PANO – General Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of National Defence, on February 25th chaired a conference to work out tasks for military-run companies for 2014.
Last year, though over 60,700 companies nationwide went bankrupt due to economic recession, defence firms fulfilled their production schedules and ensured stable incomes for employees, making contribution to the nation’s economic growth.
Particularly, they achieved a turnover of VND 247.4 trillion and profit of VND 39.8 trillion, contributed nearly VND 18.6 trillion to the State budget, and provided average incomes of VND 8.3 million a month, increasing 10, 28.3, 11.5 and 9.2 per cent against 2012, respectively.
The military-run telecom group Viettel continues the lead with a turnover of VND 163 trillion, about 15 per cent higher than the same period last year, and profit of VND 36 trillion, while contributing VND 18 trillion to the State budget.
Meanwhile, the Saigon Newport Group is one of Vietnam’s leading ports, making up 65.54 per cent of Ho Chi Minh City’s market and 42.87 per cent of the nation’s. Of which, its Cat Lai Port ranks 34th on cargo entrepôt in the world.
In spite of difficulties in 2013, the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation, Lung Lo Construction Group, ACC Aviation Construction Company, Housing and Urban Development Corporation, Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB), and Corporations 36 and 319 achieved their set targets and became prestigious brand names in their sectors.
General Phung Quang Thanh highly valued the efforts of cadres, soldiers and employees in defence businesses over the past time, as many of them had received noble orders and merit certificates from the Party, State and local authorities in recognition of their achievements. Notably, the Viettel and Lung Lo Corporations were conferred the Hero of the People’s Armed Forces and Labour Hero titles, respectively.
Besides, military companies are increasingly improving their reputation and proving their positions and the image of “Uncle Ho's soldiers” on the international arena, the general added.
The Minister of National Defence stressed that 2014 is still a difficult year for businesses, so defence firms should always put the benefits of the nation and the army in the front, seriously implement the State laws and military regulations, increase productivity, promote human resource quality, build suitable production strategies, and well develop socio-economy in combination with national defence and security.
In addition, he asked relevant units to work with defence businesses to check the ministry’s regulations on their operation to match with the State’s, helping them bring into play self-control in operating business, and improve competitive and financial ability.
Translated by Pham Huy