FPT becomes Linksys’s distributor

Hanoi (VNA) – The FPT Distribution, a subsidiary of Vietnam ’s leading IT group Financing and Promoting Technology (FPT), has been chosen as an authorised agent of Linksys, an arm of the Cisco Systems group.

Under their freshly-signed agreement, FPT Distribution will be allowed to release Linksys’s products of wireless, audio and internet technology through its 956 agents in 53 provinces and cities in Vietnam .

Linksys Sales Manager for Asia-Pacific Boon Ping Tang said FPT Distribution, a distributor pursuing a strategy towards clients, was Linksys’s strategic selection.

He also said that in a near future, Linksys will penetrate more deeply into the Vietnamese market by expanding its network of agents and warranty centres.

FPT Distribution General Director Tran Quoc Binh said the deal showed Linksys’s confidence in his group.

According to him, Linksys’s requirements are strictly demanding with network of agent and sales staff as well as other issues such as consultancy, marketing, technology assistance, financial capacity, and distribution experiences.

Set up in 1988, Linksys is known for its products of wireless and audio for consumers and small and medium-scaled enterprises.-

Production in inter-Korean complex hits 400 mln USD

Seoul (VNA) - The total output by factories from the Republic of Korea operating in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has exceeded 400 million USD, the RoK’s Unification Ministry said on September 15.

Companies at the Kaesong industrial complex produced goods worth a total of 410 million USD between January 2005, when the compound was opened, and July this year. One-fifth of all goods produced were exported, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the Unification Ministry’s sources.

The output in the first seven months of this year amounted to 140 million USD, up 51 percent from the same period last year.

The complex, a key symbol of rapprochement between the two Koreas, has continued to expand despite a chill in inter-Korean relations under the RoK’s conservative administration, which took office early this year.

As of August, 79 firms operated in the area, employing more than 32,000 DPRK workers. More than 40 RoK companies also plan to set up new factories in Kaesong by the end of this year, the ministry said.-

RoK to send energy aid to DPRK under six-party accord

The Republic of Korea (RoK) will deliver a portion of the energy assistance promised to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) under a six-nation nuclear disarmament deal by next month, local media reported.

The government plans to ship 1,500 tonnes of round steel bars by September 25, with an additional 1,500 tonnes next month, Yonhap news agency on September 16 quoted a government source as saying.

The shipment is part of the 1 million tonnes of heavy fuel oil or equivalent energy assistance that the DPRK’s five negotiating partners – RoK, the United States, Japan, China and Russia – promised to provide under the six-party deal signed in February last year. –

EU promises grant for Indonesian education

Jakarta (VNA) - The European Union is committed to granting between 200 million USD and 250 million USD (2.3 billion rupiah) for Indonesia ’s education sector development on 2009, according to local media.
“Based on the Paris Declaration, international donors should be harmonised and synchronised their funding programme with the recipient countries,” Secretary of the National Planning Board Syahrial Loetan was quoted by Antara as saying.

The grant money will be registered in the national budget (APBN). The foreign fund is apart from the 2009 education’s APBN worth 224 billion rupiah or 20 percent from the 2009 APBN, Antara added.-

Russia contributes 1 million USD to fund with ASEAN

Hanoi (VNA) – Russia has contributed another 500,000 USD to the ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Partnership Financial Fund (DPFF), bringing its total amount of money to the DPFF to 1 million USD, said ASEAN Secretariat.

ASEAN’s Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said on the ASEAN Secretariat’s website that the joint activities to be conducted under the DPFF will “help to promote better relations and mutual understanding between ASEAN and Russia in a broad range of areas and increase people-to-people contacts”.

The DPFF was set up by the Russian government to facilitate cooperation between ASEAN and Russia in areas of science and technology, trade, culture, education, energy and others.

Its establishment is in accordance to an Agreement on Economic and Development Cooperation signed between the governments of ASEAN and the Russian government in 2005.

A Roadmap on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Programme of Action to promote cooperation between ASEAN and Russia (2005-2015) was adopted at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences +1 Session with Russia in July this year in Singapore.-

Cambodia to build new bridge connecting with Vietnam

– Cambodia will build a bridge connecting Kandal province’s Chrey Thom district with Vietnam in a bid to boost cross-border trade, local media reported on September 16.

The 20 million USD – bridge will become an international checkpoint, where business will increase because of easier transportation, the Phnom Penh Post quoted Em Sovannara, Head of the regional political department at the Council of Ministers International Relations Department, as saying.

According to Mao Thora, Undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Commerce, there are approximately 40 international and local border crossing between Cambodia and Vietnam.

The ministry is looking for ways to expand trade ties, he said, adding that trade between the two countries is expected to reach 1.5 billion USD this year. –

TAQ1906.004 Singapore to amend Constitution to draw more income

Hanoi (VNA) – The Singaporean government wants to increase the amount of income it would have by investing Singapore’s reserves, the Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

This requires an amendment to the country’s Constitution, which was tabled in Parliament on September 15, the Singaporean news network said.

Currently, the government can spend up to 50 percent of actual interest and dividend income gained from investing Singapore’s reserves. This spending rule is meant to safeguard the country’s reserves.

The government now wants to expand the pool of investment returns to include capital gains and losses, while maintaining the 50 percent spending cap.

The proposed new framework will apply to assets managed by the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and those owned by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), according to CNA. –

Tonkin Gulf, sanctuary of 4,500 biological species

Hanoi (VNA)- Scientists have determined 4,499 biological species living in the Tonkin Gulf after conducting four surveys.
They include 60 species of wetland plants, 330 species of alga, six species of seaweeds, 318 species of ephemeral plants, 236 species of ephemeral creatures, 2,092 species of seabed creatures, 199 species of coral reefs, 1,198 species of sea fish, 22 species of sea birds and 38 species of sea beasts and reptiles.

The surveys were part of a scientific project on habitats of Tonkin Gulf natural resources and environment conducted recently by a group of scientists headed by Dr. Nguyen Tue Tuong from the Vietnam National Metrological and Hydrological Centre.–