September 7-13: NA Chairman concludes US visit, PM starts working visit to Laos

NDO – Leaders attend to external activities and the National Single Window is launched, those are some of the most notable events making the headlines of Nhan Dan Online over the past week.1. NA Chairman concludes his visit to the US

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has concluded his two-week US visit since August 29.

As the fourth keynote speaker at the fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament running from August 31-September 2 in New York, Chairman Hung reflected on Vietnam’s preparations to realise the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Hanoi Declaration adopted by the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) Assembly in the capital city.

Following the conference, the Vietnamese leader paid an official visit to the US at the invitation of President pro tempore emeritus of the Senate Patrick Leahy, Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senator John McCain for the first time.

In face-to-face meetings, Vietnamese and US parliamentary leaders shared key matters involving the strengthening of mutual trust, regional and global developments of shared interest, including maritime security and safety, anti-terrorism and climate change response.

Arriving in Boston city, Massachusetts state, the Vietnamese leader met its Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as professors and managers of Harvard University to explore the possibility of expanding bilateral economic, trade and healthcare ties.

During his stay, Chairman Hung also took the occasion to visit several US business players and landmark attractions.

2. PM Dung pays working visit to Laos

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attends a ceremony to launch the construction of Dongkasen Elementary School in Khammouane province on September 13. (Image credit: VGP)

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung led a high-ranking delegation to Laos for a working visit on September 13-14.

PM Dung and his Lao counterpart Thoosing Thammavong launched a project for the exploitation and processing of potash salt mines, one of Vietnam’s largest projects overseas, during a ground-breaking ceremony in Nongbok district, Khammouane province of Laos on September 13.

Invested by the Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem), the project covers a total of 10sq.km and is designed to process 320,000 tonnes of potash per year. It will cost a total of US$522 million; US$105 million of which is from the investor and the remaining from Vietnam’s commercial banks.

The same day, the PM attended a ceremony to launch the construction of Dongkasen Elementary School in the province and visited a memorial dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Sieng Vang village where the late President lived and worked from 1929-1931. He also met with Vietnamese nationals in the village and urged them to make further contributions to local socio-economic development.

On September 14, PM Dung is scheduled to meet Lao leaders to discuss initiatives fostering the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries.

3. National Single Window launched, connected to regional system

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung launches the system at the ceremony. (Image credit: VGP)

The National Single Window Mechanism (NSWM) was officially launched and connected to the ASEAN Single Window Mechanism (ASWM) at a ceremony held in Hanoi on September 8.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung launched the system at the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy PM Ninh noted that the launching of the portal is a turning point in administrative reform towards an e-government, saying that boosting administrative reforms, improving the business environment and enhancing national competitiveness are strategic tasks in restructuring the economy in line with an improved growth model and raised productivity, quality and effectiveness.

The NSWM and ASWM are significant solutions to simplifying administrative procedures in accordance with international practices and standards; boost trade, tourism and investment; and affirm Vietnam’s determination in realising the ASEAN Economic Community by the end of the year, Ninh added.

According to the CSWM, the NSWM has been implemented in three phases, connecting nine ministries to the system. By August 27, a total of 1,936 businesses conducted declaration procedures using the system and numerous customs procedures are scheduled to be linked to the portal by the end of the year.

So far, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have announced they will implement their NSWM as committed while Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have announced they are ready for ASWM connection in December.

4. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia launch MoU on road transport acceleration

Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Lao and Cambodian Ministries of Public Works and Transport, held a ceremony at the Hoa Lu (Vietnam’s Binh Phuoc province) – Trapeang Sre (Cambodia) border gate on September 9 to launch a Memorandum of Understanding on road transport acceleration between the three governments.

The MoU was signed in the Lao province of Champasak on January 17, 2013, aiming to meet the demand for economic development, trade exchanges and tourism co-operation as well as to facilitate people and vehicles (both commercial and non-commercial) from the three countries to cross border gates in a more effective manner.

The MoU consists of 11 articles and three appendixes, stipulating contents on facilitating road transportation of goods and passengers between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The Vietnam Road Administration has been assigned to license and collect reports from Transport Ministries on the situation of international transportation among the three nations under the abovementioned MoU.

5. Work begins on VND6 trillion Nghi Son iron and steel terminal in Thanh Hoa

Construction of the Nghi Son Iron and Steel International General Terminal commenced at the Nghi Son Economic Zone in Tinh Gia district, Thanh Hoa province on September 9.

The project, invested by Nghi Son Cast Iron and Steel Joint Stock Company with a total cost of VND5.86 trillion (US$257.84 million), is a sub-project of the Nghi Son Iron and Steel Complex.

The terminal has a total length of 2,250m including nine wharfs, which can handle 30 million tonnes of cargo per year and receive vessels of up to 50,000 tonnes. It can be expanded to receive vessels of up to 120,000 tonnes. The terminal, including the wharfs and warehouses, covers a total area of 71ha.

The first three wharfs are scheduled for completion in October 2016 with two additional wharfs expected to be finished in 2017. The sixth wharf is planned to be completed in 2018 while the remaining others are estimated to be completed sometime between 2019 and 2021.

6. Asia-Pacific conference serves as symbol of solidarity with Cuba

The 7th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba in Hanoi has successfully completed its agenda becoming a new symbol of solidarity.

President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Vu Xuan Hong made the statement when making a closing speech at the two-day conference on September 9.

Fostering ties with the largest island in the Caribbean Sea via the conference; 220 delegates representing 18 countries shared valuable experiences and proposed a range of communications initiatives.

A highlight of the event was the adoption of the Hanoi Declaration, which states “defending Cuba will keep the hope alive that a better world is possible”.

It strongly rejects all acts and measures contrary to international law, such as the illegal economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed upon Cuba by the government of the US for more than five decades, and calls for the immediate lifting of the barrier.

It also recognises the historical significance of the announcement made by Cuban President Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama on the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States and the reopening of embassies in the capitals of either country.

7. Phong Nha-Ke Bang named most attractive tangible heritage in 2015

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in central Quang Binh province has recently been honoured with the title ‘Most Attractive Tangible Heritage of 2015’ by the Mekong Tourism Alliance.

The award is part of the Mekong Tourism Alliance Awards 2015, which include Best Airlines of the Year, Best Outbound Travel Operator of the Year, Best Inbound Travel Operator of the Year, Best 5 Star Hotel of the Year, Best Resort of the Year, and Most Attractive Tangible Heritage of the Year.

In July, Phong Nha-Ke Bang received its second UNESCO recognition. The first time it received the award was in 2003 for its geological and geomorphologic values.

Established in 2001, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is considered among the 238 most important ecological zones in the world.

With the opening of Son Doong Cave in 2013, Quang Binh was instantly catapulted onto the bucket lists of travellers all over the world.

8. National table tennis championships concludes in Can Tho

The 33rd Nhan Dan (The People’s) Newspaper National Table Tennis Championships – PetroVietnam Cup 2015 officially concluded in Can Tho city on September 13 after seven days of fierce competition.

Mai Hoang My Trang from Ho Chi Minh City Petrosetco claimed the championship title in the women’s singles event after defeating her younger player opponent Dinh Thi Hang from Hai Duong Vicem with a final score of 4-0.

In the men’s singles competition, Dinh Quang Linh from the Army team crushed narrowly defeated his teammate Le Tien Dat 4-3 in the final match to claim this year’s title.

Nguyen Thi Viet Linh and Phan Hoang Tuong Giang from the Ministry of Public Security became the champions of the women’s doubles event after their 3-0 victory against Nguyen Thi Nga and Pham Da Thao of Hanoi; meanwhile, Hanoi T&T pair, Phan Huy Hoang and Nguyen Anh Tu demolished T&T teammates Tran Tuan Quynh and Ta Hong Khanh in the final to take home the gold medal.

Finally, Ho Chi Minh City Petrosetco came out on top of the women’s team event after beating Hanoi 3-1; meanwhile the Army team secured a convincing 3-0 win over Hai Duong to claim the men’s team championship title.

This year’s tournament drew the participation of 128 players from 16 teams around the country, competing for seven sets of medals in the men’s and women’s singles, doubles, mixed doubles and team events.

The tournament was co-organised by Nhan Dan newspaper, the General Department of Sports and Physical Training and the Vietnam Table Tennis Federation.

September 7-13: NA Chairman concludes US visit, PM starts working visit to Laos Related image(s)