H.E. NGUYEN TAN DUNG

Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Date of birth : November 17, 1949
Native land : Ca Mau City, Cau Mau Province
Education : Bachelor of Law, High-Level Political Theory

Summary of Professional Career:

Nov.1961 - Sept. 1981:    Served in the Army and the Military Medical Company in the southern province of Rach Gia; Senior Lieutenant, Chief Political Officer of Infantry Batallion 207; Captain, Political Chief of Infantry Regiment 152,  defending the Southwestern border; Major-Head of the Personnel Board of Kien Giang Province’s Military Command.

June 10, 1967: admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)

Oct.1981 - Dec. 1994   :  Enrolled  at  the  High-level  Nguyen  Ai  Quoc  Party
School; Member of the Standing Committee of the Keing Giang Provincial Party Committee’s Organisation Board;  Secretary of the Ha Tien District Party Committee; Permanent Deputy Secretary, Kien Giang Party Committee and Chairman of Kien Giang People’s Committee; Member of Provincial People’s Council Secretary of the Kien Giang Party Committee; Secretary of the Provincial Military Party Committee, Member of Military Zone 9 Party Committee.

Jan.1995 - May 1996    :   Deputy Minister for Home Affairs; Member of Central Police Party Committee

June 1996 - Aug.1997  :  Member of the Politburo and Politburo Standing Committee; Director of the CPV Central Committee’s Economic Commission, in charge of financial affairs of the CPV.

Sept.1997 - June 2006  :  Member of the Politburo;  Deputy Secretary of the Government Party Organisation; Permanent Deputy Prime Minister; Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam and Secretary of the State Bank of Vietnam Party Organisation; Chairman of the National Financial and Monetary Council; Head of the tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) Steering Committee; Head of the Southwestern Region Steering Committee; Head of the Party Central Committee Steering Board for Reorganization of State-owned Enterprises; Head of the State Steering Committee for National Key Projects; Head of Party Central Committee Anti-Crime Steering Committee.

27 June 2006 :  Elected Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam at the Ninth Session of the 11th National Assembly of Vietnam.

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Sources:            
*    CIA World Fact Book (updated April 2007)
**   IMF World Economic Outlook (2006 estimates)
***  DTI Tradeline Philippines
**** Department of Tourism

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I. Highlights of Diplomatic Relations

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam were established on 12 July 1976, upon the signing of a Joint Communiqué by Philippine Foreign Minister Carlos P. Romulo and Vietnamese Vice Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Phan Hien.

The establishment of relations a year after the reunification of Vietnam was a diplomatic breakthrough for both sides.  It created the necessary climate of trust and confidence between the two countries as neighbors in the region.

For the Philippines, it represented an opportunity to implement its Government’s thrust towards correcting imbalances in its foreign policy vis-à-vis socialist states.  The Philippines also viewed the end of the protracted war in Indochina as an opportune time for countries in the region to finally devote their resources and give priority to the economic and social upliftment of their people.

For Vietnam, it was a chance to demonstrate to its Southeast Asian neighbors its sincerity to contribute constructively to regional peace and stability.

Bilateral relations between the two countries were guided by the following principles:

1. Respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence;

2. Not to allow any foreign country to use one’s territory as area base for direct or indirect aggression and intervention against the other country or other countries in the region;

3. Establishment of friendly and good neighborly relations, economic cooperation and cultural exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, settlement of disputes among the countries in the region through negotiations in a spirit of equality, mutual understanding and respect;

4. Development of cooperation among the countries in the region for the building of prosperous communities in keeping with each country’s specific conditions for the benefit of genuine independence, peace and neutrality in Southeast Asia, thereby contributing to peace in the world.

On 1 December 1976, the Vietnamese government opened its Embassy in Manila; a few months later, on 20 August 1977, the Philippine Government opened its Embassy in Hanoi. 

Since then, there have been a number of high-level visits between the two countries, including the State Visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Vietnam in 2002, and the State Visit of President Tran Duc Luong to the Philippines in 2001.

The two countries have also evolved several consultative mechanisms. On 28 March 1994, they signed an MOU establishing the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC). The JCBC has met on 3-5 February 1995, 18-22 January 1997, 26-28 February 2003 and, 5-7 November 2005.   The Philippines is scheduled to host the 5^th JCBC at a mutually agreed date in 2007.

The creation of the Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns (JPWG-MOC) was proposed by the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Center (MOAC) during the 3^rd Meeting of the JCBC. The JPWG-MOC covers mainly marine scientific research, marine environmental protection, safety and security of navigation, and fisheries cooperation and management. Its inaugural meeting was held in Manila from 10 to 12 February 2004, followed by the second meeting in Hanoi from 8 to 13 August 2005. The third meeting was hosted by the Philippines from 1 to 4 March 2006.

II. Bilateral Trade Relations

Bilateral Merchandise Trade 20022006 (Value in US$)

• Ranked as RP’s 16^th trading partner, with US$1.02 billion total trade registered in 2006. 
• Registered as the 16^th export and 15^th import market of the Philippines
• RP exports increased from US$102.7 million in 2002 to US$354.2 million in 2006, an average growth rate of 38.25% for the period under review
• RP’s major exports to Vietnam are cathodes and sections of cathodes and storage units, representing 80% of total exports to Vietnam.  Other substantial exports are wiring harness, mineral and chemical fertilizers, flat rolled products of alloy and steel and chewing gum.
• Major imports include semi- or wholly milled rice, printed circuits, parts and accessories of machines.
• During the period under review, the Philippines generally recorded a negative balance of trade with Vietnam, except in 2004, wherein it registered a trade surplus of US$240.13 million.

Investment

Several Philippine companies are successfully operating in Vietnam, including San Miguel Brewery, United Pharma, Liwayway Marketing Corporation, United Robina Corp., and Jollibee Foods Corp.

During the 4^th Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) from 5 to 7 November 2005, Vietnam welcomed the prospect of increased Philippine investment and agreed to create conditions favorable to this. The two sides also agreed to assist each other’s enterprises in exploring investment opportunities by providing them with information and advice on their respective priority areas and investment policies.

III. Filipinos in Vietnam

Majority of Filipinos in Vietnam occupy or hold high-level managerial and top executive positions in leading local and international companies, restaurants, hotels, food industry and special infrastructure projects.

As of December 2006, there were 995 Filipinos in Vietnam, classified according to the following categories:

a)     Professionals (accountants, engineers, entertainers, teachers, bookkeepers);

b)     Skilled workers;

c)      Unskilled workers; and

d)     Dependents/ Minors.

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A.  Documents to be signed:

1.  Philippines-Vietnam Plan of Action 2007-2010

The Philippines-Vietnam Pan of action 2007-2010 aims to realize the goals and strategies set out in the Framework of Bilateral Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Next Century and Beyond, which was signed in Hanoi on 6 November 2007 in order to deepen and invigorate the relations between the two countries.

The Plan of Action covers the following areas of cooperation:  political matters; security and defense; economic matters; maritime and ocean concerns; agriculture, fisheries and forestry; energy security; tourism; health; education, culture, science and technology; social welfare and development; and regional and international cooperation

2.  Protocol on Cultural Cooperation

The Cultural Agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam was signed in Hanoi on 28 March 1994.  The Agreement was ratified on 18 April 2007. The Protocol on Cultural Cooperation is intended to realize the aims of the Cultural Agreement through concrete initiatives in the field of culture and the arts, such as

• Hosting of each other’s delegations during their respective national arts festival;
• Exchanges of visits of artists, managers and experts in the field of culture and the arts;
• Exchange of information, publications and other materials; and
• Collaboration among filmmakers and distributors in cinema and television.

3.  Agreement on Trade Promotion

Highlights of the  MOA on Trade Promotion between DTI’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) :

·  Exchange of information on important economic and trade issues;

·  Exchange of trade missions;

·  Participation in each other’s trade fairs; and

·  Organization of training programs and exchange of experts.

B.  Other issues to be discussed:

1. Increase in two-way trade – total bilateral trade in 2006 amounted to US$1.027 billion.  RP’s exports to Vietnam are cathodes and storage units (representing 80% of exports to Vietnam).  RP’s imports from Vietnam are milled rice, printed circuits, parts and accessories of machines. 

RP products for promotion in Vietnam are consumer products (toiletries, contract furniture, interior designs and furnishings), processed food, services (IT, construction, engineering, English proficiency), and industrial manufactures (construction materials, electronics, metal fabricators, telecom equipment and farm products).

2.  Defense and security – ongoing negotiation of an MOA to serve as a framework for bilateral defense cooperation, and of an MOA between the Vietnamese People’s Navy and the Philippine Navy with the aim of enhancing communication and information exchange, and personnel exchanges.

3.  Energy security cooperation – RP is interested to learn from Vietnam’s experience in natural gas industry and to collaborate in the development of renewable energy resources.

4.  Joint Oceanographic and Marine Scientific Research Expedition in the South China Sea (JOMSRE-SCS) – an ongoing bilateral project aimed at increasing knowledge on the natural processes of the marine environment and resources in the South China Sea.  It is hoped that the findings of JOMSRE could be translated into practical benefits for  RP and Vietnam, such as through the proposed cooperation on oil spill response.

5.  Cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, health, tourism and education

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Philippines-Vietnam Plan of Action 2007-2010

The Philippines-Vietnam Plan of Action 2007-2010 aims to realize the goals and strategies set out in the Framework of Bilateral Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Next Quarter Century and Beyond signed in Hanoi on 6 November 2002 in order to deepen and invigorate the relations between the two countries. 

The Plan of Action covers the following areas of cooperation: political matters; security and defense; economic matters; maritime and ocean concerns; agriculture, fisheries and forestry; energy security; tourism; health; education, culture and science and technology; social welfare and development; and regional and international cooperation.

Protocol on Cultural Cooperation

The Cultural Agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam was signed in Hanoi on 28 March 1994, with immediate effect. The Agreement was ratified by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 18 April 2007.

The Protocol on Cultural Cooperation was conceived in order to realize the aims of the Cultural Agreement through concrete initiatives in the field of culture and the arts. The Protocol was negotiated by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture and Cooperation. Among the activities covered by the Protocol are the following:

-         Hosting of each other’s delegations during their respective national arts festivals;

-         Exchanges of visits between the two countries’ artists;

-         Exchange of information, publications and other materials in the field of culture and the arts;

-         Exchange of working visits by their respective managers and experts in the field of culture and the arts; and

-         Collaboration among filmmakers and distributors in cinema and television.

MOA on Trade Promotion

The MOA on Trade Promotion between the DTI’s Bureau of Export Trade Promotion (BETP) and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) came about as a result of discussions of trade and investment cooperation during the November 2002 visit of President Arroyo to Vietnam.

Following are the major highlights of the MOA:

·          Exchange of information – The two sides agree to share information on important economic and trade issues, including development in their respective economic and trade policies that might affect trade and business relations between the Philippines and Vietnam;

·          Exchange of missions – The two sides will encourage the exchange of trade missions and agree to support the business programs of visiting delegations or either party in terms of administrative and logistical arrangements and supply relevant market information to visiting trade missions, assist in business matching and facilitation introduction to representatives of relevant industry sectors;

·          Participation in trade fairs – The two sides agree to render support and assistance when either party holds exhibits/fairs in each home country through participation and dissemination of information to interested companies; and

·          Organization of training programs and exchange of experts – The two sides will cooperate in organizing training programs such as human resources development programs, seminars and workshops in connection with trade promotion activities and technologies, as well as the exchange of experts to investigate general market conditions and trade opportunities in each country.

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