The World Bank (WB) is willing to cooperate and support Vietnam in infrastructure development, and wants to share Vietnam’s experience with other countries in this sphere, said WB Vice President for Infrastructure Makhtar Diop. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and WB Vice President for Infrastructure Makhtar Diop (Source: VNA) During a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 21 in Hanoi, the bank official congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements in economic growth and social welfare. Many countries could learn from Vietnam’s experience in successfully transferring from a low-income to middle-income nation, while ensuring macroeconomic and social stability, he said. He hoped that Vietnam would continue playing an important role in developing the region and sub-region. Diop appreciated Vietnam’s power energy development, saying that the WB is ready to assist Vietnam in building the north-south expressway and waterway, as well as … [Read more...] about WB pledges to support Vietnam in infrastructure development
Nghe An strives to attract tourism investment
The central province of Nghe An has attracted a great number of tourism development projects over the last four years, especially those in ecotourism, related to accommodation and infrastructure, and resort tourism. As planned, local authorities will sign an investment agreement on February 23 with Asia Pacific Investment JSC to build a five-star hotel; as well as hand over a decision allowing the researching and planning of the Tan A Dai Thanh group’s Bai Lu 2 complex, which consists of villas, hotels, and an ecotourism area in Nghi Loc district. The locality has paid heed to promoting its potential and strengths – namely in geographical location, cultural heritage, and natural resources – towards creating breakthrough development for its tourism sector. It hopes to gradually turn the sector into an economic spearhead, thus contributing to fostering its economic growth. Nghe An is aiming to become one of the north central region’s tourism hubs, as well as one … [Read more...] about Nghe An strives to attract tourism investment
Britain softens Brexit stance in latest EU talks
The British government said on Thursday (Feb 21) that Brexit talks with the EU will focus on winning new guarantees to reassure eurosceptic MPs, rather than on demanding the divorce deal be re-opened. British Prime Minister Theresa May (left) meets EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels. (AFP/JOHN THYS) One day after Prime Minister Theresa May met EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, her Brexit minister and attorney general were back in Brussels for talks with EU negotiators. Afterwards, London said the "simplest way" to get a legally binding guarantee that "Irish backstop" clause in the deal is temporary would be to re-negotiate the accord. "That remains the government's position," a spokesman for Brexit minister Stephen Barclay said. But EU leaders insist the withdrawal agreement, which they struck with May at a summit last year, can not now be re-opened, even to appease British lawmakers. And London now appears to accept that this is a dead end and … [Read more...] about Britain softens Brexit stance in latest EU talks
Foreign reporters flock to Hanoi guesthouse, hotel ahead of Trump-Kim summit
Crews from top South Korean and Japanese media outlets like NHK, KBS, News1, and Yonhap have been thronging outside the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel and the National Government Guesthouse Residence in Hanoi since Monday morning. "We want to record all sideline events by the North Korean delegations for our readers," a South Korean reporter said. The correspondents made a big crowd as they saw the North Korean special envoy Kim Hyok-chol, who brought a delegation to Hanoi Wednesday, walking into the guesthouse at around 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Another high-ranking Hanoi official was seen entering the Metropole at around noon Thursday. Around 3,500 domestic and international reporters have requested accreditation for the second summit, media reports said. The greatest numbers of applications were from the U.S., South Korean and Japanese media outlets. The National Government Guesthouse Residence, also known as the Tonkin Palace, is at Ngo Quyen and Le Thach street corner in the … [Read more...] about Foreign reporters flock to Hanoi guesthouse, hotel ahead of Trump-Kim summit
Arsenal, Chelsea cruise into Europa League last 16
Arsenal's Sokratis Papastathopoulos scores his side's third goal past Bate goalkeeper Denis Scherbitski during the Europa League round of 32 second leg football match. (Souce: AP Photo/Matt Dunham) After falling 1-0 in Belarus, Arsenal were level on aggregate after just three minutes when Zakhar Volkov sliced Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's low cross past Denis Scherbitski in his own goal. Unai Emery's side deservedly went through thanks to two thumping headers from Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis either side of the break which put them into Friday's draw. "We wanted this result but also we wanted to play for our supporters here. We did our best to come back (in the tie) and the team worked very well," Emery told BT Sport. Ahead 2-1 from the first leg in Sweden, Chelsea had to wait until 10 minutes after the break for the first sign of excitement, Olivier Giroud tapping in the decisive goal of a humdrum encounter at Stamford Bridge. Ross Barkley made sure of the win with a super free-kick … [Read more...] about Arsenal, Chelsea cruise into Europa League last 16