Secretary General of UNCTAD Supachai Panitchpakdi says Viet Nam should focus on long-term, not short-term, growth during the current global financial crisis.

The collapse of giant American financial in stitutions has pushed the world closer to a global financial crisis. What do you think the new world economy will look like when the crisis is over?

The world is entering the second generation of globalisation. In the process, we will see the emergence of the New South. It means the New South will be stronger in terms of trading capacity.

As you see, China is now the world’s second largest exporter after Germany. It used to be seventh and eighth some years ago. You are seeing what I called a capital paradox. That is, capital flowing from developing countries to more advanced economies instead of vice versa, which is a normal thing.

In the second generation of globalisation, you will see more inclusive participation of all the regions of the world. It is not a one-way street as was the case during the beginning of globalisation, when companies from the First World would invest in the South.

Sidney (VNA) –Six members of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee (HCMCYU CC), including three National Assembly deputies, have arrived in Australia for a working visit.

The delegation, headed by HCMCYU CC first Secretary Vo Van Thuong, will meet with politicians and young members of parliament in New South Wales and Victoria States .

During the visit, made at the invitation of the Australian Political Exchange Council (APEC), the delegation will to pay courtesy visits to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, and attend an interpellation session of the Parliament.

Seoul (VNA)– The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s government is considering resuming food assistance to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) next month, local media reported.

The Unification Ministry and the ruling Grand National Party have reached an agreement to resume food aid either through direct shipments or via the World Food Programme (WFP), Yonhap news agency on September 8 quoted a party’s official as saying.

The RoK suspended its food and other economic aid to Pyongyang after President Lee Myung-Bak took office in February. He wants to link aid to progress in Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament. –Enditem

HA NOI — The Government and people of Viet Nam would spare no efforts to boost co-operative relations with Japan, particularly in the areas of economy, trade and investment, to bring practical benefits to both countries.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the statement while receiving a 37-strong Japanese business delegation headed by Hiroyuki Yoshino, a senior advisor of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Ha Noi yesterday.

The Prime Minister said he was delighted at positive developments in bilateral ties between the two nations, especially in economy, trade and investment, adding that Japan was a leading investor and official development assistance (ODA) provider in Viet Nam.

"The two countries are aiming at building a strategic partnership to not only foster bilateral co-operation, but also to promote development in the region as a whole," he said.

BEIJING — Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met Chinese government and state leaders here yesterday to discuss measures to deepen bilateral co-operation.

After a red-carpet welcome, PM Dung and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao shared satisfaction at sound developments in all areas of bilateral relations and discussed measures to promote a co-operative partnership.

HA NOI — A diverse banquet of culture and art will be presented to the Russian people when Days of Vietnamese Culture in Russia kicks off in Moscow on Monday.

During the five-day event, several programmes, which express the unique and rich Vietnamese culture, will take place in the city.

According to director, People’s Artist Tran Binh, the programme will feature different art forms, including traditional song and dance, chamber music, and fashion featuring contemporary music.

"The programme divides into two parts. While the first part, Huong Sac Viet Nam (Vietnamese Fragrances and Colours), is devoted only to traditional art forms, the second one will present other art and musical forms and ao dai(traditional dress) fashion show," Binh said.

Vietnam and Norway will boost their on-going cooperation in shipping, shipbuilding, oil and gas, hydro-electricity, fisheries, environmental protection, education and healthcare. 

HA NOI — The second ASEAN Consultative Committee for Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) Forum, was held today in conjunction with a Seminar on Information Security Management Systems.

This forum aims to promote conformity of standards in ASEAN countries, to support the realisation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), as a single market plugged into the global economy, said Shirly Ramesh.

ULAANBAATAR — Viet Nam President Nguyen Minh Triet yesterday wrapped up his two-day visit to Mongolia by urging Vietnamese investors to explore investment opportunities in the north Asian nation.

Triet said this would not only boost two-way trade, but also be a gesture of gratitude to Mongolian people for their war-time support of Viet Nam. The President made the remarks at a bilateral business forum in the Mongolian capital.

He told hundreds of entrepreneurs that present trade and investment was far from the potential of both countries and so more effort should be spent on looking for promising markets.

He suggested the two governments create favourable conditions for business, given the present economic restraints.