disease the Vietnamese and Canadian rehabilitation associations joined forces to set up HIV/AIDS-awareness programmes in An Hoa Commune and Phat Diem Town.
Vu Van Kiem from Kim Son’s People’s Committee says when HIV-infected migrant workers return home they often pass on the disease to their wives.
"The highest risk of catching the disease comes from those who have moved away from home to earn a living. When they come back to their hometown, they infect their wives."
One HIV sufferer (who prefers to remain anonymous) used to work as an electrician in his local commune. However, he was forced to move away from home to find better-paid work. It was then that he started taking drugs, which he was introduced to by his landlord. And it was through using a dirty needle that he contracted HIV.
Since 1995 there have been 396 HIV patients in Kim Son. Of those, 18 have developed full-blown AIDS and 83 have died.
He says a lack of understanding about the disease is aggravating the problem.
"Although I haven’t made it public that I have HIV, people talk about me behind my back and avoid coming into contact with me. They even avoid sitting down with me to have a drink or a meal. Even my wife, children and relatives ignore me," he says, adding that villagers have also asked kindergartens not to accept his children.
It is the fear that his children won’t be able to attend school that another HIV sufferer, who also wishes to remain anonymous, has kept his disease secret. And it’s not just ill-informed and frightened villagers that shun him.
"It’s not just villagers but local officials like the head of the women’s association, the commune’s People’s Committee - even medical staff discriminate against us," he says.
And the discrimination doesn’t end with death - even some cemeteries are refusing to accept those who have died of AIDS.
In an effort to reduce the discrimination against HIV/AIDS sufferers the Vietnamese rehabilitation association and the Canadian rehabilitation association launched its HIV/AIDS-awareness campaign that involves dropping leaflets through doors, running training courses, and holding public meetings. As a result, knowledge about the devastating disease has improved markedly.
Family members are now willing to look after HIV sufferers, without fear of catching the disease. HIV patients have even set up two social clubs - "Love and Responsibility" in Phat Diem town and "Consulting Care" in An Hoa Commune. The two clubs now have a combined membership of 47. HIV sufferers come to share their feelings, making their lives, if not happy, then at least less miserable and lonely. — VNS
Nation’s largest cooking oil facility opens in HCM City
HCM CITY — Cai Lan Oils & Fats Industrial Co. (Calofic) opened the country’s largest cooking oil processing plant in HCM City last Saturday at a cost of US$34 million.
The plant in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park, which can produce 600 metric tonnes of refined oils a day, is the Quang Ninh Province-based company’s third in the country.
Do Ngoc Hai, general director of Vocarimex - the local partner of Cai Lan joint venture company, said the new facility took Calofic’s total production to 1,150 tonnes per day.
"The new factory hopes to meet the rising demand for cooking oil in the local market, especially in the south, as well as overseas markets like Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, and South Korea," said Hai.
Established in 1996, Calofic is a 68/32 joint venture between Siteki Investment Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Kuok Oils & Grain Ltd. of Singapore, and the Ministry of Industry’s Viet Nam Vegetable Oils, Aromas and Cosmetics Corp. (Vocarimex).
Hai added Calofic’s investment in Viet Nam had risen to $83.4 million since it opened its first plant 11 years ago.
Speaking at the inauguration last Saturday Deputy Minister of Industry Chau Hue Cam said the company had a 35 per cent share in the country’s cooking oil market last year.
She said Cai Lan’s three cooking oil factories in Quang Ninh, Can Tho, and HCM City provided more than 900 jobs. — VNS
The plant in Hiep Phuoc Industrial Park, which can produce 600 metric tonnes of refined oils a day, is the Quang Ninh Province-based company’s third in the country.
Do Ngoc Hai, general director of Vocarimex - the local partner of Cai Lan joint venture company, said the new facility took Calofic’s total production to 1,150 tonnes per day.
"The new factory hopes to meet the rising demand for cooking oil in the local market, especially in the south, as well as overseas markets like Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, and South Korea," said Hai.
Established in 1996, Calofic is a 68/32 joint venture between Siteki Investment Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Kuok Oils & Grain Ltd. of Singapore, and the Ministry of Industry’s Viet Nam Vegetable Oils, Aromas and Cosmetics Corp. (Vocarimex).
Hai added Calofic’s investment in Viet Nam had risen to $83.4 million since it opened its first plant 11 years ago.
Speaking at the inauguration last Saturday Deputy Minister of Industry Chau Hue Cam said the company had a 35 per cent share in the country’s cooking oil market last year.
She said Cai Lan’s three cooking oil factories in Quang Ninh, Can Tho, and HCM City provided more than 900 jobs. — VNS
PM Dung calls for action to speed up capital disbursements
HA Noi — Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said yesterday he appreciated the country’s efforts in reaching a gross domestic product growth rate of 8 per cent during the first five months of the year.
But Dung said many projects were progressing slowly because of shortcomings in management, especially complicated administrative procedures that have hindered investors.
He presided over a conference to review the implementation of investment plans during the first half of the year and ways to implement plans for the last six months.
Cumbersome mechanisms, disparate guidelines from ministries and regional governments, weak consultation regimes and slow site clearance all hampered investment, he said.
The PM asked ministries and business leaders to find solutions to construction delays, especially for key projects.
He asked the Ministry of Finance to review capital sources, State bonds and development aid to assure money for construction.
He also asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to work out mechanisms for investors and strengthen its management of basic construction projects.
According to the ministry, total social spending in the first six months of this year rose to VND195 trillion, accounting for 43 per cent of yearly targets and 38.4 per cent of GDP. Of this figure, the State budget accounted for VND42.4 trillion and capital from credit sources was VND10.3 trillion.
Record investment
Viet Nam posted a record US$5.2 billion in foreign investment during the first five months of this year, according to the Government’s website.
The country also recorded a growth rate of more than 30 per cent in fields like capital investment, exports and tax collection.
According to economists, the Government’s decision to open ‘sensitive’ sectors, including seafood, garments and electronics import and export, to foreign investors helped drive the boom.
More than 400 foreign investment projects have been licensed in the first half of this year, including several in poorer regions such as Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Son La.
During the first five months of 2007, foreigners also invested $2.1 billion to build workshops and equip new facilities, an increase of 30 per cent compared to the same period of last year.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment is to ask the Prime Minister to issue an instruction on attracting foreign investment and issue a call for domestic investment capital for 2006-10.
Oil and gas deadlines
Dung has urged Technip, the general contractor of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery plant, to do everything possible to ensure the plant starts operation in February, 2009.
The PM also instructed various ministries, agencies and contractors to implement various projects and ensure that the country’s key oil and gas projects finish on time in Government Office Official Letter, No 2999/VNCP-DK.
Technip needs to co-ordinate with the project management consultants to monitor closely the manufacture and installation of equipment for the oil refinery plant in accordance with the required standards, including the country of origin of the equipment. They should provide the design blueprints to the Vietnamese sub-contractors as soon as possible, so they can keep up with their deadlines.
The winning contractors of packages 5A and 5B must discuss and co-ordinate their projects so that construction is completed with minimum inflation to their approved budget.
The COMA contractor are to organise the bid for Engineering Procurement Construction Contract (EPC) No 7 as soon as possible, procure the necessary equipment as well as complete its contracts.
Vietsovpetro contractor must complete the equipment installation as soon as possible at Ca Mau gas fired electricity and fertiliser project, so that it will begin generating electricity from December 2007.
Finally the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to consider and approve a proposal to grant bonuses, equivalent to half a month salary, to employees working at the Dung Quat Oil Refinery Plant. — VNS
But Dung said many projects were progressing slowly because of shortcomings in management, especially complicated administrative procedures that have hindered investors.
He presided over a conference to review the implementation of investment plans during the first half of the year and ways to implement plans for the last six months.
Cumbersome mechanisms, disparate guidelines from ministries and regional governments, weak consultation regimes and slow site clearance all hampered investment, he said.
The PM asked ministries and business leaders to find solutions to construction delays, especially for key projects.
He asked the Ministry of Finance to review capital sources, State bonds and development aid to assure money for construction.
He also asked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to work out mechanisms for investors and strengthen its management of basic construction projects.
According to the ministry, total social spending in the first six months of this year rose to VND195 trillion, accounting for 43 per cent of yearly targets and 38.4 per cent of GDP. Of this figure, the State budget accounted for VND42.4 trillion and capital from credit sources was VND10.3 trillion.
Record investment
Viet Nam posted a record US$5.2 billion in foreign investment during the first five months of this year, according to the Government’s website.
The country also recorded a growth rate of more than 30 per cent in fields like capital investment, exports and tax collection.
According to economists, the Government’s decision to open ‘sensitive’ sectors, including seafood, garments and electronics import and export, to foreign investors helped drive the boom.
More than 400 foreign investment projects have been licensed in the first half of this year, including several in poorer regions such as Thai Nguyen, Ha Giang, Cao Bang and Son La.
During the first five months of 2007, foreigners also invested $2.1 billion to build workshops and equip new facilities, an increase of 30 per cent compared to the same period of last year.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment is to ask the Prime Minister to issue an instruction on attracting foreign investment and issue a call for domestic investment capital for 2006-10.
Oil and gas deadlines
Dung has urged Technip, the general contractor of the Dung Quat Oil Refinery plant, to do everything possible to ensure the plant starts operation in February, 2009.
The PM also instructed various ministries, agencies and contractors to implement various projects and ensure that the country’s key oil and gas projects finish on time in Government Office Official Letter, No 2999/VNCP-DK.
Technip needs to co-ordinate with the project management consultants to monitor closely the manufacture and installation of equipment for the oil refinery plant in accordance with the required standards, including the country of origin of the equipment. They should provide the design blueprints to the Vietnamese sub-contractors as soon as possible, so they can keep up with their deadlines.
The winning contractors of packages 5A and 5B must discuss and co-ordinate their projects so that construction is completed with minimum inflation to their approved budget.
The COMA contractor are to organise the bid for Engineering Procurement Construction Contract (EPC) No 7 as soon as possible, procure the necessary equipment as well as complete its contracts.
Vietsovpetro contractor must complete the equipment installation as soon as possible at Ca Mau gas fired electricity and fertiliser project, so that it will begin generating electricity from December 2007.
Finally the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to consider and approve a proposal to grant bonuses, equivalent to half a month salary, to employees working at the Dung Quat Oil Refinery Plant. — VNS
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