Government News 25/1 HCM City, Miyagi prefecture seek multi-faceted cooperation   Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen (L) and Kawabata Akiyoshi, Vice Governor of Miyagi prefecture.  Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen has suggested HCM City and Japan’s Miyagi prefecture step up cooperation in tourism development. At a reception for Kawabata Akiyoshi, Vice Governor of Miyagi, in HCM City on January 25, Tuyen said the two localities share many similarities and have favourable conditions for tourism collaboration. The official expressed his hope that the two sides will soon implement an intensive cooperation plan, especially in tourism. Tuyen also lauded Miyagi’s cooperation efforts in trade and education, calling for stronger affiliation in higher and tertiary education. HCM City will facilitate the operation of Japanese investors, including those from Miyagi, he said. For his part, Kawabata Akiyoshi thanked people of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City for their interest in commercial activities of Miyagi businesses, which, he said, has been reflected through increasing turnovers of Miyagi seafood firms in Aeon Mall chains in Vietnam. The launch of the direct air route from Vietnam to Miyagi has helped promote exchange and cooperation between HCM City and the Japanese prefecture, he said. Kawabata Akiyoshi said many Miyagi firms have planned to access the Vietnamese market in general and the HCM City market in particular and many others have partnered with Vietnam to train Vietnamese students in preparation for their business in HCM City. President urges business renovation for sustainable development    President Tran Dai Quang urges business renovation for sustainable development.   Vietnamese enterprises, especially those in private sector, must unceasingly renovate themselves and take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution for their sustainable development while contributing to national growth, said President Tran Dai Quang. He made the call at the launch of the “entrepreneurship innovation programme for national sustainable development” held by the Vietnam Private Business Association in Hanoi on January 25. The programme is an important move in implementing the Party and State’s resolution and instructions on developing the private economic sector and promoting the role of local businesspeople in national construction and protection, the President highlighted. He went on to say that domestic enterprises should study and apply advanced technology to enhance labour productivity and competitive and business management capacity, and take the initiative in joining global value chains and building Vietnamese brands. The President ordered ministries, agencies and local administrations to enhance communication work to raise public awareness of the Party and State’s consistent policies to develop the private economic sector. On the occasion, the State leader lauded the Vietnam Private Business Association’s giant stride in the past time. It has joined hands with relevant organisations to carry out the Party and State’s socio-cultural-economic development policies and made significant contributions to alleviating poverty and ensuring social security in the country. Since the launch of the “Doi moi” (reform), the Vietnamese economy has been operating under the socialist-oriented market mechanism and the Party and State have encouraged the roles of private sector in the nation’s development. Most recently, the 12th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee adopted a resolution on “developing the private economy into an important driving force of the socialist-oriented market economy” at its fifth plenary meeting on May 10, 2017. Foreign diplomats, representatives learn about Vietnam    Some foreigners, including diplomats, learned about Vietnam in an event in Hanoi on January 25.  Some 90 foreign diplomats and representatives from international organisations, non-governmental organisations and cultural centres, learned about Vietnam in a session hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi on January 25. They got to know more about the country’s culture, history and economic achievements together with its priorities and policies for 2018, towards 2020. The session “Learn about Vietnam” was held when Tet, the Lunar New Year festival of Vietnamese, is approaching, with a view to giving the foreigners a better understanding of Vietnam’s traditions, said Pham Sanh Chau, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Special Representative of the Prime Minister on UNESCO Affairs. The event is expected to boost friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries, he added. About 200 foreign diplomats take up new missions in Vietnam every year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the “Learn about Vietnam” event annually since 2015 to provide them deeper insights into life in Vietnam. India’s Republic Day observed in HCM City    At the ceremony to mark the 69th anniversary of India's Republic Day   The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on January 25 to celebrate the 69th anniversary of India’s Republic Day (January 26, 1950). Chairman of the Vietnam-India Friendship Association in HCM City Huynh Thanh Lap highlighted the increasingly important role and position of India in Asia and the world. The close friendship between Vietnam and India originated in not only cultural interaction and religious similarity but also solidarity in their fight against colonialism for independence, he said. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1972, the bilateral relations have been thriving through high-level delegation exchanges, the signing and effective implementation of cooperation agreements, and sound coordination at regional and international forums, he added. Indian Consul General in HCM City K Srikar Reddy highlighted the deep mutual trust and assistance between Vietnam and India during the wartime. The bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, established in 2007, has been tightened and developed across the board, particularly in culture, science-technology, aerospace research, defence-security, trade-investment, garment-textile, pharmaceutical products, electricity, petroleum and natural gas. The Indian Consulate General in HCM City will continue coordinating with the VUFO and the Vietnam-India Friendship Association in the city to increase bilateral art, culture and people-to-people exchanges in addition to linking businesses of the two countries to cement their friendly relations. Party delegation pays working visit to China   Mr. Pham Minh Chinh (left) and his Chinese counterpart Chen Xi   Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Chen Xi in Beijing on January 24, as part of Chinh’s working visit to China starting January 23. At the function, the sides informed each other on recent affairs related to their parties. They expressed delight at outcomes of cooperation in party building and personnel training between the Communist Parties of Vietnam and China and measures to push forward engagements in the future. Chen stated that the Chinese Party, Government, and people are committed to working with their Vietnamese counterparts to deepen bilateral ties. Stressing that the Vietnamese Party and Government always value the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, Chinh suggested both sides focus on increasing political trust, high-level delegation exchanges, and collaboration between their ministries, sectors, and localities. He also called for joint work to improve the effectiveness of economic-trade-investment affiliations and handle well sea-related issues. Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese party delegation had separated meetings with officials of the Communist Party of China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Organization Department, with discussion revolving around party building, human resources training, and anti-corruption.  On January 23, the delegation visited the Vietnam Embassy in China. Vietnam, France hold high-level economic dialogue    A Vietnam – France high-level economic dialogue took place in Hanoi on January 24 under the chair of Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen The Phuong and French Minister of State Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne. At the event, Phuong said France is Vietnam’s top partner in EU, with Vietnamese and French businesses gaining footholds in each other’s markets, particularly concerning agricultural products. Vietnam is willing to facilitate the import of French goods and work with the EU country in handling trade barriers, Phuong stated. Highlighting the importance of bilateral cooperation to date, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne pointed to new investment and business opportunities to be brought about when the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement comes into force. He said France wants to share experience with Vietnamese partners in the sectors of transport, environment food, and banking. The dialogue reviewed a number of French projects in Vietnam, including the Hanoi urban railway No. 3, and put forth cooperative orientations for the future. The sides encouraged their business community to study the feasibility of investment in areas that see high demand in Vietnam, such as climate change adaptation, agricultural-rural development, and sustainable use of natural resources, smart city building, and oil refinery. In 2017, bilateral trade between Vietnam and France reached 5.6 billion USD, up 11.6 percent from 2016, with Vietnam recording a trade surplus. In the past 10 years, France has sponsored many ODA projects, with total disbursed capital amounting to about 2 billion EUR. More Japanese firms explore HCM City’s investment climate    Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong on January 24 met with a delegation of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and Japanese businesses who came to learn about local investment climate. Phong told his guests that HCM City is one of the Vietnamese localities that attract Japanese investors’ interest. It is aware that foreign investors’ success will contribute to local socio-economic development, and that the success of both domestic and foreign firms are also the success of the city. He affirmed that HCM City wants Japanese investors to continue doing business here, capitalise on its potential and advantages, and combine them with Japanese companies’ advanced technology and proper business strategies to benefit both sides. The official also appreciated JETRO’s HCM City office’s role in supporting cooperation between HCM City and Japanese businesses. He expressed his hope that through JETRO, companies from Japan will take part in projects in smart city building and other fields in his city. Vice Executive President of JETRO Yasukazu Irino highly valued HCM City’s attractiveness to foreign investors, including those from Japan. The rapidly increasing number of members of the Japan Business Association in HCM City demonstrates the city’s success in improving the investment climate. He thanked the municipal authorities for creating favourable conditions for Japanese enterprises to seek market, promote trade, and get investment licences. He asked the city’s leaders for more optimal conditions for Japanese firms, especially small- and medium-sized companies working in support industries. Japan now has 1,116 investment projects worth nearly 4 billion USD in HCM City, ranking sixth among 93 countries and territories investing here. Logo designed to celebrate Vietnam-France diplomatic ties   The official logo of the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic ties  The official logo of the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam-France diplomatic ties was unveiled at an event in Hanoi on January 24. Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan and Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne co-chaired the event to begin activities to celebrate the 45-year diplomatic relations and five-year strategic partnership in 2018. The logo features the image of a Vietnamese woman wearing a “non la” (palm-leaf conical hat) and a red “ao dai” (traditional dress) holding hands with a French woman wearing a beret and a white blue plaid dress. It will be used at all events celebrating the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties. Quan said relations between Vietnam and France have developed well over the past 45 years, creating opportunities for the two sides to promote exchanges in all fields for the benefits of their citizens and for peace, cooperation, and development. Lemoyne said 2018 will mark a milestone in the development of Vietnam-France ties. He called on the two countries to step up activities in external affairs, economics, trade, education and investment, particularly completing French assistance projects in Vietnam soon such as the pilot urban railway in Hanoi and the French Institute in Ho Chi Minh City. Friendship year contributes to Vietnam’s diplomatic successes in 2017   The national steering committee for the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year holds a meeting on January 24 to review its activities   The Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year and the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year were successful, contributing to Vietnam’s diplomatic achievements in 2017, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. He made the remark at a meeting on January 24 reviewing activities of the national steering committee for the Year. He said Vietnam’s relations with neighbouring Laos and Cambodia were continually reinforced in all aspects last year. During the Year, Vietnam and Laos coordinated in organising more than 170 celebratory activities and exchanging nearly 300 delegations from central to local levels. Meanwhile, Vietnam and Cambodia held nearly 70 celebratory activities and almost 100 mutual visits at all levels. Cooperation between Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities with their Lao and Cambodian counterparts was implemented effectively in politics-security-defence, transport, training, culture, health care, and telecommunications, Minh said, noting that bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been maintained and proved effective. He added diverse people-to-people diplomatic activities were organised. Many agencies, sectors, and organisations in Vietnam opened contests on Vietnam-Laos and Vietnam-Cambodia ties, sports and arts programmes, and photo exhibitions on their solidarity, friendship, and all-round connections. Media outlets of the three countries also posted a number of articles on Vietnam-Laos and Vietnam-Cambodia relations. The Deputy PM affirmed that with diverse activities, the Year helped improve the awareness of the countries’ traditional ties among Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian people, especially young generations. He also applauded efforts and contributions by ministries, sectors, localities, and organisations to the Year. As Laos and Cambodia are especially important to Vietnam’s security, stability and development and Vietnam’s sound relations with the two neighbours have been nurtured for generations, Vietnam must pay even greater attention to enhancing the solidarity, friendship, and sustainable cooperation with them, he stressed. Minh asked local ministries, sectors, localities, organisations, and businesses to bring into play the outcomes of the Year to promote comprehensive cooperation with Laos and Cambodia for the sake of each country’s people. Vietnamese-funded headquarters of Cambodian army inaugurated   Chief Vietnamese Defence Attaché to Cambodia Nguyen Anh Dung  The new headquarters of the High Command of the Royal Cambodian Army, funded by the Vietnamese Defence Ministry, was inaugurated in Phnom Penh on January 24.  The inauguration ceremony took place on the occasion of the 19th founding anniversary of the high command.  Speaking at the event, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army Meas Sophea said the headquarters and other buildings funded by the Vietnamese Defence Ministry have contributed to upgrading Cambodia’s army infrastructure, thus safeguarding national sovereignty and maintaining political stability and social order.  Recounting the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers’ dedication to saving Cambodians from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime in the past, he affirmed that the Cambodian army and people always highly value the long-standing friendly neighborliness with Vietnam and will do their best to foster bilateral ties.  The event was also attended by chief Vietnamese Defence Attaché to Cambodia Nguyen Anh Dung. Vietnam, Japan deepen defence cooperative ties   Minister of Defence Ngo Xuan Lich (R) and his Japanese guest (Photo: qdnd.vn)  Vietnamese and Japanese armies need to enhance cooperation in delegation exchanges, policy dialogues, training, experience sharing and UN peacekeeping activities. Minister of Defence Ngo Xuan Lich made the suggestion while receiving Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Umeda Kunio in Hanoi on January 24. Vietnam and Japan have fostered their ties in a comprehensive manner with increasing political trust for benefits of the two peoples as well as regional and global peace and sustainability, he noted.  Vietnam wants to work with Japan in the settlement of post-war chemical toxin consequences through projects, Lich said. Ambassdor Umeda Kunio, for his part, underlined that bilateral ties have been fostered in all fields and the two governments have consistently agreed to support each other at regional and international forums. Both sides need to expand cooperation in the fields of their strengths and promote dialogue mechanisms, he recommended. VNA/VNN