Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam commits to working to fulfil ASEAN’s targetsin 2018, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh recently told the media.
In an interview, Anh said as ASEAN Chairman this year,Singapore set priorities for the bloc’s cooperation, including the ASEANAgreement on Electronic Commerce, establishment of an ASEAN Smart CitiesNetwork, putting ASEAN-wide self-certification of certificates of origin intooperation, signing Agreement on Trade in Services, stepping up theimplementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement, andintensifying the bloc’s diplomatic relations.
Vietnam will maintain close coordination with other ASEANmember states in carrying out the AEC 2025 Strategic Action Plan (SAP), whileworking with them to address problems to ensure the Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership (RCEP) brings about fair benefits for all parties.
It will also work with other ASEAN countries in realizingcommitments of ASEAN-plus-one free trade agreements (FTAs), including reviewingthe second phase of the ASEAN–Australia–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement(AANZFTA), Anh stated.
Notably, in 2018, Vietnam will assume the role of the chairmanof the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Economic Ministers’Meeting to be held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting inSingapore, he added.
The minister also said that since joining the ASEAN freetrade area in 1996, Vietnam has enjoyed continuous growth in terms of tradewith ASEAN. Two-way trade increased by 7.7 folds, from 5.91 billion USD at thattime to 45.23 billion USD in the first 11 months of 2017. In the first sevenmonths of this year, import-export value between Vietnam and ASEAN was valued at28.1 billion USD, of which 12.2 billion USD came from Vietnam’s exports.
Within the framework of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement(ATIGA), 98 percent of total tariff lines are reduced to zero, Anh said.
To anticipate opportunities brought by the formation of theASEAN Economic Community by 2025 and bring into full play incentives offered byFTAs within the framework of ASEAN, Vietnamese enterprises should improve theircompetitiveness, find out an appropriate product structure and better theirawareness of Vietnam’s interests and obligations when joining FTAs, hesuggested.-VNA
The Vietnamese Embassy in Chile, as rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Santiago (ACS), coordinated with representative agencies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand in organising a ceremony on August 8 to mark the 51st founding anniversary of ASEAN.
Vietnam has made significant contributions to promoting collaboration in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, one of the three pillars in the ASEAN Community.
The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) has proven its special position in the building of the ASEAN Community, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung wrote in an article on the occasion of the 51st founding anniversary of the ASEAN.
The central city of Da Nang plans to build a logistics complex to position itself as an international-standard logistics centre for Vietnam, ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region by 2030.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh (Source: VNA) 
