Vietnam's economy surges

Socialist Vietnam's economy continued to surge ahead with a 6.9 percent 
GDP growth rate in the first six months of this year. Industrial production 
was up by 15.7 percent and state budget revenues increased by 9.5 percent. 
Agricultural production, whose growth is traditionally slower, increased by 
3.5 percent despite adverse weather conditions. Exports were up by 32.6 
percent.

A resolution adopted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of 
Vietnam, which leads the Vietnamese Government, said that the country's 
independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity has been 
preserved. The Party's leadership and the socialist system have boosted 
economic development and ensured political stability and social order in 
the country.

"We consider the maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment necessary 
for the socio-economic development and socialist-oriented industrialisation 
and modernisation. [This] is in the highest interests of the country.

"Vietnam is prepared to be a friend and a reliable partner of all countries 
in the international community, striving for peace, independence and 
development", said the Party statement.

The Party has decided that "Immediate attention should be paid to raising 
the salaries of low and middle-income earners and better implementing the 
principle of distribution according to labour and to the outcome of 
production to ensure that salaries become the principal source of incomes 
of officials, public servants and wage-earners".