64% of HIV/AIDS carriers are drug addicts




Ha Noi, March 9 (VNA) -- As many as 64 percent of nearly 30,000 detected HIV/AIDS carriers are drug addicts, reported a seminar on HIV/AIDS epidemiological surveillance held in Ha Noi on March 9.

Localities having high rates of HIV/AIDS patients among drug addicts include central and southern provinces with 89.36 percent; northern Hai Phong port city, 74 percent, and central coastal Nha Trang city, 49 percent.

Garment and textile industry to increase production


Ha Noi, March 10 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's garment and textile industry plans to earn USD 5 billion a year from exports in the next five years.

And the National Garment and Textile Corporation is implementing 150 projects capitalized at VND 5,000 billion, about USD 357 million, to renovate equipment in its affiliate companies to achieve this goal.

In addition, the corporation will invest in building two garment and textile industrial zones in northern Hung Yen province and southern Dong Nai province.

FM Spokespeson on FIR control over East Sea



Ha Noi, Mar. 10 (VNA) -- The International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO's, recent agreement for a test application of an air-route structure over the East Sea does not concern the issue of national sovereignty over the archipelagoes and the waters of the East Sea, said a Foreign Ministry spokesperson on March 10.

The spokesperson was responding to questions from some reporters to an article published by Hong Kong's Mingbao on Mar. 8 about flight information region (FIR) control over the East Sea.

Torward sustainable development in Gia Lai province




Ha Noi, Mar. 8 (VNA) -- Life for the minority people in Central Highlands Gia Lai province has constantly improved as a result of remarkable achievements the local people have made in their efforts to realise the Doi moi, Renovation, policy charted by the Communist Party in 1986.

Official statistics show that Gia Lai's yearly average gross domestic product, GDP, growth rate was 10.4 percent during the years of renovation. Gia Lai, one of the poorest provinces in Viet Nam, has strived for sustainable development from a very low starting point.

Promote FDI in Central and Central Highland




Ha Noi, March 7 (VNA) -- A seminar for promoting the implementation of foreign direct investment, FDI, projects in central and central highland provinces was held in Da Nang on March 6 and 7 by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP, and the Planning and Investment Ministry.

ESCAP's Japanese-funded Dong Duong, Indochina, investment project faced difficulties during 2000-2001, the seminar discussed the advantages and difficulties of the FDI projects and recommended ways to enhance foreign investment in Viet Nam.

Thai Gov't continues strengthening ties with Vietnam



Ha Noi, March 7 (VNA) -- Thailand's new government would continue strengthening its friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Viet Nam, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said in Ha Noi on March 7.

Vietnamese leaders promote ties with Thailand




Ha Noi, March 7 (VNA)-- President Tran Duc Luong and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai told visiting Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai in Ha Noi today, March 7, that Viet Nam would always attach importance to enhancing the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Thailand. They said also that the two countries should work harder to boost bilateral ties for mutual and regional benefit.

Equal access to education for female students




Ha Noi, March 7 (VNA) -- Thirty secondary school female students from mountain and remote provinces gathered in Ha Noi today, March 7, to share their experiences and concerns on improving the education quality for girls in those areas.

Vietnam first petrol plant &biggest fertilizer plant to be built



Ha Noi, Mar. 7 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's first petrol plant and biggest nitrogenous fertilizer plant will be built in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

A contract to build the 340,000 tonne-per-year petrol plant was signed between the Gas Processing and Business Company and the joint venture company between the Machinery Installation and Construction Company 45-1 and Taiwan's CTCI Corporation on Mar. 6.

Construction of the petrol plant is estimated to cost USD 17 million and is scheduled to be completed in 2003.

National week on labor safety and working conditions




Ha Noi, March 7 (VNA) -- Safe working conditions for labourers will be the focus of a national week on labour safety and hygiene, fire and explosion prevention which will be held in all 61 provinces and cities from March 18-24.

The week, the third of its kind, is jointly organised by the Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, Public Security, Public Health, and Trade Ministries, and the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL).

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