Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved an investment project on Vietnam’s second telecommunications satellite (VINASAT-2), which is scheduled to be launched in 2012.

PM Dung authorized the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) as the chief investor in the project.

VINASAT-2 aims to increase Vietnam’s telecommunications infrastructure and maintain the country’s right to use its position of 131,80E in the satellite orbit.

VNPT is allowed to select bidders for consultancy packages related to purchasing the satellite, buying insurance, and providing launch services.

The Prime Minister also asked the Ministry of Information and Communications to consider the project carefully and make regular reports to the Prime Minister about any problems arising from its implementation process.