Government News 26/7 Vietnam main partner of Asia-Pacific economic forum in Bayern Vietnam was chosen as a main partner of the 12th Asia-Pacific economic forum held in the German state of Bayern on July 23 with the engagement of nearly 200 businesses. Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh said Vietnam and Germany will celebrate the 40th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2015. Following the success of the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) organised in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2014, Vietnam was chosen as a main partner of the Asia-Pacific economic forum in Berlin, and this time in Bayern, she said. This has not just demonstrated the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations but also confirmed that Vietnam is a reliable market and ideal destination for German investors, she added. She said the Vietnamese Government has enacted measures to improve local business climate, create a legal framework to ensure publicity and transparency for foreign enterprises, and simplify administrative procedures. She highlighted political stability, improved legal system and administrative formalities, and skilled human resources as factors that make Vietnam to become more attractive to German firms. Additionally, the two countries established a strategic partnership framework in 2011, while the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement is going to be signed and the ASEAN Economic Community will take shape later this year. Moreover, more than 100,000 Vietnamese at home speak German and have wide knowledge about German culture, the Ambassador said, noting that close to 125,000 overseas Vietnamese are living and working in Germany. Lying at the heart of Bayern state, central Franken region and Nuremberg city play crucial role in Germany and Europe, gathering many large and medium-sized enterprises in car manufacturing, computing, health service, automation and machines production. With a population of 3.5 million, these areas count 150,000 registered businesses and 50,000 independent active individuals, generating jobs for 1.7 million workers. The total gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at 100 billion EUR and the proportion of exports reaches over 45 percent. Government issues 15 legal documents in June The Government and the PM issued 15 legal documents in this June, including seven Decrees of the Government and eight Decisions of the PM. Accordingly, Decree No. 54/2015/NĐ-CP on providing incentives for economical and efficient water use activities defines that preferential treatment will be given to economical and effective use of water, reuse of water and production and import of water-efficient equipment and technology. Decree No. 55/2015/ND-CP dated June 9, 2015 on the credit policy for agricultural and rural development stipulates the provision of loans for specific areas for agricultural and rural development, the State’s support policy, quotas of the loans and interest rates. Decree No. 56/2015/ND-CP on the criteria for evaluation and classification of cadres, civil servants and public employees is aimed at overcoming obstacles and shortcomings of current regulations and assisting the office heads to increase the quality of evaluation works among cadres, civil servants and public employees. Decree No. 58/2015/NĐ-CP on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Government’s Decree No. 192/2013/NĐ-CP on penalty for administrative violations and management and use of owned-State property, thrift practice and waste combat, national reserve and state treasure prescribes that pecuniary penalty from VND50-60 million will be given to wastes in investment capital. Decree No. 59/2015/NĐ-CP on construction project management stipulates principles of construction management, contractors, classification of construction projects, establishment, assessment and approval of construction projects. The Government's Decree No. 60/2015/NĐ-CP on amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 58/2012/NĐ-CP dated July 20, 2012 on providing specific provisions for the implementation of certain articles of the Law on Securities and the Law on amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Securities was released on June 26. Under the Decree, more room is offered to foreign investors to participate in Viet Nam's equities market. Decision No. 19/2015/QD-TTg dated June 15, 2015 of the PM prescribed criteria for identifying hi-tech enterprises. Under the Decision, hi-tech enterprises must satisfy the criteria which are defined at the Investment Law and meet three other criteria. Decision No. 22/2015/QĐ-TTg on transformation of public non-business units into joint stock companies stipulates the conditions, order and procedures to transform a public non-business into joint stock companies. Decision No. 23/2015/QĐ-TTg specifies the State mechanism of payment by means of land fund to investors in construction investment Projects in the form of Construction-Transfer. It aims to tackle difficulties and obstacles of the current regulations on payment by means of land fund to investors when they are carrying out construction projects in form of Construction-Transfer. Party delegation visits Laos for strengthening bonds A delegation of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations led by the commission’s chairman Hoang Binh Quan is on a working visit to Laos to strengthen bonds with their Lao counterparts. The delegation was received by the Party General Secretary and President of Laos Chummaly Sayasone on July 24, who appreciated the cooperation between the external relations commissions of the two Parties, saying that it contributes to strengthening the ties between the two countries. The Lao leader wished the two commissions would closely coordinate, increase exchanges and share experience to help each other successfully implement external policies of the Party of each country. He said he believes the Vietnamese Party and people would successfully organise grassroots party congresses as well as the 12th National Party Congress and confirmed that the Lao party and people always treasure the relationships with Vietnam. Hoang Binh Quan informed the Lao Party General Secretary of the social-economic situation in Vietnam in the first seven months of this year and preparations for the 12th Party Congress. He congratulated Laos on the achievements in internal and external policies and expressed his belief that the Lao people would overcome all difficulties and challenges to successfully implement the 9th Lao Party Congress’ resolution. He reiterated that Vietnam will try its utmost to preserve, promote and pass on to next generations the friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos for the prosperity, peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation held talks with their counterparts from the Lao Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations led by the commission’s head Sounthone Sayachath. The two sides informed each other of situation in each country, discussed emerging issues in the region and the world and made assessments on the progress and results achieved in the implementation of agreements signed by leaders of the two countries. They also reviewed coordination and cooperation between the two commissions and outlined cooperation orientations in the future with a focus on boosting coordination and cooperation in instructing ministries and local governments to ensure the successful implementation of the agreements signed by the two Parties and States. VNA bolsters cooperation with Mexican counterpart Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Notimex Mexican News Agency have signed a cooperation agreement for the 2015-2016 period to reciprocally provide domestic and international information services in news, photos, and audiovisual products. VNA Deputy General Director Nguyen Hoai Duong and Notimex Director General Alejandro Ramos Esquivel reached the consensus during the former’s working visit to Mexico on July 20-24. Both sides highly valued the implementation of information exchanges between the two news agencies over the past year. They discussed measures to put in place and improve the efficiency of cooperation agreements with focus on exchanges of news, photos, audio and visual products. Director General Alejandro underlined Notimex’s interest in Vietnam’s land, people, history, and culture as well as political and economic life and “doi moi” (reform) process since Asia is considered the most dynamic region in the world. He expressed his hope to expand cooperation with the VNA in the time ahead to contribute to the sound collaboration between the two countries. Deputy General Director Duong highlighted the significant role of Mexico and Notimex in Latin America, and agreed to seek measures to promote cooperation in exchanging information, professional experience, and training between the two agencies. During the working visit, Duong was welcomed by General Secretary of the Mexican Labour Party (PT) Alberto Anaya Gutierrez, who briefed his country’s current situation and reiterated friendship and solidarity towards Vietnamese people. The Mexican official also stressed his party’s determination to further cooperation with the Communist Party of Vietnam via the implementation of commitments under the bilateral cooperation programmes, including that with the VNA. On July 24, the VNA delegation led by Deputy General Director Nguyen Hoai Duong left Mexico for Cuba. HCM City fosters trade ties with RoK locality Ho Chi Minh City pledges to offer incentives for investors from the Republic of Korea (RoK) in trade and tourism in the city. Secretary of the municipal Party’s Committee Le Thanh Hai made the statement during a reception on July 24 for Major of Busan Suh Byung Soo who was in the city to attend a number of activities marking the 20th anniversary of twining ties between the two cities. The Busan 2015 Day, one of the activities to mark the event, was expected to strengthen the deep cooperative ties between the two localities as well as the mutual understanding between their residents, Hai said. Hai highlighted the increasing investments from Busan as well as other RoK localities in the city, and saying that their effective operation has made significant contributions to both cities’ development. For his part, Suh Byung Soo expressed his impression with the significant development the city has made over the past years. He expressed belief that the two cities would further promote comprehensive cooperation and friendship, thus consolidating the two countries’ relations. On the occasion, a series of cultural and art activities were arranged during the “Busan Day 2015” with the performance of both Vietnamese and Korean artists. The local authorities presented insignia and certificates of merits to four Busan individuals for their outstanding contributions to fostering friendship between the two cities. President Sang continues activities in Ba Ria Vung Tau State President Truong Tan Sang continued his working visit to the southeast province of Ba Ria Vung Tau on July 24 with trips to local enterprises and a meeting with fishermen at Cat Lo port in Vung Tau city. Talking with offshore fishermen, the President inquired into the implementation of Decree 67 on facilitating fisheries, the advantages and obstacles fishermen face and the export prospect of Vietnam’s fishery sector. The President spoke highly of Vung Tau city’s advantage in developing the fishing industry, which generated thousands of jobs for labourers. On the visit to the Phu My 3 industrial zone, the President praised Japanese investors for quickly implementing projects and called on investors to focus on fields suitable with Vietnam such as agricultural mechanics or transport. Phu My 3 is the result of the cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese governments, specializing in mechanics and electronics and is being built on an area of 1,050 hectares. Politburo member Rua tours Nghe An and Ha Tinh Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee To Huy Rua on July 24 worked with Nghe An Provincial Standing Committee on the central province’s socio-economic development during the first half of 2015, and preparations for the Provincial Party Congress for the 2015-2020 term. Reports by the local authorities at the meeting showed that Nghe An recorded a GDP growth rate of 6.51% in the first six months of 2015, higher than that in recent years, and higher than the national average of 6.28%. Nghe An has attracted several major investment projects such as the construction of VSIP industrial parks and commercial services by Becamex Binh Duong Group and Dong Hoi industrial zone construction by Hoa Sen Group. Total social development capital in the province is estimated at VND19.8 trillion, up 13.64% over the same period last year. Total budget revenue is forecast at VND3.96 trillion, up 13.7% year on year. Politburo member Rua, who is also Head of the Central Party Committee’s Commission for Organisation, praised the consensus in performing tasks by Nghe An’s officials and people. He urged the province to create further breakthroughs in socio-economic development and requested the Provincial Standing Committee to regularly monitor implementation of the locality’s set targets. The same day, Politburo member Rua inspected construction progress on the Formosa steel production complex and Son Duong deep-water port by Taiwanese Formosa Group in Ha Tinh province. The project is in its first phase with a total investment of US$10 billion, consisting of three major projects: Formosa Steel Plant (with a capacity of 10 million tonnes), the largest in Southeast Asia; a thermal power plant system; and Son Duong deep-water port (with 17 docks and a capacity of 30 million tonnes a year) capable of receiving vessels of 200,000 tonnes. The leader spoke highly of the importance of the project and expressed his belief that the project would facilitate the development of Ha Tinh in particular, and the country in general, on the path to international integration. He also praised efforts by the province in creating favourable conditions for investors during the project’s implementation. Deputy PM Hai encourages Yen Bai to focus on human resource development Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai led a government delegation to visit northern Yen Bai province on July 24 to work with local authorities on the province’s socio-economic situation. Giving his comments at a meeting with the province’s key leaders, Deputy PM Hai praised the efforts by the local Party committee, government and people in the implementation of socio-economic development tasks during the 2011-2015 period, especially in the field of modern rural area construction, vocational training for rural labourers, healthcare, education, and training development, and Party building work. He said that Yen Bai has huge potential for development, but inadequate human resources is among core issues that the province should pay more attention to in the coming time. In addition, he urged Yen Bai to take advantage of Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway running through the province, while improving the investment climate with a focus on simplifying administrative procedures and strengthening investment in infrastructure development to attract investors to the province. Yen Bai should facilitate economic restructuring associated with labour restructuring; improve the processing rate for agricultural products to raise the added value for some famous specialties of the province; and create favourable conditions for investors to gain easy access to local projects, prioritised policies and mechanisms. Deputy PM Hai also agreed with the province’s proposals to pour capital into resident reallocation programmes from dangerous areas due to flash floods and landslides within the framework of its climate change response programme, as well as support programmes on rural electricity development and a number of projects related to reservoirs and transportation projects promoting regional connectivity and the Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway. According to a report at the meeting, during the five-year period from 2011 to 2015, Yen Bai achieved comprehensive development, with average economic growth of 11.33% a year, agriculture and forestry development increased by 33%, industry and construction by 34%, services by 33%, and per capita income in 2015 reached VND25 million a year, increasing by 2.1 times compared to 2010. Earlier, Deputy PM Hai and the government delegation visited Deasung Global Company in Thinh Hung Industrial Complex in Hung Thinh commune (Yen Binh district) and YBB Calcium Carbonate Joint Venture Company in Van Tien commune (Yen Bai City). The Ministry of Information and Communications holds patriotic congress The Ministry of Information and Communications has warmly responded to a patriotic movement and the campaign to learn from President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example. Several ministry's line agencies and individuals have been awarded the titles heroes of the people’s armed forces and heroes of the renewal era. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addressed the Ministry’s patriotism congress on Friday: “Responding to President Ho Chi Minh’s patriotic emulation movement and the Politburo directive on emulation continue to be key tasks, especially in promoting professional innovation and dynamism.” The Ministry aims to raise telecom growth rate to 1.2 or 1.5 times higher than the GDP growth rate, bringing Vietnam into a list of countries classified by the United Nations as being ready for e-government. VNA/Nhan Dan/VGP