Overseas Vietnamese key for development

The Government should encourage the overseas Vietnamese community to play a more active role in developing the nation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thanh Son told media on May 16.
The Government should encourage the overseas Vietnamese community to play a more active role in developing the nation, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Thanh Son told media on May 16.

While Resolution 36/NQ-TW dated in 2004 by the Vietnamese Communist Party Politburo created basic policies to address many of the needs of overseas Vietnamese, conservative views held by ministries and agencies concerning their reasons for leaving the country prevented many from returning to invest in Viet Nam.

"Overseas Vietnamese are a very important resource for the country," said Son, who is also head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese.

There are currently around 4.5 million Vietnamese living in 103 countries and territories. Last year, total remittances reached 11 billion USD, in addition to the 9 billion USD that overseas Vietnamese invested in projects in the country.

He emphasised that the Government welcomed everyone who returned with goodwill for the purpose of peace and national construction.

"Detailed measures and actions should be mapped out to change the mindset of conservative people both inside and outside the country. This will contribute to national reconciliation," Son said.

He recommended that Resolution 36 be revised or a new resolution of its kind be created to affirm and promote the important role of overseas Vietnamese.

At the press briefing yesterday, Deputy Minister Son said that a meeting marking the decade of implementation of Resolution 36 would be held in Hanoi on May 20 and 21.

The meeting will attract about 300 delegates including Party, State and Government leaders and overseas Vietnamese representatives.

They will discuss policies to ensure the rights of overseas Vietnamese as well as Government support for them to integrate into host countries and contribute to Vietnam's development and national unity.-VNA

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