Channel NewsAsia 12 Dec 07;
In the next phase of Vietnam's development, Mr Goh suggested that the government considers the impact of fast growth on the society. The government would also have to consider the impact of Vietnam's economic development on the environment.
HUE, Vietnam: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has likened the process of Vietnam's economic development to a marathon race and said the country's run could be an uphill task in the coming years.
He made this point in discussions with Vietnam's Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh at the Party Headquarters in Hanoi on Wednesday.
Mr Nong Duc Manh told Mr Goh that Vietnam considers Singapore a good model for its development and looks forward to further cooperation.
He also sought Mr Goh's views on developments in Vietnam.
Mr Goh, impressed by what he had seen in the last two days, urged Vietnam to consider what it must do to sustain its economic growth – plans that include its macroeconomic policies.
He said Vietnam would also need to keep investing in physical infrastructure such as airports and sea ports.
To do that, the country would need to make a greater investment in its human resources, which includes acquiring the necessary management, technical and professional skills.
Although Singapore would continue to help Vietnam as much as it could, Vietnam would have to adapt Singapore's experiences to suit its needs.
In the next phase of Vietnam's development, Mr Goh suggested that the government considers the impact of fast growth on the society.
The government would also have to consider the impact of Vietnam's economic development on the environment and how inflation could be managed.
The senior minister added that he is optimistic about Vietnam's growth potential in the years to come.-CNA/so
Keppel to develop Ho Chi Minh City's first waste-to-energy plant
Channel NewsAsia 12 Dec 07;
SINGAPORE: Keppel has received the green light to develop a waste-to-energy plant in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City.
It will be Vietnam's first such plant and also the biggest in Southeast Asia, outside Singapore.
It will be able to treat 2,000 tons of waste per day and generate more than 20 megawatts of green energy.
The plant will reduce the volume of waste by up to 90 percent.
This will extend the life of existing landfills and free up more land for commercial, industrial and residential uses.
Keppel says it will give details of the project when they are finalised.-CNA/so
Singapore a good role model, says Viet party leader
He asks SM Goh how Vietnam can keep up growth in harmonious way
Roger Mitton, Straits Times 13 Dec 07;
HANOI - THE head of Vietnam's ruling communist regime, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, told Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong that Singapore was considered a good role model for his country's future development.
At Tuesday's meeting, Mr Manh, who as party leader is the country's paramount political figure, asked Mr Goh how booming Vietnam could continue to prosper in a harmonious, stable way.
The Senior Minister stressed that Singapore is a city state, while Vietnam, as a big, populous country, is different and would need to adapt Singapore's experience to suit its own context.
Still, as the two men are friends from their previous meeting in 2003, Mr Goh was able to offer his views in a candid and engaging discussion that lasted an hour.
Mr Goh said Vietnam's economic development could be compared to a marathon which had gone smoothly on a level stretch for the first few kilometres.
Now, however, it was likely to start going uphill, and Vietnam would need more energy and resources to keep up the pace of its economic growth.
Among other things, it must invest in airports, sea ports and highways, while also nurturing the 'software' to support the hardware for this infrastructure upgrade.
And that, said Mr Goh, would require greater investment in human resources to provide the required managerial and professional expertise.
In running this marathon, Vietnam would also need to face the hurdles of rising inflation and a widening income gap caused by its rapid economic growth.
Despite these challenges, Mr Goh told Vietnam's party leader that Hanoi should push for double-digit growth to generate the resources needed to tackle income disparity and assist poorer sectors of society.
Mr Ho Tong Yen, the Senior Minister's spokesman, said Mr Goh remained 'optimistic about Vietnam's growth potential in the years to come'.
'Singapore will continue to help Vietnam as much as we can, sharing our experience where it is relevant,' he said.
Mr Goh left Hanoi yesterday morning for the historic city of Hue in central Vietnam.
It was his first visit to the region, and he took the opportunity to extol its historic and scenic tourist potential.
As Vietnam's former imperial capital, Hue is the site of the Citadel, built in the early 17th century, which houses the Imperial Palace, Vietnam's answer to Beijing's Forbidden City.
As Mr Goh toured the attractions of the Citadel, he was surrounded by tourists, including parties from Singapore and Malaysia.
Last year, more than 105,000 Singaporeans visited Vietnam, an increase of 42 per cent over the year before.
Hue's other attractions include the elaborate tombs of many of the country's 13 former emperors.
Yesterday evening, Hue's provincial and city leaders met Mr Goh at the Imperial Palace in a room that was used by the emperors to receive foreign dignitaries.
There, provincial Communist Party secretary Ho Xuan Man told Mr Goh that Hue would like to attract more Singapore investment.
Mr Goh suggested that being a beautiful and centrally located city with excellent historic attractions, Hue could position itself as an international convention centre.
As a convention hub, Hue would naturally attract additional investments by hotels, and in turn draw more tourists, he said.
Later, Mr Goh was the guest of honour at a colourful gala dinner in the Vuu Hu Room at the Imperial Palace.
Today, he will travel south to the historic port town of Hoi An.
