Socialist Republic of Vietnam

(11-06-2005)

HA NOI — Corruption in State enterprises, Government agencies and many economic organisations around the country is a big threat to the regime, said Inspector General Quach Le Thanh.

"The fight against corruption is the job of all the Party and all the people. It calls on the strength of the entire political system as well as the active participation of the entire society," said Thanh.

With major revenues generated from the growing popularity of the film industry in Vietnam, movie and film companies are moving to erect new complexes to meet the demand of the increasing number of movie-goers.

Moviegoers in Ho Chi Minh City now frequent existing high-grade cinemas like the Diamond Cinema, Dong Da, and Cinebox filling them to capacity, thus generating interest in building new venues.

Vietnam has huge potential to join the World Trade Organization by the end of this year, Vietnamese and foreign trade representatives said after a recent unofficial round of multilateral talks.
“WTO accession by the end of this year is within reach,” said Hoang Phuoc Hiep, a Vietnamese negotiator, who has just returned to Hanoi from Geneva after unofficial multilateral talks.

“After unofficial talks, I think Vietnam has a good chance to join the WTO in December this year if the country can complete bilateral negotiations before September,” he said.

HA NOI — Draft regulations now being written by the Ministry of Trade (MoT) will allow US - owned enterprises in Viet Nam to import materials and goods.

The new regulations accord with provisions of the 2002 Viet Nam – US Bilateral Trade Agreement, says a statement issued by MoT.

The provisions stipulate that America-owned producers and manufacturers would be allowed to import material three years after the agreement became effective.

The exceptions are the export-processing industry and services, including hospitality, insurance and consultancy, it says.