The businesses include Saigon Jewelry Company Limited (SJC), the Export-Import Bank of Vietnam (Eximbank), Saigon Co.op, and the Asia Commercial Bank (ACB).

President Triet wished that the businesses would develop in a fast, strong and sustainable manner.

At the SJC, President Triet highlighted the company’s achievements with a record turnover of over US$5 billion, helping thus to stabilize the gold and gems stone market. He wished that the SJC would continue its efforts to expand its markets, develop SJC into the strongest corporation in the country and strive to become the leading trademark in the world.

At Eximbank, President Triet praised the bank’s efforts in overcoming last year’s difficulties and making gigantic steps forward to increase its total assets to VND131,126 billion and chartered capital to VND10,560 billion, becoming thus a joint stock commercial banks with the largest chartered capital in Vietnam.

President Triet also expressed his delight at the strong development of Sai Gon Co-op with average growth rate of over 40 percent per year. He reminded Saigon Coop of expanding the network of its supermarkets to all provinces and cities nationwide, especially in remote areas.

President Triet was glad to see that ACB has become the fifth largest joint stock bank in HCM City. He expressed his belief that with the advantages in obtaining capital, its wide network and diverse services, ACB would develop rapidly, and strive to secure a strong position in the regional and world markets. President of the Management Board Tran Xuan Gia and General Director Ly Xuan Hai promised ACB would become the fourth bank in Vietnam.

*** The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Deputy PMs Truong Vinh Trong, Hoang Trung Hai and Nguyen Thien Nhan also extended their Tet wishes to the staff of the Government Office.  

PM Dung highlighted the Government Office’s continuous work during the Tet shifts, and its timely reports to the PM and deputy PMs.

The PM also asked the staff to continue their concerted efforts to fulfill the plan for the country’s socio-economic development (2011-2015), especially by providing advice to the PM and deputy PMs so they can manage the country in a rapid and sustainable manner.

*** Deputy PM Nguyen Sinh Hung also paid a Tet visit to the civil servants from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Hanoi.

Mr Hung highlighted the agriculture sector’s contributions to the country’s socio-economic development. In 2010, in spite of natural calamities and epidemics, the sector continued to develop, fulfill and surpass the target set in the five year plan (2006-2010). The sector’s growth rate reached 2.8 percent.

 On the occasion of the New Year, Deputy PM urged the agriculture sector to continue to produce high-quality and new products to meet the exportrequirements. He also called on the sector to promote their advantages, maintain high rowth rate, and contribute to the development of the national economy, ensure social welfare as well as improve living conditions in rural areas, especially for poor people. 

For his part, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat expressed his belief that the sector would implement the set target successfully, with GDP growth reaching 3.5 percent and production value increasing by 4.5-5 percent.