Near 7% of GDP for development




Ha Noi, Feb. 19 (VNA) -- Viet Nam will spend VND 32,860 billion, about USD 2,27 billion, or 6.6 percent of Gross Domestic Product, GDP, for development, while trying to keep budget overspending to less than five percent of GDP this year, says Finance Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung.

"Social investment must reach 30 percent of GDP, including 6.6 percent of GDP for development to ensure a GDP growth rate of 7.5 percent as set by the National Assembly," Hung says in an interview with Ha Noi Moi, New Ha Noi, newspaper today, Feb. 19.

More state budget money for education program




* Education and Training Service Receives VND 15,549 Billion from State Budget

The State Budget allocation for education and training services in 2001 will total VND 15,549 billion (USD 1.07 billion), says the Education and Training Ministry.

Of the allocation, VND 2,300 billion is for infrastructure; VND 415 billion for pre-school and general education, VND 75 billion for higher education and VND 90 billion for vocational training. The most, VND 12,649 billion, will go to localities and ministries and central agencies.

More state budget money for population program


Ha Noi, Feb. 19 (VNA) --
* State Provides VND 435 Billion for Population Activities

The polupation programme will receive VND 435 billion (USD 30 million) from this year's State Budget.

The figure was announced at the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, NCPFP, conference in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province to launch the 2001-2010 population strategy; announce the 2001 plan and review the campaign for extending reproductive health and family planning services to remote areas.

Vietnam military delegation arrive in Vientiane



Feb. 15 (VNA) -- A senior Viet Nam People's Army delegation led by Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Van Tra arrived in Vientiane this afternoon, Feb. 15, for an official friendship visit to Laos.

The delegation was received by member of the Political Bureau of the People's Revolutionary Party, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Laos Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chummaly Saynhason.

Gas pipeline contract for lot 06.1 signed



Ha Noi, Feb. 14 (VNA) -- A contract for the installation of a gas pipeline from Lot 06.1 at the Lan Tay-Lan Do field of the Nam Con Son basin to the mainland has been signed between the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Corporation (PetroVietnam), its foreign partners - BP Exploration of the UK, Statoil of Norway, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. of India - and BP Pipelines Vietnam B.V. and Statoil Vietnam A.S.

Ten fishing ports upgraded




Ha Noi, Feb. 14 (VNA) -- A project on upgrade of 10 fishing ports across the country will be completed this year, says the Ministry of Fisheries (MoF).

Of the project's total investment capital of USD 71.4 million, more than USD 35.4 million was spent on port construction and nearly USD 1.7 million, management of natural resources and environmental protection.

Number of disciplined in Party declined but are more serious



Ha Noi, Feb. 14 (VNA) -- The Inspection Commission of the Party Central Committee has warned against violating the Party's rules and disciplines in recent years and emphasised the need to increase the inspection of Party organisations at all levels in the coming years.

Construction company Vinaconex looks for the US market




Ha Noi, Feb. 13 (VNA) -- Buoyed by completing 61 percent of its yearly construction target in just two months, the VINACONEX Corporation is preparing for the United States market by investing VND 408.653 billion to upgrade equipment.

The corporation, judged the country's trendsetter by the Construction Ministry, is building a 100,000 tonne-a-year clinker mill and a 1.5 million cu.m. a year roofing plant. Its Director General Phi Thai Binh says both are expected to begin working in a few months.

Development Support Fund invests in economy




Ha Noi, Feb. 13 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai urged the Development Support Fund, SDF, pump its capital into bolstering Viet Nam's most competitive industries at conference held in Ha Noi Feb. 13.

"The fund should foster and encourage the development of competitive Vietnamese-made products, and focus on sectors that can boost employment," Khai said.

The Prime Minister asked the fund to study and classify the country's development programmes, and apply reasonable interest rates in a bid to boost socio-economic development.

2,000 billion VND for mountain area development




Ha Noi, Feb. 13 (VNA) -- The Government has spent about VND 1,900 billion (USD 129 million) for socio-economic development in remote mountain communes during the past two years, reports the Committee for Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas.

It says each commune received VND 700 million a year through various programmes, including Programme 135.

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