New York Life Int'l opens representative office in Hanoi



Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- A US insurance company, New York Life International Inc., has opened its representative office in Ha Noi to explore market demand and promote investment in trade activities.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony on Dec. 1, Chairman and General Director of the company, Gary G. Benanav, said that it was the beginning of his company's long-term commitment to the country.

ASEM discuss combination of traditional and modern medicines




Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- About 200 medical experts from all the 13 member-countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) are participating in a Ha Noi international conference discussing the combined use of traditional and modern medicines in treating difficult diseases.

The Dec. 4-5 conference is being held in response to Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's initiative to combine traditional and modern medicines was raised at the second ASEM held in London in April 1998.

UNESCO Director -General visits Vietnam




Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, Director-General Koichiro Matsuura arrived in Ha Noi today, Dec.4, to begin a three-day visit to Viet Nam as guest of Foreign Minister, Nguyen Dy Nien.

Speaking at a dinner in honour of his guest, the Foreign Minister said that he appreciated UNESCO's role in international cooperation since its emergence 55 years ago and thanked the UN agency for its long-term help to Viet Nam in education, science and culture.--VNA

OPIC loans to build medical plant in Southern provinces



Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) has pledged a USD 8 million loan to build a serum and medicine production plant at the Bien Hoa 2 Industrial Zone in southern Dong Nai province.

The pledge was signed in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 3 by OPIC Chairman and Executive Manager George Munoz, who led a mission of US businessmen assessing investment possibilities in Viet Nam.

It is the second OPIC-assisted project in Viet Nam.

Construction of Noi Bai - Bac Ninh road




Ha Noi, Dec. 4(VNA) -- Work started on Dec. 1 for construction of a 33.91 km-long road section stretching from Noi Bai International Airport to Bac Ninh on Highway 18 (km 3+300).

The project will be conducted at a total cost of VND 433 billion (USD 30 million) coming from Japan's ODA capital by the Da River Corporation, the Thang Long Corporation and the Northern Civil Engineering in 24 months.

Computer Science seeks way to narrow regional development gap



Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- Officially recognised as the spearhead of the national industrialization and modernization, the fledgling information technology sector is set to receive greater investment to catch up with other economies in the region and the world as a whole into next decade, confirmed the Minister of Science, Technology and the Environment.

UNCTAD report on Vietnam renovation process



Dec. 4 (VNA) -- The Doi Moi (renovation) policy of Viet Nam has accelerated the country's progress towards industrialization and integration into regional and global markets, accompanied by the active participation of foreign investors, according to a report released recently by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Foreign Honoury Consuls accepted in Vietnam




Ha Noi, Dec. 4 (VNA) -- The Viet Nam Government has accepted the appointment of honoury consuls by countries having diplomatic ties with Viet Nam.

The appointees will oversee general consulates, consulates, deputy general consulates, or consulate agencies in accordance with newly-promulgated regulations.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam signed Decision numbered 139/2000/QD-TTg proclaiming the Regulations for Honoury Consuls on Dec. 4.

Near 2 million foreign tourists come to Vietnam in 11months


Ha Noi, Dec. 2 (VNA) -- Viet Nam welcomed about 1.945 million foreign tourists in the first 11 months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 19.5 percent, says the Viet Nam Tourism Administration (VTA).

The tourism sector also held tours for about 10.9 million domestic tourists in the same period, a yearly increase of 6 percent. Therefore, the sector's total turnover increased 14.1 percent to VND 8,250 billion (USD 590 million).

400 oversea Vietnamese enterprises in Vietnam




Ha Noi, Dec. 2 (VNA) -- More than 400 overseas Vietnamese enterprises with a total capital of VND 400 billion (USD 27.7 million) are operating in Viet Nam under the Domestic Investment Law.

The enterprises are mostly involved in export-import, advertising and tourism.

In addition, Vietnamese nationals living outside Viet Nam have invested USD 200 million in 50 projects under the Foreign Investment Law.

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