At a press conference in Hanoi Thursday, VABED's president Tran Vinh Quang said that the association has provided free vocational training at three training centres in Hanoi, Ha Tinh and Ho Chi Minh City for more than 1,600 war invalids and the disabled. To date, 80 per cent of them have gained stable employment.

The association has also contributed to the amendment of numerous government policies regarding the disabled.

In April, the Prime Minister issued a decision on the State's assistance policy for businesses and enterprises run by people with disabilities.

Accordingly, their businesses will be granted a range of tax exemptions, including exemption from income tax and land and water surface use levies.

Any loans they have taken out at the social policy bank are eligible for a preferential interest rate.

Each year, the association holds exhibitions to showcase the range of products made by war invalids and the disabled, and organises job fairs so that they can seek gainful employment.

According to the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, there are now approximately 5.3 million people with disabilities in Vietnam, making up more than 6 per cent of the population. -- BERNAMA