Hanoi mulling single window for compensation for Taiwanese firms

Taipei, May 24 (CNA) The Vietnamese government is considering setting up a single window to handle compensation claims from Taiwanese companies that suffered losses during anti-Chinese riots in the Southeast Asian country last week, Taiwan's vice economics minister said Saturday upon his return from Vietnam.

Shen Jong-chin led a delegation to Vietnam earlier this week to assess the damage sustained by Taiwanese businesses there, during which he met with Vietnam's Planning and Investment Minister Bui Quang Vinh.

According Shen, the compensation issue was raised during that meeting.

In addition to urging Hanoi to set up a single window on the matter, Taipei also proposed forming a bilateral negotiation commission and a joint mediation commission, as well as Vietnam providing tax deductions and waivers for Taiwanese companies there, Shen said.

Bui, in response, promised to report Taiwan's proposals to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, he said.

A total of 224 Taiwanese companies have reported damage during the riots, with 18 factories set on fire, five of which were completely destroyed, according to statistics compiled by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The operations of about 1,100 Taiwanese enterprises were also suspended, the ministry said.

(By Yang Shu-min and Y.F. Low)ENDITEM/J

Video report:Vietnam-based Taiwanese people recount "terror"

Related stories:●May 23: Taiwan official proposes joint commissions to help firms in Vietnam●May 21: Taiwan, Vietnam discussing losses incurred during rioting

(Click here for developments related to the anti-China protest-turned-riot in Vietnam.)