VNA
NA discusses socio-economic tasks The National Assembly held group discussions on November 22 on the implementation of socio-economic tasks and this year's State budget, as well as orientations, tasks and an estimate of the State budget for next year. They also discussed the five-year socio-economic development plan between now and 2005. Most deputies agreed with the government's report, presented by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai at the opening session of the National Assembly, saying "Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year is estimated at about 7%, 0.5% lower than planned but still higher than last year and much higher than in other regional countries." Many praised the government's endeavours to narrow the gap of development between different areas through the implementation of policies and programmes such as the on-going national hunger elimination and poverty reduction programme, the programme on socio-economic development in remote and isolated areas, and the afforestation programme. "In particular, many major infrastructure projects were completed or are still under construction this year, including the Ho Chi Minh National Highway, roads and bridges, and electricity supply systems," they said. Many deputies highlighted big changes in Vietnam's economic structure, saying "Many localities have shifted from rice cultivation to fruit tree farming or aqua-culture. There has also been an expansion of product processing industries for export." "However," they said, "Vietnam still imports a great deal of raw material and additives to feed industries, including cotton, fibre, milk, leather and salt." Some deputies analysed the main reasons for the failure to fully achieve five important goals: GDP growth, agriculture-forestry-fisheries production, services, export value, as well as a goods and consumer service price index. They also pointed to the need to build a transparent national financial system on all social and economic levels, regarding this as the most important measure for developing a socialist-oriented market economy. (VNA) **** Vietnam, Finland sign deal on double taxation avoidance Vietnam and Finland signed an agreement on avoiding double taxation and preventing income tax evasion during a four-day visit to Finland by a Vietnamese government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam from November 18. During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Cam met with Finnish Prime Minister, Paavo Lipponen, and Parliamentary President, Ms Riita Uosukeinen, held talks with the Minister of Development Co-operation and Environment, Satu Hassi, and held a working session with Minister of Trade Kimmo Sasi. He also attended a seminar for Vietnamese and Finnish business people and visited a number of economic, scientific and technological institutions. At the meetings, the Vietnamese Deputy PM expressed thanks to the Finnish government and people for 30 years of support and assistance to Vietnam during the struggle for independence, reunification, and the national construction. Deputy Prime Minister Cam expressed his wish that, as a member of the European Union, Finland would continue helping Vietnam to further strengthen its co-operation with the EU and support its eventual inclusion in the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Vietnam appreciated Finnish-assisted programmes in safe water supply, environment, rural development, hunger eradication, poverty reduction, and health care, which have contributed to socio-economic development in Vietnam. The Finnish leaders expressed sentiments of solidarity and friendship with Vietnam and applauded Vietnam's achievements in the renovation process and its implementation of an open-door foreign policy. They affirmed that Vietnam is one of Finland's important and long-term partners and has great potential. The Finnish leaders pledged to continue granting ODA priority to Vietnam and to encourage and create favourable conditions for Finnish enterprises to enhance their co-operation with Vietnamese partners in the fields of trade, investment, science and technology, and hi-tech co-operation. (VNA) **** Vietnam attends EWEC ministerial meeting Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien attended a ministerial meeting between Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Japan, held in Mudakhan town of Thailand on Thursday. On the agenda were the proposed construction of a second bridge spanning the Mekong river between Laos and Thailand and the development of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) from Thailand to Vietnam via Laos. The participants reviewed construction preparations for a second bridge linking Thailand's Mudakhan province and Laos's Savannakhet province across the Mekong river. They also discussed the upgrade of the Lao section of Highway 9 and the Da Nang section of Vietnam's Highway 1, leading to the port of Da Nang in Vietnam. They noted that these construction projects will help boost economic development, trade and tourism between Vietnam, Laos and Thailand as well as promote Mekong sub-regional co-operation. The construction of the new bridge is scheduled to be completed by 2005, the upgrade of Highway 9 in Laos by 2003 and Vietnam's Highway 1 by 2004. (VNA) **** Efforts made to overcome flood aftermath, restore production Local administrations of the storm and flood-hit provinces are giving assistance to the locals to help them promptly restore their agricultural production. Quang Ngai province will invest about VND 279 billion for agricultural production and another VND 757 million to apply advanced science and technology and new strains into production. The province is striving to gain a food productivity of 360,000 tonnes. Long An province's health sector has provided flooded areas in Dong Thap Muoi (the Plain of Reeds) three more medical boats. About six to 15 health workers have been sent to each commune to help the locals clean up the environment after the floods. Tan Tru district of Long An province has invested VND 2 billion to build 24 irrigation works to provide water to 80% of the cultivated land of the winter-spring crop. With loans to overcome the aftermath of the floods, Can Tho province has planted over 30,000 hectares of assorted fruit trees and is expected to gain an output of 195,000 tonnes of fruits this year. Tran Van Thoi district of the Ca Mau southernmost province has invested VND 570 million to repair the dyke and dam system damaged during the last wet season. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
