VN President welcomes GTel Mobile leaders; Zarubezhneft chief receives Vietnamese honour; President Triet promises better care for the blind; Vietnam helps Laos build border check-point; Party leader receives outgoing Russian ambassador

President Nguyen Minh Triet received leaders and shareholders of the GTel Mobile Joint Stock Company (GTel Mobile) upon the debut of its Beeline network on July 20.

GTel Mobile is a joint venture between the Global Telecommunication Corporation under the Ministry of Public Security and VimpelCom, Russia’s second largest mobile phone operator, through the latter’s international brand name Beeline.

President Triet praised GTel Mobile’s efforts to quickly deploy the project, saying that it reflects the two countries’ resolve to beef up economic cooperation.

He spoke highly of the role of the joint venture, describing it as another important project in Vietnam-Russia economic cooperation, along with the Vietsovpetro oil and gas joint venture.

The State leader expressed his hope that with the traditional relationship between Vietnam and former Soviet Union, now the Russian Federation, more Russian groups would invest in Vietnam in the years to come.

Earlier in the day, GTel Mobile officially launched its Beeline network in the capital city of Hanoi, with the prefix number of 0199, becoming the 7th mobile service provider in the country.

Zarubezhneft chief receives Vietnamese honour

Nikolai Brunich, general director of the Russian Oil and Gas Joint Stock Company Zarubezhneft has been presented with Vietnam’s Labour Order, first class, in recognition of his contributions to the successful operation of Vietsovpetro and cooperation between Vietnam and Russia.

The Vietnamese ambassador to Russia, Bui Dinh Dinh, conferred the honour on Zarubezhneft general director at a ceremony in Moscow on July 20.

Addressing the event, Mr Dinh noted that economic ties between the two countries have grown and flourished in recent years and the Vietnam-Russia Oil and Gas Joint Venture Enterprise (Vietsovpetro) is an exemplary role model for future effective cooperation in the oil and gas field.

Meanwhile, Nikolai Brunich vowed to make further contributions to fostering cooperative ties between the two countries.

President Triet promises better care for the blind

The Party and State are committed to helping visually impaired people overcome difficulties and integrate into the community, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

While working with the Vietnam Blind Association in Hanoi on July 21, Mr Triet praised the association for its achievements during the past 40 years, saying it has become a common centre where visually impaired people can share sympathy and help each other surmount difficulties in their lives.

He noted that occupational rehabilitation services have offered the blind a chance to get a steady job, helping them overcome a deep-rooted feeling of inferiority, and have instilled determination into thousands of members of the association.

He encouraged the blind to have the courage, burning ambition and confidence to overcome their challenge and become useful citizens. He also asked relevant ministries and localities to make recommendations to the Party and State on ways to improve the lives of blind people.

On this occasion, the chairman of the Vietnam Blind Association, Dao Soat, presented the association’s insignia “For Happiness of the Blind” to President Nguyen Minh Triet.

The Vietnam Blind Association has established 43 chapters in provinces and cities with a total of 60,000 members. It has loaned more than VND38 billion to its members and established 318 workshops attracting over 4,000 members with monthly incomes ranging from VND500,000-1,000,000 each.

An Giang must use every resource to combat smuggling

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai directed this at a meeting with the leaders of the Mekong Delta province of An Giang on July 20.

After visiting the Tinh Bien border gate economic zone, Mr Hai called on border post 933 and Long Binh national border gate in An Phu District. He praised their efforts to maintain peace and friendly relations with neighbouring provinces as well as combat smuggling.

While working with An Giang provincial leaders, Mr Hai highly underlined the progress the province has made in socio-economic development. He said that the main issues of import-export activities, anti-smuggling measures, the prevention of trade fraud, economic development, and local people’s living standards have all recorded significant results. The import-export value through the five border gates in Vinh Xuong, Tinh Bien, Khanh Binh, Vinh Hoi Dong and Bac Dai districts in the first five months of this year reached US$1 billion.

However, deputy Prime Minister Hai said that smuggling is still rife and local people’s living conditions are still difficult. In addition, the construction industry, and trade and services in the border gate economic zones are developing too slowly. Therefore, in the future, the province must use every resource to combat smuggling, especially cigarettes and sugar. The province should call for investment from public sources and promote private resources to develop the infrastructure, Mr Hai said.

Mr Hai also agreed to consider 9 petitions submitted by the province.

Vietnam helps Laos build border check-point

Vietnam has provided over VND29.5 billion for Laos between 2008 and 2010 to build a cross-border check-point at the Phu Cua International Border Gate in Attapeu province, according to the Central Highland province of Kon Tum’s Department of Planning and Investment.

Covering a site of 27,000 sq.m, the check-point will include a two-storey office block which will accommodate an inspections room, a guard post, a rest room for staff, the electricity and water systems, a parking area and a garden.

Once operational in 2010, the check-point, together with the Bo Y-Phu Cua International Border Gate, will facilitate trading and tourism activities between Kon Tum province and localities in Laos, which will strengthen diplomatic ties amongst nations along the East-West Economic Corridor.

Apart from helping Attapeu province to build the check-point in Kon Tum province has also helped to conduct surveys and comprehensive socio-economic development plans for the Dak Bar border gate in Sekong province’s Dak Chung district.

Party leader receives outgoing Russian ambassador

Vietnam always attaches much importance to strengthening the ties of traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Russia for the sake of the two countries’ long-term interests, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh at a reception for the outgoing Russian Ambassador in Hanoi on July 20.

The meeting took place before the Russian Ambassador Vadim Seraphimov concluded his working term in Vietnam.

Mr Manh expressed his delight at fine development of Vietnam-Russia ties in recent years and praised the ambassador’s contribution to strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. He asked Mr Seraphomov to convey his best regards to President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Vice President visits Binh Dinh

The national teachers’ festival in Binh Dinh has provided a good opportunity for vocational teachers to share their experiences in applying new teaching methods in vocational training, said State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

She made the statement during her meeting with the teaching staff of the Quy Nhon Vocational College in the central province of Binh Dinh on July 19.

The Vice State President praised them for successfully holding the teachers’ festival, which, she said, is essential in efforts to train qualified staff to meet the country’s requirements for socio-economic development.

The festival for vocational trainers has drawn more than 1,400 delegates, including 258 teachers from 55 provinces and cities across the country.

On July 20, State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan presented gifts to the families of social policy beneficiaries in the Tuy Phuoc district.

PV