Islander-support programme announced

A programme named “Accompanying Vietnamese garment and textile businesses for the sake of islanders” was announced in Hanoi on September 17.
A programme named “Accompanying Vietnamese garment and textile businesses for the sake of islanders” was announced in Hanoi on September 17.

The purpose of the programme is to call on Vietnamese consumers to choose products made by Vietnamese garment and textile businesses, and at the same time assist in the implementation of the national marine strategy up to 2020.

According to organisers, for each one million VND the consumers spend buying the products of Vietnamese businesses, 2,500 VND will go to a fund that will be used to help improve the living conditions of Vietnamese islanders and members of the navy.

This is not to be interpreted as a sign of protectionism, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said at the announcing ceremony, which was held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Nhan Dan (The People) newspaper, the Navy, the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, and the Vietnam National Garment and Textile Group.

Rather, this is a lofty and beautiful act of patriotism and a boon to the consumption culture, Hai said.

The move will not only help domestic businesses overcome the current difficulties caused by the global economic crisis but also contribute to ameliorating the living conditions of fellow-citizens and soldiers, he stressed.

In its first phase, the programme will kick off at the beginning of the 4th quarter and last through the end of the year 2011. More than 50 billion VND is expected to be mobilised during this phase.

The remainder of the programme is scheduled to take place through 2020.

Among others projects, money collected from the programme will be used to carry out vocational training and job creation programmes for the islanders, the organisers said./.

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