Vietnam-U.S Society denounces shameless fabrication


Ha Noi, Jan. 19 (VNA) -- The Viet Nam-U.S. Society described a recent article entitled "Terrifying Abuses in Viet Nam", carried by the Washington Times on Jan. 13, as a shameless fabrication.

In a letter dated Jan. 19 to the Washington Times' editorial board, the Viet Nam-U.S. Society pointed out that the paper's Jan. 13 article written by Michael Benge, a senior adviser to the Montagnard Human Rights Organisation, distorted the situation in central highland region of Tay Nguyen, and slandered Viet Nam's policies toward ethnic minority people.

Trade Ministry's new regulations on export rewards


Ha Noi, Jan. 16 (VNA) -- The Trade Ministry has issued new regulations on export rewards, to take effect on Jan. 17 this year.

Under the regulations, rewards will be given to a domestically-made product or category of goods which is exported for the first time with an export turnover of more than USD 100,000 a year. For mountainous and island provinces the figure is USD 50,000.

Vietnam and Russia hold talks on Cam Ranh hand over


On Jan. 11, FM Spokeswoman answered question from NHK: According to a statement by Russian Deputy Minister of Defence last year, Russia will start withdrawing its troops from Cam Ranh as from the beginning of this year, which is ahead of the expiry of the treaty between Vietnam and Russia. Please advise how are Vietnam and Russian cooperating in this matter?

Answer:

Vietnamese agriculturar products meet safety standards- FM said

On Jan. 11, FM Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh answered question from Quan Doi Nhan Dan: Please comment on a story of the Orange County Register which asserts that "Vietnam uses pesticide in agricultural production which affects Vietnam's agricultural products:?

Answer:

Such remarks are groundless and of ill-intention.

External relations of Vietnam in the year of 2001

The following is Foreign Minister NGUYEN DY NIEN's speech on the world situation and external relations of Vietnam in 2001.

Vietnam resumes basa catfish exports to US market


Ha Noi, Jan. 11 (VNA) -- Viet Nam resumed exports of basa catfish to U.S. markets earlier this month.

The Thanh Viet Aquatic Product Processing Factory in Can Tho Mekong delta province shipped 20 tonnes of basa catfish to the United States in the first week of January, according to the daily Saigon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon).

Vietnam welcomes interim government in Afghanistan


Ha Noi, Jan. 10 (VNA)-- On Jan. 9, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai extended a message of congratulations to Afghanistan's interim leader Hamid Karzai.

The PM said in his message that the establishment of the interim government in Afghanistan with Hamid Harzai as the leader was an important start of the process for peace, national reconciliation, and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

U.S is Vietnam's second biggest shrimp buyer

Ha Noi, Jan. 9 (VNA) -- The U.S. has become Viet Nam's second biggest shrimp buyer after Japan, the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors has announced.

The source added the U.S. import accounts for 33.1 percent of Viet Nam's total export of shrimp.

However, according to the American customs office, Viet Nam stood behind Thailand and India on the list of shrimp exporters to the U.S.

Shrimp made up around one third of the country's earnings from export of aquatic products of USD 1.8 billion in 2001.--VNA.

Vietnam prepares for BTA implementation in financial sector


Ha Noi, Jan.9 (VNA) -- A senior official from the Finance Ministry said that Viet Nam's financial sector is actively preparing everything for implementing all commitments stated in the Viet Nam-U.S trade agreement (BTA) which took effect on Dec.10 last year.

"These commitments concern taxation, insurance business, accounting and auditing work and other financial matters," said Mrs Le Thi Bang Tam, Deputy Minister of Finance, in a recent interview with Lao Dong newspaper.

Construction of software park starts in Ho Chi Minh city


Ha Noi, Jan. 6 (VNA) -- Work on construction of the Software Industrial Park of Ho Chi Minh City National University started in the outlying district of Thu Duc on Saturday, Jan. 5.

The project's first phase is built at a cost of VND 61,467 billion (USD 4.1 million) from the State budget.

In the first quarter of this year, workers will complete the installation of more than 22 km of the fibre-optic cable line linking the park and colleges of the city's university, and equipment and telecom network for the starting and nursing houses.

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