7-7.3% Economic growth in 2002

According to the government report, to attain the target of economic growth rate of 7-7.3%, the growth rate must be at least 7.5% in the second half of this year. This is a real and heavy task for the time to come.

The government has worked out 8 solution packages to be implemented in the second half of the year. VBF wishes to highlight six solution packages:

Vietnam hopes for expanded market after joining AFTA

Vietnam pins its hope on an expanded market once it becomes part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) in 2006, according to Deputy Minister of Trade Luong Van Tu.

"The most obvious benefit for the country when it fully implements the Common Effect Preferential Tariff (CEPT) regime under the AFTA scheme is to broaden outlets for locally-made products," the deputy trade minister said.

La Vang festival for Catholics from 25 dioceses nationwide

Quang Tri, Aug. 15 (VNA) -- Tens of thousands of Catholics from 25 dioceses nationwide flocked to the 26th La Vang festival which was organised in the central province of Quang Tri from Aug. 13-15.

The authorities and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Chapters of Quang Tri province, of Hai Lang district, and of Hai Phu commune created every favourable condition for the Catholics to practise their religion during the event.

East Asian development co-operation: FM Nien


Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien affirmed the value of lessons on economic development in combination with poverty reduction in Southeast Asian nations over the recent past.

Speaking at the ministerial meeting on East Asian initiatives for development held in Tokyo on Monday, August 12, Mr Nien said the development co-operation relations have effectively helped the Vietnamese government and people maintain the high economic growth and reduce poverty.

Vietnam's enormous achievements have been highly appreciated by the international donors' community, he said.

Program cuts Vietnam village malaria deaths to Zero

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Malaria continues to be a deadly scourge in much of the developing world, killing more than 2 million people each year. But the dramatic success of a pilot program conducted in a small Vietnamese village suggests the disease can be conquered.

According to experts at the United Nation's World Health Organization ( news - web sites), after just four years into the program, the 1,028 residents of Phan Tien saw their annual rate of malaria deaths plummet from 30 in 1994 to zero in 1998.

Orientation for Government’s action programme for 2002-2007

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai delivered a speech to the plenary session on August 8 of the current 11th National Assembly on the Orientation for the Action Programme of the government in the 2002-2007 term.

After reviewing the tremendous achievements recorded by Vietnam over the past 15 years of the renovation stage and highlighting advantages and difficulties which the country has been facing, the prime minister pointed to specific tasks for the government in this new term.

Vietnam Speeds up Tariff Reform


HANOI, Aug 9 Asia Pulse - With the 2006 deadline for slashing tariffs under ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) approaching, Vietnam is set to include 760 commodities in the Common Effective Preferential Tariff regime next year.
These items will be transferred from the Temporary Exclusion List to the Inclusion List.

Under a programme to accelerate AFTA accession, the country will include 80 per cent of all goods in the Inclusion List with tariffs of 0-5 per cent by 2003 as against the current target of 65 per cent by 2006.

Press Release of ActionAid Vietnam & VASEP on catfish in Vietnam

Catfish Farmers’ Livelihood under Threat from US trade sanctions

Vietnam makes active contribution to regional cooperation


Ha Noi, Aug. 7 (VNA) -- Viet Nam has made practical contributions to strengthening regional solidarity and cooperation since it joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 28, 1995.

Outcomes of the AMM 35 in Brunei and Vietnam's contribution

On August 1, 2002, the FM Spokesperson answers question on the outcomes of the AMM 35 organized in Brunei and Vietnam's contribution:

Answer: After two days of working, AMM 35 concluded successfully and adopted a joint communique.

Agreements of the meeting focussed on 3 issues, namely promoting regional integration, consolidating peace, stability and security and strenghthening unity in ASEAN.

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