UNHCR Checks on Repatriated Ethnic Minorities in Gia Lai

Thu, 06/23/2005 - 01:52

Gia Lai, June 23 (VNA) - Vu Anh Son, a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Viet Nam, arrived in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai on June 22 to inquire into the life of recently repatriated local ethnic minority people who had illegally crossed the border to Cambodia.

This was the second time the delegation came to Gia Lai for this purpose.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai visits United States in June 2005

Wed, 06/22/2005 - 02:02

President George W. Bush welcomed Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to the White House to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.

Foreign firm gets green light to build hangar in Vietnam

Fri, 06/17/2005 - 02:18

A foreign company will invest 500 million USD to build a hangar for heavy aircraft maintenance in central Quang Nam province following recent approval by the prime minister, said a provincial leader.
The project is scheduled to start this year at Chu Lai Airport in the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone.

The PM also approved two other major foreign investment projects in the Chu Lai OEZ – a 400 million-USD nitrogen fertilizer and construction glass plant and 400 million-USD thermoelectricity plant.

AmCham praises Viet Nam’s progress in law

Fri, 06/17/2005 - 01:44

"We are pleased to see progress on important legislation, including the Unified Enterprise Law and the Common Investment Law. These laws, when enacted, represent an excellent opportunity for Viet Nam to demonstrate that it is taking practical and significant steps to meet its obligations under international bilateral trade agreements and its commitments under the WTO entry process."

Intel signs deal to help develop 'digital Vietnam'

Thu, 06/16/2005 - 02:29

The world's largest chipmaker Intel has signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government to improve the accessibility of information technologies throughout the country, the company's CEO said.
Intel president Paul Otellini said the foundation would aim to boost communication infrastructure across ministries, government, provinces and various organisations.

The company also wants to help Vietnam develop a robust local IT industry and increase computerisation in schools.

Otellini denied revealing how much the company would spend on the program.

Anti-corruption bill requires officials declare assets

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:33

Vietnam’s new bill on anti-corruption has, for the first time, legalized the responsibility of state officials, civil servants and army and police officers to declare assets of 50 million VND (roughly 3,150 USD) and up.

Officials’ declared assets must also include those of the spouse and children as well, according to the bill, stressing likely confiscation of assets for officials who fail to prove assets were acquired legally.

US students volunteer in central Hue province

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:31

Eleven students from a college in the US journeyed to the central city of Hue back on May 20, to take part in a month long program of charity work in the region, according to event organizers.
The 11 American students, part of the Break Away Association at Johnson State College, had a chance to attend the kick-off ceremony of Vietnam’s Youth Volunteer Campaign, the Green Summer 2005, in Hue June 4, organizers said.

HCMC property market heats up with available condos

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:26

The recent rising number of available condominiums in Vietnam’s southern hub Ho Chi Minh City, fueled by support from local banks, has given a big boost to the local property market after a stagnant period.

In the last few months, a huge number of housing projects to build condo blocks have been announced, attracting the attention of local house buyers.

In particular, buyers are falling for the attractive, low-priced condos within a housing program launched by a group of two local property developers and two banks, which will supply 20,000 to 30,000 condos.

VN bourse welcomes foreign firm

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:25

(30-05-2005)

HCM CITY — An auction was held last Friday to sell shares of the Taya (Vietnam) Electric Wire and Cable Company, the first ever held for a foreign-invested business.

The auction was held at the HCM City and Ha Noi stock markets.

More than 2.440 million shares of the VND183 billion (US$11.5 million) Taiwanese-owned company were sold for almost VND46.2 billion, with the average price at VND18,922.

The highest price was VND29,100, while the lowest was VND18,000, the same as the starting price.

Commercial banks need equitisation

Sun, 06/12/2005 - 15:23

(10-06-2005)

HA NOI — Bankers and their regulators met yesterday to discuss ways to raise foreign direct investment in the banking sector, with most agreeing that an immediate equitisation of State-owned commercial banks would give the slugglish sector a financial kick-start.

Nguyen Hoang Hai, general secretary of the Viet Nam Association of Financial Investors, said that State-owned commercial banks should move quickly to value their uncollectable loans and total assets in order to take the necessary steps towards equitisation.

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