Fisheries sector counts on technology to boost exports


Ha Noi, Feb. 25 (VNA) -- Fisheries Minister Ta Quang Ngoc believes technology renewal and facility restructuring will help the sector earn USD 1.6 billion from export this year.

"The sector plans to net 2.17 million tonnes of sea product with shrimp-for-export amounting to 120,000 tonnes. More than one-third of the output will come from the aquaculture. Frozen seafood - chiefly shrimp and squids - will rise to 325,000 tonnes," he says.

Aircargo route Ho Chi Minh city - Subic Bay



Feb. 23 (VNA) -- An air cargo route between Ho Chi Minh City and Subic Bay, the Philippines, openned on Feb. 23.

The five-flights-a-week service has been started by the U.S. Fedex Company with each flight carrying six tonnes of cargo.--VNA


Government pledges VND 15 billion for quake viictims



Ha Noi, Feb. 24 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai pledged VND 15 billion to help earthquake victims in Dien Bien Phu basin while visiting north-western Lai Chau province on Feb. 23.

In making the pledge, the Prime Minister urged the local administration and people to work together to quickly overcome all consequences of the disaster of Feb. 19 that affected nine of Lai Chau's 10 districts and towns and caused losses estimated at more than VND 60 billion.

Vietnamese leaders receive Cuban Foreign Minister




Ha Noi, Feb. 23 (VNA) -- President Tran Duc Luong and National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh both welcomed the talks between Vietnamese and Cuban Foreign Ministers as promoting friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

President Luong and Chairman Manh separately received the visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque on separately in Ha Noi today, Feb. 23.

Vietnam and Russia sign agreement




Ha Noi, Feb. 24 (VNA) -- Documents for cooperation between Viet Nam's Public Security Ministry and the Russian President's Liaison and Information Agency was signed in Ha Noi this afternoon, Feb. 24.

Signatories were Public Security Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Minh Huong and LIA General Director Sen. Lieut. Gen. V. G. Matchiukin.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Matchiukin is leading a high-ranking delegation to Viet Nam at the inviation of Sen. Lieut. Gen. Le Minh Huong.

Implementation of Mecong agreement reviewed




Feb. 24 (VNA) -- A conference to review Viet Nam's five-year implementation of the Mekong Agreement and discuss plans for economic development in the Mekong river basin was held in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb. 23.

The conference was told that Viet Nam actively took part in seven meetings of the Mekong River Commission Council, MRCC, and 12 meetings of the MRCC Union Committee held in four MRCC member countries, Viet Nam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand between 1995 and 2000.

Sustainable development plan for industrial sector



Ha Noi, Feb. 22 (VNA) -- Industry Minister Dang Vu Chu has identified boosting the production capacity and competitiveness of the industrial sector as the way to sustainable development.

In an interview with the Sai Gon Giai Phong, Liberated Sai Gon, daily, Chu says his ministry's 2001-2005 industrial development strategy is focussed on measures to increase efficiency and competitiveness to gain a bigger share in the domestic and global markets and boost productivity to meet local demand.

NA Standing committee calls for legal drafts completion



Ha Noi, Feb. 22 (VNA) -- The National Assembly's Standing Committee has called for completion of draft laws on cultural heritage and the customs service before its ninth session, which is scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

Members of the Standing Committee, who ended a five-day meeting on Feb. 19 in preparation for the ninth session of the National Assembly, agreed that the next session would focus on building the nation's legal system.

Healthcare: epidemic control and strengthen grassroot services




Feb. 23 (VNA) -- The health sector plans to actively prevent and control epidemics and strengthen grassroots medical services, particularly in remote and mountainous areas, this year.

The plans are just two of ten major tasks set by the sector for 2001 at a two-day conference ending in Ho Chi Minh City today, Feb. 23.

Strengthening all-people national defence education



Ha Noi, Feb. 21 (VNA) -- Improving the quality and efficiency of all-people national defence education to meet the requirement of defending the Socialist Repulic of Viet Nam in any situation is the main content of the directive issued by the Party Political Bureau on Feb. 12.

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