President lauds war veterans for contributions to socio-economic development hinh anh 1President Tran Dai Quang (first line, middle), former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu (first line, third, left), former President Truong Tan Sang (first line, third, right) and delegates to the congress pose for a group photo. (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang has applauded the contributions of businesses run by war veterans to socio-economic development of localities and the country as well.

Speaking at the second congress of the Vietnam Veterans’ Business Association (VVBA) in Hanoi on August 8, the President said the association should help its members develop commercial production, intensify scientific-technological applications in production and promote high value added services, thus helping with poverty reduction.

The association was also requested to help remove difficulties facing the enterprises, replicate outstanding models and join hands in charity activities, especially drives to help war invalids and families of fallen soldiers..

The VVBA was established in April 2013, aiming to encourage war veterans to carry forward the spirit of self-reliance; support each other in economic development and poverty reduction; and step up charity activities.

The association now has 38 chapters with 7,728 businesses and 82,791 farms run by war veterans, with total revenue of nearly 200 trillion VND (8.6 billion USD), generating jobs for more than 800,000 labourers.

It has financed the construction of nearly 450 houses for social policy beneficiaries and contributed 524 billion VND (22.5 million USD) to charity activities and poverty reduction.

On this occasion, President Quang presented the Labour Order, third class, to the association; and the Labour Order, first class, to its President - Labour Hero Le Van Kiem.-VNA

VNA