Mr Trung: The number of Overseas Vietnamese returning home increased from 100,000 in 2005 to 140,000 in 2006 (up 40 percent). Drastic changes in the country will be a driving force behind attracting more overseas Vietnamese.

We have sent young volunteers to the Tan Son Nhat Airport to assist overseas Vietnamese during the peak time from January 9 to February 28. Meanwhile, police, customs officers and administrative agencies have pledged to help them with clearance of necessary procedures as quickly as possible.

On  February 7, the Municipal People’s Committee organised a get-together for overseas Vietnamese to welcome Tet, with the participation of 400 Vietnamese nationals, 150 guests and municipal authorities.

Reporter: What is your assessment of overseas Vietnamese’s contributions to the city’s development process in recent times, especially in 2006?

Mr Trung:  In terms of science and technology, we have encouraged many Vietnamese intellectuals living abroad to actively contribute to the development of the home country.

Thousands of overseas Vietnamese-invested enterprises have been established in the city. In 2006, 383 more enterprises of its kind invested in the country to help build industrial parks or set up banks.
Over the past few years, Vietnamese people living abroad have sent a great deal of remittance back to the homeland. Last year, the remittance was 15 percent higher than in 2005. In the past, money was sent home for family affairs, and now, as living conditions are getting better, money is sent for business investment.

Reporter: Attracting investment from overseas Vietnamese is not only to link them with people at home, but also to help them further contribute to the homeland. What has Ho Chi Minh City been doing to attract more overseas Vietnamese, particularly in business and investment?

Mr Trung: We have tried to solve difficulties they are facing in doing business in the homeland. We have just submitted three proposals to the city authorities. First, we have proposed improving administrative procedures by shortening the time needed for licence granting or clearance of other procedures. For example, granting a certificate of blood-relation now takes between one and three days instead of months like before.

Second, we will review issued policies to promote appropriate policies, as well as amending old and inappropriate ones. Third, we will adjust policies towards overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, particularly those working in the technical industry, so as to attract more to the homeland.

Reporter: What are the main tasks relating to overseas Vietnamese that Ho Chi Minh City will fulfil in 2007?

Mr Trung: In 2007, we will further promote communication activities so that overseas Vietnamese can understand the Party and State policies. Vietnamese people living abroad must be provided with precise information about current socio-economic development within the country.

In addition, we will facilitate the operation of the Technical Science Club to gather more overseas Vietnamese intellectuals. We will also organise cooperation programmes to link domestic and overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and experts.

For example, the committee held a seminar on February 2 on roles of overseas Vietnamese in the WTO implementation process, and attracted overseas Vietnamese technicians and scientists into the training field at home. Recently, an overseas Vietnamese doctor has translated a book written by Hongda – a renowned Japanese business – about trade experiences. This is a fine initial result of encouraging overseas Vietnamese experts to translate valuable works to improve knowledge for Vietnamese people, especially for young people to successfully fulfill the integration process.

The committee has accelerated exporting Vietnamese goods to foreign countries through overseas Vietnamese enterprises, creating a new competitiveness for Vietnamese products.

Regarding culture, the committee has paid great attention to promoting “Overseas Vietnamese contributions to the homeland” book and asked for permission to set up “Que Nha” (Homeland) newspaper to promulgate information at home.

Reporter: Resolution 36 on overseas Vietnamese is a big policy of the Party and State. How does the Ho Chi Minh City implement the resolution after three years of issuance?

Mr Trung: During the past three years, the resolution has been thoroughly implemented with a wide range of activities. For instance, the committee helped the city’s Party Committee and People’s Committee to organize a meeting with overseas Vietnamese with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai presence at Tet 2005. The meeting left deep impressions on overseas Vietnamese.

The committee has paid attention to promoting overseas Vietnamese intellectuals. The City established an overseas Vietnamese scientific club which has attracted nearly 180 overseas Vietnamese, of which 60 percent returned home to participate. The club works as a bridge between overseas Vietnamese intellectuals and the homeland.

The committee has also published the “Overseas Vietnamese contributions to the homeland” book which helps both young Vietnamese people and overseas Vietnamese have a better understanding about the ongoing contribution to Vietnam made by overseas Vietnamese.

Reporter: Thank you very much.