Prime Minister (PM) Nguyen Tan Dung struck the gong symbolizing the opening of the first trading session of the Year of the Goat at the Hanoi Stock Exchange on February 24^th, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.

In his speech, the PM hailed the securities market as a key component of raising capital for socio-economic development.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung struck the gong symbolizing the opening of the year's first trading session. (Photo: VNA)

He urged the Finance Minister, Chairman of the State Securities Commission, ministries and agencies to bring laws up to international standards and bring about a transparent and healthy business climate, as Vietnam steps up its negotiations and signing of various free trade agreements.

The leader asked that the project on restructuring securities market be effectively realised and for an accelerated pace of State-owned enterprise equitisation.

He closed by wishing the securities sector a year of sustainable and effective growth./.

VNF/VNA