Rural and agricultural development plan in 2001




Ha Noi, Feb. 5 (VNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Cong Tan has identified several ways to develop agriculture and rural areas this year.

He told a two-day conference to launch a plan for agriculture and rural development in 2001, which opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Feb. 5, that the Government must coordinate with the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry, provincial People's Committees and enterprises in seeking markets and helping farmers sell all their farm produce, particularly to Russia and China.

Vietnam targets 19,2billion USD in export in 2001


Ha Noi, Feb. 5 (VNA) -- Viet Nam has set a total export turnover target of USD 19.2 billion for this year, or a year-on-year increase of 16 percent.

Relevant ministries and agencies, representatives as well as representatives of export-import enterprises from all southern provinces economic sectors conferred in Ho Chi Minh City today, Feb. 5, to discus how to accelerate export activities.

Cambodia's FM visit to boosts bilateral cooperation


Ha Noi, Feb. 5 (VNA) -- A visit to Viet Nam by Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong is intended to boost comprehensive bilateral cooperation between the two countries, said President Tran Duc Luong.

Development support fund for rural and mountainous areas



Ha Noi, Feb. 5 (VNA) -- The Government's Development Support Fund will mobilize VND 25,000 billion (USD 1.8 billion) for development credit to benefit rural and mountainous areas this year.

The fund is providing loans to 3,213 projects with a combined capital of VND 58,630 billion (USD 4.2 billion).

In 2000, the fund's debt balance posted a year-on-year increase of 52.6 percent to VND 9,400 billion (USD 671 million), and its disbursement rate, 81.4 percent - the highest rate over the past six years.

8,500 die in natural calamities, traffic & work accidents in 2000


Ha Noi, Feb. 5 (VNA) -- A total of 8,500 people were killed throughout Viet Nam by natural calamities, traffic and workplace accidents in 2000.

The natural calamities in the Mekong delta, southeastern region and central highlands killed 680 people, injured 212 and caused losses estimated at VND 4,730 billion.

The calamities swept away 8,300 houses, submerged one million more and damaged 483,000 ha of rice and subsidiary food crops and many irrigation systems and roads.

Vietnam soccer team for World Cup 2002


Ha Noi, Feb. 4 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's 30-member soccer team left Ha Noi this evening, Feb. 4, for World Cup 2002 qualifying matches of Asia's Group 10, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from Feb. 8-19.

The delegation, led by Vice President of the Viet Nam Football Association (VFA) le The Tho, includes 22 players and Brazilian-born coach Edson Silva Dido.

Increases in Rubber industry



Ha Noi, Feb. 4 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's yearly rubber production has soared by an average of between 10-12 percent but only 15-20 percent of it is used in the country, reports the Viet Nam Rubber Corporation (VRC).

VRC General Director Le Quang Thung says most of the country's latex is exported with almost 70 percent going to China. Last year, Viet Nam exported USD 170 million worth of latex.

Cambodia FM Hor Namhong visits Vietnam



Ha Noi, Feb. 4 (VNA) -- Cambodian Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hor Namhong began an official visit to Viet Nam today, Feb. 4.

The visit, made at the invitation of Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, aims to discuss measures to boost friendship and comprehensive coooperation between the two countries.

Measures to implement 2001 socio-economic plan



Ha Noi, Feb. 3 (VNA)-- Reality had proved the orientations for renovation correct and they must be continued in order to raise the leading role, working capacity and efficiency of the central and local governments, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said in Ho Chi Minh City this afternoon, Feb. 3.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the closing session of a three-day Cabinet meeting to discuss measures for implementing the 2001 socio-economic plan.

NA Chairman launches tree-planting festival in Ha Noi




Ha Noi, Feb. 3 (VNA) -- National Assembly Chairman Nong Duc Manh launched this year's tree-planting festival in Ha Noi's outlying district of Gia Lam in morning, Feb. 3.

Chairman Manh said that the yearly tree planting festival, initiated by President Ho Chi Minh in 1960, had become a fine tradition. He hoped that all people throughout the country in general, and the district in particular, would take part in the festival.

The tree-planting festival began in Ha Noi Feb. 1.

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