Vietnam's Economic Strategies Applauded by Multilaterals




HANOI, Dec 6 Asia Pulse - Vietnam has received a positive report card from multilateral institutions, who have praised the country's industrialisation and international integration and predicted that strong economic growth will continue.

But there is also a warning that Vietnam will need to reform its banking system and mobilise more investment from its people's savings and private enterprises, if it wants to realise its ambitious modernisation agenda.

Vietnam recognized to have eliminated polio



Ha Noi, Dec. 6 (VNA) -- Viet Nam was officially recognized on Oct. 29 to have eliminated polio, making the Western Pacific a polio-free region, announced senior officials at a news briefing in Ha Noi on Dec. 6.

The recognition means that Viet Nam has reached the World Health Organization (WHO) target for eliminating the disease throughout the globe by 2005, five years ahead of schedule.

Customs and security fees on foreign flights

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh on Dec. 5,2000 provided details on a recent decision by the Finance Ministry regarding rates of customs and security fees levied on foreign flights to Vietnamese airports as following:

"On 13 November 2000, the Finance Ministry issued Decision 179/2000/QD/BTC on rates of customs and security fees levied on foreign flights to Vietnamese airports.

Vietnam promotes child care efforts




Ha Noi, Dec. 5 (VNA) -- Vietnamese children have received help to improve their health, education and adequate nutrition, said a report at a conference jointly held in Ha Noi on Dec. 4 by the General Statistics Office (GSO) and the UNICEF.

Viet Nam's child manutrition rate stands at 33 percent and more than 93 percent of primary school-aged children are enrolled in classes, according to a study by the GSO.

ASEM discuss combination of traditional and modern medicines




Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- About 200 medical experts from all the 13 member-countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) are participating in a Ha Noi international conference discussing the combined use of traditional and modern medicines in treating difficult diseases.

The Dec. 4-5 conference is being held in response to Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's initiative to combine traditional and modern medicines was raised at the second ASEM held in London in April 1998.

UNESCO Director -General visits Vietnam




Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, Director-General Koichiro Matsuura arrived in Ha Noi today, Dec.4, to begin a three-day visit to Viet Nam as guest of Foreign Minister, Nguyen Dy Nien.

Speaking at a dinner in honour of his guest, the Foreign Minister said that he appreciated UNESCO's role in international cooperation since its emergence 55 years ago and thanked the UN agency for its long-term help to Viet Nam in education, science and culture.--VNA

Construction of Noi Bai - Bac Ninh road




Ha Noi, Dec. 4(VNA) -- Work started on Dec. 1 for construction of a 33.91 km-long road section stretching from Noi Bai International Airport to Bac Ninh on Highway 18 (km 3+300).

The project will be conducted at a total cost of VND 433 billion (USD 30 million) coming from Japan's ODA capital by the Da River Corporation, the Thang Long Corporation and the Northern Civil Engineering in 24 months.

Computer Science seeks way to narrow regional development gap



Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- Officially recognised as the spearhead of the national industrialization and modernization, the fledgling information technology sector is set to receive greater investment to catch up with other economies in the region and the world as a whole into next decade, confirmed the Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment.

UNCTAD report on Vietnam renovation process



Dec. 4 (VNA) -- The Doi Moi (renovation) policy of Viet Nam has accelerated the country's progress towards industrialization and integration into regional and global markets, accompanied by the active participation of foreign investors, according to a report released recently by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Foreign Honoury Consuls accepted in Vietnam




Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- The Viet Nam Government has accepted the appointment of honoury consuls by countries having diplomatic ties with Viet Nam.

The appointees will oversee general consulates, consulates, deputy general consulates, or consulate agencies in accordance with newly-promulgated regulations.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam signed Decision numbered 139/2000/QD-TTg proclaiming the Regulations for Honoury Consuls on Dec. 4.

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