A seminar was held in Hanoi on May 2 to discuss Vietnam’s participation in the “Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), according to Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) website.

Vietnam is mentioned in a feasibility study report as a destination for business involved in the exploitation of mineral ores, especially in the context of international integration.

The report recommends that Vietnam should participate in the EITI to secure its role in the ASEAN region, and its link to the European Union in the process of building an ASEAN economic community by 2015.

Participants expressed hopes that the mining sector will make a greater contribution to the national growth when mineral ores are exploited in a transparent and scientific manner.

The UK ambassador to Vietnam, Antony Stokes, said Vietnam is very rich in natural resources and its participation in the EITI will make the exploitation and use of mineral resources more economical to improve the country’s prestige in the international arena.-VNA