Most Vietnamese enterprises operate on a small scale with little capital and low labour productivity. In addition, low technological levels are considered the largest barriers to increase businesses’ competitive capacity.

Following achievements in economic reforms, the conclusion of the 10th National Party Congress showed that Vietnam was entering a new period of political reform in Vietnam.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom recently released the 2006 annual report on the religious situation around the world. In a nine-page section regarding Vietnam, the commission still gave wrong information about the current development in the country. It even proposed that the US Government continue to keep Vietnam on the list of “countries of particular concern” (CPC).

According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, only 9 percent of businesses invest in agriculture and 7 percent of foreign direct investment (FDI) is allocated for the agricultural area while more than 70 percent of the nation’s population engage in agricultural production. Obviously, investment capital for agriculture and rural development is too low.

On May 3, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders released an annual report, which included Vietnam on the list of countries without press freedom. This is a completely groundless fabrication denying the reality in Vietnam in an attempt to serve reactionary forces which are opposing the country.

The most remarkable signs in recent times are the satisfactory results of export-import activities. In the past fourth months, Vietnam earned US$12.1 billion in export turnover, up 25.1 percent over the same period from a year earlier. This means that the average of export turnover reached more than US$3 billion per month and this year’s total export turnover will be as much as last year’s level of more than US$36 billion.

Ten years after the 6th National Party Congress, Vietnam fulfilled or even surpassed all socio-economic development targets set for the 1991-1995 period. The country really escaped the economic crisis. In the past 10 years, Vietnam’s economy has developed steadily with an annual GDP growth rate of 7.5 percent.

Due to fluctuations in the price of gold over the past days, it is expected that the cost of petrol is likely to rise on the local market. Meanwhile, stocks have also seen constant rises on the trading floor, leading to warnings from experts about careful investments.

During the past 20 years, Vietnam’s Doi Moi (Renewal) process has been recognised worldwide as a successful example of an economy in the transitional period from a centrally planned and subsidised economy to a market economy. However, many economists have said the Renewal process is facing new challenges ahead.

Many people say that the 10th National Party Congress marks a turning point in Vietnam’s history. Can the congress fulfill its key tasks? When the congress opened, all people strongly believed that it will be successful. Only time will tell.

The 10th national congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam officially begins at the Ba Dinh Conference Hall in Hanoi on April 18, with the participation of nearly 1,180 delegates representing more than three million Party members throughout the country.

Since late last year, domestic commercial banks, both State and non-State owned, still continue to maintain competition through increasing interest rates. This may prove the best choice for banks with large capital to provide loans. However, the old paradox of capital supply-demand relationship in the market has not yet been resolved.

The Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee welcomes the heartfelt, constructive and trustworthy opinions and high sense of responsibility expressed by people from all social strata towards the draft political report to be presented at the upcoming 10th National Party Congress. It also strongly criticises and rejects the wrong opinions of bad elements aimed at denying the path to socialism in Vietnam.

Investigations into the graft scandal at the Project Management Unit 18 (PMU 18) are underway and more thrilling details are expected to come out soon. Senior officials have said that all offences committed by anyone regardless of their ranks or social status should be strictly punished to restore people’s trust.

Anyone of us clearly understands the saying “Talent is the life-sustaining element of the nation”. A society that knows how to make the most of the capabilities of its talented people will be a developed one. We have repeatedly underscored the need to use and attract talented people in building and enriching the nation. But not much has been done.

Although GDP for the first quarter of this year stood at 7.3 percent, 0.1 percent lower than the corresponding period last year, breakthroughs have been made in several areas that have remained static over the past 15 years. These breakthroughs will help the national economy overcome weaknesses and fulfil major targets set for 2006.

The Ethnic Minority Congress of Great Unity in Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) shows the ironclad determination of Tay Nguyen ethnic groups to follow the Party and Uncle Ho’s teachings: ”Vietnam is one country. The Vietnamese are one nation. Tay Nguyen is part of Vietnamese land. Tay Nguyen people are Vietnamese and Tay Nguyen ethnic groups are always united to stand shoulder to shoulder in the community of Vietnamese ethnic groups.”

Rapacity is one of the chronic diseases that Vietnam has made every effort to combat it over the years to regain people’s trust in State management agencies, particularly the inspection sector. One of the solutions is to conduct a clean sweep of inspectors to select competent ones with a high sense of responsibility and revolutionary virtues to fulfil missions entrusted to them by the Party, State and people.

Corruption is considered an “internal invader” in Vietnam-one of four main threats to the existence of the regime. Therefore, coping with such a formidable enemy, there is no alternative but to strictly abide by laws.

The US Department of State has recently released its annual report on the human rights situation in many countries around the world, including Vietnam. In a recent issue, Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) newspaper said that despite its acknowledgement of improvements in human rights compared to previous years, the report still contains prejudiced views and impositions in its assessments of the situation in Vietnam.

According to economic experts, to maintain the sustainable development of the national economy, three urgent measures need to be done, with a focus on developing enterprises, improving the investment environment and promoting trade activities.

Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdec Preach Norodom Shihamoni is visiting Vietnam from March 16-18, at the invitation of Vietnamese State President Tran Duc Luong. This is the first visit by Mr N.Shihamoni as King of Cambodia. Vietnam and Cambodia established diplomatic ties on June 24, 1967 and since then their relations have constantly been developed and consolidated in all fields.

Vietnam earned US$5.56 billion from exports and spent US$5.4 billion on imports in January-February 2006, creating an export surplus of nearly US$170 million. This is the first time in the past 10 years Vietnam has achieved an export surplus. Although the surplus amount was small, it is of great significance to Vietnam.

The differences in a country’s political system, level of development, history and culture in contrast to other nations, such as between Vietnam and the US, resulted in different views and approaches towards human rights. It is unacceptable for one country to impose its view and approach on other countries.

The March 6-7 visit to Cambodia by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai is a vivid manifestation of the friendship, solidarity and trust between leaders and people of the two countries. It shows Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening ties with Cambodia under the motto “Neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and long lasting, durable and comprehensive co-operation.”

During the past few years, many corruption cases featuring sly tricks and acts of wastefulness were detected by the press and both corrupt individuals and collectives have been prosecuted by legal agencies. However, a number of corruption cases in recent times have involved new tricks.

The establishment of economic groups is a new concept for Vietnam in terms of macro-economic management. This requires policy makers to grasp all issues, from organisational skills to management mechanisms, for economic groups to enable them to secure a firm foothold in the competitive global marketplace.

The European Union has announced that it would impose duties of up to 19.4 percent and 16.8 percent for imports of Chinese and Vietnamese leather shoes, respectively. Not only Vietnamese shoemakers, but also European importers reacted strongly, considering the move as a trade protection measure for shoemakers in East and South Europe.

The first Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM I) and related conferences began in Hanoi on February 20. This was considered a good start of Vietnam APEC Year 2006, which will comprise 110 conferences with a focus on the summit meeting scheduled for November.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai's visit to Indonesia takes place at a time when the friendly and multi-faceted cooperative ties between Vietnam and Indonesia have seen fine developments. During the visit, the two sides will concretise the implementation of the "Declaration on the Framework of Friendly and Comprehensive Cooperation Entering the 21st Century" and seek measures to boost multi-faceted co-operation for mutual benefit.