Vietnam News Agency (VNA)

Press Highlights May 13

13/05/2008 -- 8:58 AM

Hanoi (VNA) -
Current events

· Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Cambodian Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathana (Nhan dan, page 1).

· The 6th working day of the third session of the 12th National Assembly (All dailies, page 1).

· Vietnam ’s Buddhism makes efforts to contribute to building an equal, democratic and civilized society (All dailies, page 1).

· Hanoi leaders met with Buddhist dignitaries (Ha Noi Moi, page 1).

· More than 3,000 delegates to attend Buddha’s birth anniversary 2008 (Nhan dan, page 1).

Socio-economic affairs

· Correcting the weakness in petrol market control. Cross-border petrol smuggling reached alarming level (Nhan dan page 1).

· Cushioning farmers against the price hike (Saigon Giai phong page 1). Truong Tan Sang, Party Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee, had a working session with the Farmers Association.

· ASEAN-OSHNET, national labour safety and sanitation programme (Nhan dan, page 8).

· Cooperation in building a DAP fertilizer plant in Morocco (Nhan dan, page 8).

· Giong Festival 2008 (Quan doi Nhan dan, page 8).

· Three directions to expand the capital city (Ha Noi Moi, page 1).

· Increasing import tariff on used cars by 10 percent (Ha Noi Moi, page 1).

· Tariff adjustment will be used as a tool to reduce trade deficit (Ha Noi Moi, page 1).

· Vietnam ’s masters training programme meets international standards (Ha Noi Moi, page 5).

· Chua Vietnam ( Vietnam ’s Pagodas) published in English (Ha Noi Moi, page 5).

· Consultative Meeting of donors for Vietnam 2008 will be held in Lao Cai (Ha Noi Moi, page 8).

· Three scenarios for growth (Dau tu [Investment], No. 57, page 1). Forecast of Vietnam ’s economic growth in 2008.

· The possibility of such big storms as Nargis is not excluded (Dau tu, No. 57, page 3). Dr. Bui Minh Tang, Director of the Central Hydrology and Meteorology Centre, warned of more complicated weather changes. “If comprehensive solutions are not taken timely, there will be dangerous consequences.”

· A boost for exports to the US (Dau tu, No. 57, page 15). Many US importers rate highly the Vietnamese textile and garment industry’s production capacity and hoped to continue signing contracts.

· Foreigners’ house purchase does not affect strongly the market (Dau tu, No. 57, page 16). Construction Minister Nguyen Hong Quan talked about the pilot policy permitting foreigners to buy and own houses in Vietnam that will be submitted to the National Assembly for approval at the third session.

· Real estate market: many issues remains (Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam [Viet Nam Economic Times], No. 114, page 17). Lack of transparency, insufficient supply, prices higher than the people’s average incomes...are problems that lead to unsustainable development of the Vietnamese property market. Measures to overcome the situation were the focus of an online dialogue between the public and Construction Minister Nguyen Hong Quan on May 9.

· Reducing corporate income tax and increasing incentives for businesses (Cong thuong [Industry and Trade], No. 13, page 6). This is an important issue being tabled for discussion by NA deputies who are entrepreneurs at the third session.

· Exports to Europe expected to be “untied” soon! (Cong thuong, No. 13, page 8). Europe is a potential market for Vietnamese exporters. However, there remained a lot of technical barriers to a number of key export staples.

· Banks are racing to attract clients (Thoi bao Ngan hang [Banking Review], No. 57, page 4). Since late April, commercial banks have offered higher interest rates and lottery programmes to draw depositors.

· Property market: speculation factor appears (Thoi bao Ngan hang, No. 57, page 5). The Ministry of Construction’s recent report on the real estate market said the sudden halt in the overheated market in Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring localities was due to the government’s policy to curb inflation.

· Strong financial measures are taken to control inflation. Managing state budget collections and spending (Thoi bao Tai chinh Viet Nam [Viet Nam Financial Times, No. 56, page 1).

International Affairs

· Steps towards democracy in Myanmar (Nhan Dan page 4).

· Possibility for cabinet reshuffle in Thailand (Nhan Dan page 8).

· Campaigning for donations to Nargis victims in Myanmar (Nhan Dan page 8).

· Preliminary parliamentary elections results in Serbia : no party won a majority.

· The Russian President approved the new cabinet (Quan doi Nhan dan page 8).

· Strong earthquake in China claimed at least 8,700 lives (Quan doi Nhan dan page 8).

· President Bush’s visit to the Middle East (Ha Noi Moi page 8).-Enditem

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