Vietnam named on maritime "White list" of IMO




Dec. 25 (VNA) -- Viet Nam has been named on the first "White List" of countries meeting the compentancy requirements of a new international convention for seafarers and technological development issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The list includes 71 countries and one associate IMO member deemed to have properly implement the provisions of the International Convention for Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Vietnam and China sign cooperation agreements




Dec. 25 (VNA) -- A joint statement and four agreements for cooperation between Viet Nam and China were signed in Beijing today, Dec. 25.

President Tran Duc Luong held talks in Beijing

VIETNAMESE PRESIDENT HOLDS TALKS WITH CHINESE LEADER



Dec. 25 (VNA) -- Viet Nam's President, Tran Duc Luong, held talks with China's President, Jiang Zemin, in Beijng this afternoon, Dec. 25.

President Tran Duc Luong, who is leading a high-ranking delegation on an official five-day visit to China, had his private meeting with Jiang Zemin soon after arrival.

Vietnam attaches importance to coooperation with China



Dec. 25 (VNA) -- President Tran Duc Luong today, Dec. 25, began an official visit to China with the aim of fostering its comprehensive cooperation with China.

The visit made at the invitation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin is also to translate the two countries' line of good neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-lasting stability and looking towards the future into concrete areas of cooperation and strengthen mutual trust, cooperation and friendship between the two countries in the 21st century.

Fisheries sector expected to grow up



Ha Noi, Dec. 23 (VNA) -- The fisheries sector is trying to join the world's major exporters in the first decade of the century and its turnover is expected to reach USD 2.5 billion by 2005 and USD 3.5 billion by 2010.

Procedure for self-funded studies



Ha Noi, Dec. 23 (VNA) -- Procedures for self-funded studies abroad will be simplified, creating better conditions for the Vietnamese students can pay their own expenses for their studies abroad.

Representatives from consultative establishments for self-funded studies abroad nationwide gathered at a conference held by the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) in Ha Noi on Dec. 22 to discuss draft legal documents and regulations relating to their management and enrolment procedures.

German and Japan grant aid to Vietnam



Ha Noi, Dec. 23 (VNA) --

* Germany Loans USD 11.7 million for Building A Dredger

The German Goverment will provide a preferential loan of USD 11.7 million to help build a dredger for Viet Nam's ports.

The loan was approved by the European Commission (EC) on Dec. 21.

The EC said that the loan, made as a development aid to Viet Nam's Nam's Waterway Dredging Company, confirmed with Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) regulations governing export credit for ship building.

Over 4 million students receive free dental care


Ha Noi, Dec. 20 (VNA)-- An additional 300 dental clinics were set up under the school-based dental care programme this year, providing oral care to 600,000 more students.

Seminar on implementation of Customs valuation




Ha Noi, Dec. 19 (VNA) -- A seminar was held in Ha Noi on Dec. 18 to discuss the Agreement on Implementation of Article 7 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (Customs Valuation) - one of the annexes to the Uruguay Round Final Act.

The content of the agreement and its impact on the integration, business and customs were presented for discussion. The seminar also touched on how to apply the import-export duties in accordance with the agreement, as well as cooperation between relevant agencies in the preventation of illegal trade.

Japan and Denmark help Vietnam's healthcare and water supply




Ha Noi, Dec. 19 (VNA) --
* Japan Grants More than USD 67,000 to Upgrade Hospital in Bac Can Province

The Japanese Government will grant USD 67,357 as non-refundable aid to upgrade a hospital in Na Ry commune in the northern mountainous province of Bac Can.

Under an agreement for the project signed in Ha Noi on Dec. 18, the donation will be used to buy surgical equipment and instruments for the hospital.

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