Mr Nguyen Tan Dung Prime Minister of Vietnam has awarded the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group with a Golden Star Order, the highest decoration of Viet Nam in Ha Noi, for their contributions to the nation's development over the past 50 years.

Mr Dung, also chairman of the Central Council for Emulation and Awards, praised the group as one of the best contributors to helping Viet Nam overcome the recent financial crisis.

He said that together with the nation's Patriotic Emulation Movement, the group had contributed significantly to the development of the oil and gas industry, as well as to the development of Viet Nam on the whole. Especially, during the nation's renovation process, its staff had gathered together to help in exploring, exploiting, processing, transporting, preserving and exporting their products.

Mr Dung said that "The State, Party and people have acknowledged the continuous and tireless contributions of the group in the past 50 years."

PetroVietnam is one of the leading economic groups in Viet Nam, with a total turnover of USD 110 billion, accounting for 15% of the export turnover of the country, 28% to 30% of the State Budget and 18% to 20% of the national GDP.

Mr Dung hoped that PetroVietnam would take full advantage of the capital to renovate its infrastructure and human resources, especially its high quality workers, as they were the key to sustainable development. He also asked the group to build a stronger party organization and to fight corruption at all levels. With these things in mind, they could boost the living standards of their workers and use the country's resources effectively and sustainably.

(Sourced from www.vietnamnews.vnanet.vn)