Veterans' business association holds first congress in Ha Noi HA NOI (VNS)- The Viet Nam Veterans Business Association (VVBA) yesterday held its first congress with the participation of 260 delegates representing more than 5,000 war veteran entrepreneurs nationwide. Opening the event, Le Thanh Tam, Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Veterans Association Central Committee, stated that the VVBA is a voluntary socio-professional association gathering war veterans who are now involved in business activities in the country. The goal of the association is to promote economic development in general, while supporting its members in their business operations, he said. Addressing the event, President Truong Tan Sang said that under the doi moi (renewal) policy, many war veterans started their own businesses and reaped success, thus not only becoming rich themselves but also contributing to poverty reduction and the country's development. The establishment of the VVBA marks an important event for the socio-economic life of the war veterans, he said, adding that the association should also take care of less fortunate war invalids and veterans. The president stressed that the association should also perform the task of educating its members on the policies of the Party and State, while protecting the legitimate rights of its members and gaining victory on the "economic battlefield". - VNS