Pilot project to improve guest workers’ skills

The Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs has adopted a pilot project to train workers to labour export orders with the aim of raising guest workers’ skills.

Deputy Director of the Overseas Labour Management Department Hoang Kim Ngoc said that the project will be carried out from now until 2010.

Under the project, labour export enterprises will order vocational training establishments to train workers in jobs that are in high demand in the international market such as welding, hotel and restaurant services, health care and electronics.

Director of Vinaconex Corporation’s Labour Export Company Than The Ha said that his company has received many orders for skilled workers from Japan , Russia , the Czech Republic and Mid-East countries.

According to the Overseas Labour Management Department, the country sent almost 51,000 guest workers abroad in the first seven months of the year. The largest market for Vietnamese guest workers remained Taiwan , followed by the Republic of Korea , Malaysia and Japan . The number of Vietnamese workers in new markets such as the USA , Australia and the Czech Republic was limited because of their strict professional and foreign languages skills requirements and immigration procedures.

Vietnam is striving to send around 85,000 people to work overseas this year.-

National efforts to reduce Agent Orange victims’ pains

– Localities, organisations and individuals nationwide these days are raising funds and carrying out various charitable activities towards the Day for Agent Orange victims (August 10) with the aim to help reduce the victims’ daily sufferings.

The Ho Chi Minh City Red Cross in coordination with the Saigon Commercial Bank has presented 300 scholarships and 15 bicycles and organised outings, at a total cost of 600 million VND, for children of AO victims and underprivileged families.

Sine 1998, the organisation has raised 34.3 billion VND for AO victims and provided free check-ups and medicines for nearly 37,000 victims.

In addition, its fund for supporting AO victims has spent nearly 6 billion VND on regular allowances for the sufferers and paid out 10 billion VND for short-term assistance.

On the occasion of the AO victims’ day, central highlands Lam Dong province’s Association of AO Victims together with the Vietnam News Agency presented gifts to the victims and provided the poorest families with between 1-5 million VND each to repair houses or buy animals for breeding.

The province now has nearly 2,600 AO victims, and 1,250 of them are provided with regular allowances.

In central Quang Ngai province, 35 charity houses built with fund from the US’s Mennonite Central Committee, each cost 19.5 million VND, have been handed over to families of AO victims in Minh Long, Ba To and Nghia Hanh district.

Another 10 houses for AO victims, each cost 20 million VND, funded by the Madison Quakers Inc., are under construction in Son Tinh district.

On the occasion, the province’s Association of AO victims also presented over 300 gifts, each worth between 200,000-1 million VND, to AO victims.

Quang Ngai has over 14,300 AO victims, including 2,600 children with inborn deformities, in 13 districts and towns.

To respond to a month-long drive of actions for AO victims, northern Hai Duong province’s Red Cross, the military-run telecoms corporation Viettel and the Nhan dao va Doi song newspaper on August 6 presented 30 wheelchairs for AO victims and 30 scholarships each worth 500,000 VND for poor children.

Northern Bac Giang province and Hai Phong city also presented gifts to AO victims on the occasion.

Bac Giang province has recently raised 70 million VND and collected 2 tonnes of rice and 10 cows from local organisations and individuals to help AO victims.

It has proposed the government to give allowances for another 1,900 AO infected cases, bringing the total number of AO victims benefitting from the State assistance to 3,100.

Meanwhile, benefactors in Hai Phong port city have so far collected over 3 billion VND to help build and repair nearly 40 houses. In addition, 250 AO victims have received savings book each worth 2 million VND.

Hai Phong city has nearly 17,000 AO victims, but only 5,000 of them receive State’s allowances.-

Swiss President hails Vietnamese potential

Swiss President Pascal Couchepin said he understands more about Vietnam ’s great potential as an exporter of important items and a deserving destination for long-term investment.

During a meeting with Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Le Hoang Quan on August 5, President Pascal Couchepin said that he has discovered new values of the Vietnamese people and land, especially its generation of young, intelligent people and its move toward modernisation.

The Swiss President said that Vietnam set many ambitious targets for development, but the facts proved those targets were correct and implemented by reliable means.

Chairman Quan said he believed the visit would help develop comprehensive and deep relations between the two countries.

He asked President Couchepin to share experiences in urban management and solve challenges and difficulties in development.

The Swiss President also met with the Swiss community in Ho Chi Minh City and visited some cultural and trade sites in the economic hub.

On this occasion, a memorandum of understanding between the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and the Swiss Lausane University was signed on cooperation in training and researching.-

Vietnamese, Canadian MPs support stronger ties

Vietnamese and Canadian parliamentarians exchange experiences and discussed measures to promote mutual understanding, and cooperation in maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific region at a seminar held in Ottawa on August 5.

The seminar, chaired by Bryon Wilfert, Chairman of the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group, was held during a Canada visit by a delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for National Defence and Security, led by its chairman Le Quang Binh.

Speaking on the fine development of the two countries’ traditional friendly relations, parliamentarian Bryon Wilfert said that in the developing trend of the two countries’ cooperation, and friendship, the Canada-Vietnam Friendship Association should further expand activities in many areas, contributing to boosting cooperation between the two states and peoples.

For his part, parliamentarian Binh said Vietnam has been studying Canada ’s experiences with the aim of applying them in judicial reform to serve the country’s economic development and international integration.

He thanked the Canadian government and parliament for their official development assistance (ODA) to help Vietnam in poverty alleviation and judicial and educational reform.

He hoped that the two countries’ cooperation and friendship would develop vigorously in the coming period.-

Senior legislator welcomes Osaka councillors

– National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong says Vietnam attaches importance to cooperative ties with Japan , particularly in economy, and creates favourable conditions for Japanese investors.

The legislator made the statement when receiving a delegation of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Council of Osaka City, headed by Secretary of the municipal LDP Nobuo Noko, in Hanoi on August 6.

Phong urged Japan , including Osaka City , to continue cooperating and helping Vietnam in high-quality human resource development, to expand cultural and health cooperation, and to share development experiences.

The lawmaker noted with pleasure that, 35 years after the establishment of diplomatic ties, Vietnam and Japan have enjoyed fruitful relations and are striving to build a strategic partnership.

In reply, Nobuo Noko said he hoped Japan-Vietnam friendly and cooperative relations will be strengthened both at the central and local levels and between the two countries’ people, as well as in all spheres in accordance with their potentials and benefits.

The official added that after his trips to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi ’s Thang Long Industrial Zone, he found Vietnam boasts an excellent workforce and is an ideal destination for Japanese investors.

Osaka City that set up an economic partnership with HCM City in 1997 will expand its cooperation with the capital city of Hanoi and other localities of Vietnam , he stressed.-

Vice President backs Sudan’s peace efforts

Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan on August 6 reiterated Vietnam’s stand to respect nations’ right to self-determination, saying Sudan’s fate must be decided by its people.

Doan made the statement during her meeting with Sudanese Minister of Economics and Finance Award Ahmed Eljjar, who is on a visit to Vietnam.

She highly valued the African country’s efforts to seek political and peaceful solutions to the Darfur crisis in an effort to prevent a war.

“Vietnam strongly supports Sudan’s efforts to work for peace and democracy,” emphasised the Vice State President.

In regard to bilateral relations, Doan recognised progress made in economic cooperation, especially in agriculture, trade and petroleum.

“However, trade revenues between the two countries remain modest and far from meeting the two country’s potential,” she concluded.

For his part, Minister Award Ahmed Eljjar made a lot of thanks to the Vietnamese Government for its unswerving support in all fields, calling Vietnam a traditional friend.

Eljjar said “The Sudanese people always look for peace to build and develop their country and look forwards to receiving support from the international community, including Vietnam”.-

Laos-VN association holds central committee meeting

Vientiane (VNA) – The first conference of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA)’s Central Committee was opened in Vientiane on August 6, drawing the participation of delegates from 17 provinces and cities across Laos.

LVFA’s President Somkot Mangnormek who is also Minister of Education, reviewed the association’s activities over the past time.

The LVFA Central Committee, its branches across Laos, especially those in 10 provinces bordering Vietnam, have made important contributions to strengthening the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, he stressed.

The LVFA at all levels has successfully coordinated with the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association (VLFA) in organising activities in the two countries and exchanges between the two peoples, the delegates said.

Addressing the conference, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thoungloun Sisoulith said he hoped both LVFA and VLFA continue contributing to further developing the special ties between Laos and Vietnam in the future. –

Vietnam supports Iraq’s efforts for reconciliation

Vietnam firmly supports the Iraqi Government and people in their endeavor to promote their cause of reconciliation, stabilisation and reconstruction, said the country’s representative to the UN Security Council.

At the UNSC debate on the situation concerning Iraq held in New York on August 6, Vietnamese permanent representative to the UN Security Council, Ambassador Le Luong Minh noted political and security achievements in Iraq, which were reflected in the lowest levels of overall violence since March 2004, the enhanced capabilities of Iraqi security forces in independently maintaining national security, the recent participation of all political factions in the Cabinet and the promulgation of key legislations on justice, amnesty, provincial power and budget execution as well as the intensive preparations for the provincial elections scheduled for October.

The diplomat also praised Iraq’s macro-economic records including increased domestic consumption, the decrease in inflation, the improved investment environment and the gradual settlement of external debt burdens.

He added, however, that Iraq should continue working to overcome such challenges as sectarian violence, poverty reduction and hunger elimination, the unresolved status of Kirkuk, the adoption of laws on election and oil, the illicit use of weapons, organised crimes and disarmament.

Ambassador Minh highlighted the important role that the UN agencies, neighbouring countries and the international community can play in Iraq’s reconciliation, stabilisation and reconstruction.

He hailed the positive results of the Compact Annual Review Conference in Stockholm (Sweden) in May 2008 and the normalization of bilateral relations between Iraq and neighbouring countries, saying that “this emerging partnership and cooperation will be sustained and translated into further concrete action to serve mutual interests of all relevant stakeholders, on the basis of respect for the political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.”

Ambassador Minh affirmed that Vietnam supports the enhanced coordination of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the UN country team in Iraq and the UNAMI’s contributions to implementing its mandate under the Security Council Resolution 1770 (2007).-

Prime Minister praises ASEAN’s important role

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung says the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been playing an important role in maintaining peace, security and cooperation for Southeast Asia ’s development, actively supporting the goal of security and development of each member country and the whole grouping.

In a speech marking the ASEAN’s 41 st founding anniversary (August broadcast on national TV’s on August 7, PM Dung said the achievements of ASEAN and its partners have laid an important foundation for the association to increase and intensify regional cooperation in the coming period as well as improve the its role and prestige in the international arena.

“The leading important factor for the ASEAN to continue to achieve successes in the new stage is that the association should promote concerted efforts to ensure a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the region on the basis of the goals and basic principles set by the ASEAN in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and the ASEAN Charter,” the PM said.

“Member countries should continue to do their utmost to strengthen the association’ unity, increase friendship and the sense of community, promote cooperation and solve all differences by peaceful measures.

“Meanwhile, the ASEAN should continue to play the leading role in regional matters, actively accelerate the process of negotiation and cooperation in the region, create opportunities for external partners to take part in and contribute to handling challenges to peace, security and development in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.”

The PM suggested that ASEAN make further efforts to improve the quality of “unity in diversity” in the spirit of common objectives and basic principles such as “consensus” and “non-interference”.

“This requires each member country to make a strong political commitment to the ASEAN linkage process and the ASEAN family, further harmonising national interests with that of the whole ASEAN region for a common goal of the association,” the PM said.

He went on to say that ASEAN should accelerate the implementation of programmes of actions on the building of the ASEAN Community by taking specific measures and preparing appropriate resources.

“ASEAN should take practical measures to quickly narrow the existing development gap between its member countries, particularly between the old and new members, through the efficient implementation of the ASEAN Linkage Initiatives,” he said.

The Vietnamese government leader also recommended that ASEAN member countries include their national development programmes into ASEAN connectivity programmes.

According to the PM, the impending task for the group is to quickly bring the ASEAN Charter to life.

“The charter will bring about a reform in the organisation-apparatus and mode of operation of the association, helping improve the quality and efficiency of cooperation between member countries,” he said.

Vietnam is an organic part of ASEAN and is a member with sense of responsibility of the ASEAN Family, the PM said, adding that Southeast Asia and ASEAN are of strategic significance to Vietnam as they directly relate to Vietnam ’s security and development.

A tightly-linked and united ASEAN which has an important international role and position is completely in line with Vietnam ’s basic and long-term interests, he said.

“Therefore, we always view ASEAN, in both multilateral and bilateral cooperation, as an important part in our foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification and friendly neighbourliness,” he said.-

New Zealand military staff chief begins Vietnam visit

Hanoi (VNA)- Chief of the New Zealand Defence Forces, Lieut. Gen. Jeremiah Mateparae, marked his first day in Vietnam on August 7 with talks on strengthening military ties.

During a meeting with with Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Khac Nghien, Chief of Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, the two sides agreed to increase exchanges of visits, boost cooperation in English training, military medicine, rescue operations and flight safety, and exchange experiences in anti-terrorist fight and join the UN peace-keeping mission.

They shared a view that such relations would contribute to facilitating solidarity and mutual understanding between people and armed forces of the two countries in the interest of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Their talks came after an official welcoming ceremony was held in honour of the New Zealand military chief, who arrived in Hanoi on August 6 for an official visit to Vietnam .

In the afternoon, the New Zealand delegation paid an courtesy visit to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and had a working session with the Military Strategy Institute under the Ministry of Defence.–