GENEVA: Top seed and defending champion Stan Wawrinka reached the Geneva claycourt final on Friday where he'll face German outsider Mischa Zverev who stunned Japan's Kei Nishikori 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Wawrinka, 32, eased into the final by seeing off Russian world number 85 Andrey Kuznetsov 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Nishikori, fighting for fitness and form after a wrist injury forced him out of the Rome Masters last week, looked jaded against Zverev having needed to save three match points in the previous round against Kevin Anderson. Qualifier Zverev, the older brother of Alexander Zverev who stunned Novak Djokovic in the Rome Masters final, who will attempt to capture his maiden tour title in what will be his first final appearance in seven years. Wawrinka is seeking his first title of the year in what would be a major boost ahead of the French Open which starts on Sunday. Source AFP … [Read more...]

TAORMINA: G7 leaders on Friday found common cause on combating terrorism after the bloodshed in Manchester but failed to bridge a gulf between Donald Trump and US partners on trade and climate change. On the opening day of a two-day summit, the leaders endorsed a British call urging internet service providers and social media companies to crack down on the dissemination of militant content online, after 22 people were killed in the concert bombing in northwest England this week. But US partners hit deadlock in their attempt to persuade Trump to keep the world's biggest economy inside the framework of the 2015 Paris Agreement on curbing carbon emissions to reduce global warming. Tensions over trade also flared. Unusually for such a set-piece event, leaders made no effort to hide their divisions in Sicily's ancient hilltop resort of Taormina. The choice of venue overlooking the Mediterranean reflected the Italian hosts' desire for the summit to showcase cooperation against deadly flows … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese auto manufacturers are trying to increase the localization ratios in their products in order to enjoy preferential tariffs when exporting their cars to ASEAN countries. However, in order to be able to enjoy the zero percent tariff, Vietnam’s products must have the minimum localization ratio of 40 percent. Truong Hai Automobile has kicked off a $500 million project on manufacturing and assembling 100,000 Mazdas a year in Chu Lai Industrial Zone in Quang Nam province with technology transfer from Mazda. It is expected that in the first phase of the project, 50,000 cars a year, will be churned out. Tran Ba Duong, president of Truong Hai, said the localization ratio of Truong Hai products would increase to 40 percent from 18 percent and would be exported to Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines. Vietnamese auto manufacturers are trying to increase the localization ratios in their products in order to enjoy preferential tariffs when exporting … [Read more...]

A 46-year-old woman, who has lost her two legs in a traffic accident 21 years ago, has dedicated her strength, youth, and extraordinary power to the blind over the past many years. She has been the first to establish an audiolibrary for the blind in Vietnam. She is Nguyen Huong Duong, director of the Audio Books for the Blind and the Ho Chi Minh city based Audio Books for the Blind Charity Fund, one of the 30 individuals and groups honored at the “Vietnam Glory – Imprints of the 30-year Doi Moi” ceremony, which took place on May 20. Life without legs does not seem an obstacle for Nguyen Huong Duong. But she always shows her optimism and life aspirations. She looks younger than her age with smiles frequently on her lips, and she has such an emotional voice that no one could think she has ever undergone bad luck and unhappiness. Remembering her difficult times after the accident, Duong told her story: "I used to be a tourist guide. When the accident deprived me of … [Read more...]

Mr. Pascal Lamy, formerly the Director General of the WTO, tells VET that Vietnam is the greatest beneficiary of globalization and needs to take advantage of human resources in the years to come to stay abreast of the fourth industrial revolution. How would you evaluate Vietnam’s international economic integration process since it joined the WTO? Vietnam is the greatest beneficiary of globalization and has been a successful example of integration during its ten years in the WTO. It is already taking advantage of its human resources and benefiting from its comparative advantages in areas where human resources play an important role. Vietnam’s accession into the WTO has been a success and has helped it grow very well compared to countries with high growth rates. In the global economy, we see economic growth in developed countries not being as high as in emerging countries. For example, the US and Japan have growth rates of only 2-3 per cent, and Europe is even lower. I … [Read more...]

US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on May 25th met with each other for their first time since the two took office. The two met at the US Embassy in Brussels (Belgium) on the sidelines of a NATO Summit. Trump says Macron had an "incredible victory, all over the world they're talking about it." He added that the two have a lot to discuss, including terrorism. President Trump welcomed Macron to the US embassy in Brussels, stating: “We have a lot to discuss, including terrorism and other things. Congratulations. Great job.” Macron said: “I’m also very happy to be with President Trump”. “We have an extremely large agenda to discuss: the fight against terrorism, the economy, climate and energy.” France was one of the key states which dropped its opposition to NATO formally joining the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State, one of Mr Trump's key demands./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...]

Dozens of photos depicting nature and the people of Belarus, and more than 21 paintings by Belarusian painter Vasily Yasyuk, are on display at an exhibition on Belarus and painting show which opened in Hanoi on May 25th. The events are part of the 2017 Belarus Culture Days in Vietnam, held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam, the Ministry of Culture of Belarus, and the Embassy of Belarus in Vietnam, to mark the 25th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties. The photos will give insight into Belarus’s 1,000-year history, its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and hospitable people through images of antique objects, maps and documents. The show displays 21 oil paintings of Vasily Yasyuk using the “alla prima” technique, in which layers of wet paint are applied to previously administered layers of wet paint. Yasyuk is a member of the Belarusian Union of Artists and a professor of fine arts at the Belarusian State Academy of Arts. He has won … [Read more...]

Mr. Lenin Moreno has been sworn in as the 44th President of Ecuador. In his inaugural speech, he promised more subsidies for the poor and a major social housing construction program which would create millions of jobs. Moreno assumed the presidency during a ceremony in Ecuador's congress before some 12 heads of state from around Latin America. Lenin Moreno, candidate of Country Alliance left-wing, won the second round of the presidential election held on April 2nd. He won 51.05% of votes, while his rival Guillermo Lasso, candidate of centre-right CREO, ex-banker won 48.95%. "I am a president for all. I owe this to everyone. I respect everyone," President Moreno said. "I will work for absolutely no-one to be left behind."/. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...]

In realization of Decision 22/2013/QD-TTg on giving housing support to revolutionary contributors’ families, as of May 15th, the support was completed for nearly 117,000 families, the Ministry of Construction reported. Reports from 63 provinces and cities show that through the support, 61,080 families have newly-built houses and the rest have repaired ones. Meanwhile, an additional 2,334 houses are being built and 4,453 others are being repaired for revolutionary contributors. In particular, the decision has helped encourage society, businesses and communities to care for the lives of revolutionary contributors. According to the Ministry of Construction, the policy will continue to be carried out, striving to give support to 299,920 revolutionary contributors’ families in 2017 and 2018./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...]

Eight hospitals in the central province of Quang Nam will be assisted with medical equipment worth USD50,000 to support healthcare provision for child patients. The assistance aims to contribute to remarkably reducing child deaths in the localities. This is part of a program by VinaCapital, sponsored by the ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Vietnam Limited Company. Since 2011, ExxonMobil has assisted two programs by VinaCapital with USD500,000, benefiting over 1 million children in Da Nang city, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...]

Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutefilika on May 24th appointed Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 72, as the new Prime Minister, a statement from the Algerian presidency said. The decision came after former Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal submitted his resignation to the Algerian President following the session of the new national assembly on Tuesday, May 23rd. Tebboune's appointment comes 24 hours after the election of National Assembly President Said Bouhadja, who is a member of the President's party. The new Prime Minister previously served as Deputy Minister of the Interior and Local Assemblies, in charge of Local Assemblies (1991-1992), Minister of Communication and Culture (1999), Minister of Local Assemblies (2000-2001) and Minister of Housing and Urban Planning (2001-2002). In 2012, he returned to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning, which was extended to the city since 2013./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...]

Total newly-registered and increased capital, and capital contributions and share purchase, reached USD12.13 billion in the first five months of the year, a year-on-year rise of 10.4%, reported the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency. Of this, 939 newly-licensed projects registered capital worth USD5.59 billion, 73.9% of the same period last year. In addition, 437 projects adjusted their investment with an increased capital of USD4.74 billion, up 83% over a year earlier, and capital contribution and share purchase were valued at USD1.79 billion, a year-on-year rise of 116.2%. Notably, disbursement of capital saw a 6% rise over the same period last year, at USD6.15 billion. The Foreign Investment Agency reported processing and manufacturing industry continued to lure the most FDI capital with USD8.09 billion, 66.7% of the country’s total, followed by mining and wholesale and retail. The three biggest FDI investors in the country during the … [Read more...]

(CPV) - The 13th international exhibition on automobile, motorcycle, electric bike and supporting industries (Saigon Autotech and Accessories 2017) on May 25th opened at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, in Ho Chi Minh city. The exhibition, attended by more than 300 domestic and foreign enterprises with 500 kiosks, is organized by Asia Trade Fair and Business Promotion Jsc (ATFA) under the sponsorship of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and other related agencies. Together with displaying automobile, motorbike, electric bike, components, new-tech engine and vehicles; Saigon Autotech and Accessories 2017 also exhibits lubricant, rubber, banking products and smart parking solutions to enhance product diversification from the US, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and China. Having been organizing for over 10 years, witnessing ups and downs of Vietnamese automobile and supporting industries, this year's event is expected to increase trade opportunities, … [Read more...]

Vietnam now sees 15 processors exporting tuna products to more than 138 countries and territories worldwide, with an exploited volume of nearly 92,200 tons a year, reported the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development. The biggest export market of Vietnamese tuna is the US, followed by the EU, Thailand, Israel, Japan, China, Canada and Mexico. Tuna processors and exporters are mainly in localities in the South Central coast region, especially Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa, famous for abundant, including whole fresh tuna, whole frozen tuna, frozen processed products and canned tuna, with annual export turnover of USD510 million. The above-mentioned provinces now have 2,372 ocean tuna fishing vessels; mainly exploiting yellow-fin tuna, big-eye tuna and skipjack tuna with a total output of 92,000 tons in 2016. Aiming to improve the quality of export tune, the ministry warned localities to actively invest in infrastructure of fishing ports and markets; shaping a closed chain … [Read more...]

The highlight of the Southern Fruit Festival 2017 (from June 1st to August 30th), is a floating fruit market where many boats sell more than 150 kinds of fruit at prices 20-30% cheaper than the market rates. The Ho Chi Minh city Department of Tourism on May 25th coordinated with the Department of Agricultural and Rural Development, Department of Industry and Trade and Suoi Tien Culture and Tourism Joint Stock Company to organize a press conference on the festival. The floating market will last through the three summer months and attract 50 kiosks from more than 20 localities nationwide. It is expected to greet more than 1.2 million visitors and sell over 1,200 tons of fruits of all kinds. Mr. La Quoc Khanh, Deputy Head of the city Department of Tourism, and head of the organizers, said that the annual festival aims to honour the achievements of farmers; contributing to introducing the abundance of fruits grown along southern waterways, as well as promoting tourist attractions of the … [Read more...]

Many enterprises suggested that the Ho Chi Minh city tourism sector should diversify products to attract more tourists. Ms. Truong Thi Anh, Deputy Head of the city People’s Council, and a delegation on May 25th surveyed and worked with some companies in the city to speed up tourism development. According to Mr. Pham Xuan Ngoc, Sales Director of Phu Tho Tourism Service Joint Stock Company, tourist arrivals to Dam Sen Culture Park have been decreasing over time. In this circumstance, the park organized more events rich in national cultural identity like cuisine festivals and cultural festivals. A representative from Saigontourist said that the city's tourism is facing challenges and strong competition. In previous years, foreign tourist arrivals made up more than 60% of those to Vietnam, with revenue accounting for over 45% of the country. However, foreign tourists density and tourism revenue dropped compared to the previous years, and are forecast to decline in the near future. … [Read more...]

The event, jointly held by the Non-Government Organisation-Information Centre (NGO-IC) and the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD), drew the participation of over 50 representatives from the NGO-IC, SRD, domestic networks and the Vietnam Association of Corporate Directors (VACD). According to chairman of the NGO-IC management council Associate Prof. Dr. Ho Uy Liem, the conference was an opportunity for social organisations to share experience and solutions for sustainable development of social organisations and networks in partcicular. Challenges in networks’ operations were also touched on at the conference, including the loose coordination between social organisations, poor professional capacity and shortage of funds. Participants wanted state management agencies to complete mechanisms and policies as well as promote cooperation between state organisations and NGOs to bolster the development of networks. They should pay due attention to creating fair competition and … [Read more...]

Recently produced films, including “Royal Affair”, “The Hunt” and “A Hijacking” are screened during the week. Many of them won awards or were nominated at international film festivals, including Oscar Academy Awards and Cannes Film Festival. Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Charlotte Laursen said the event aims to introduce Denmark’s filming industry with internationally-acclaimed producers, actors and actresses as well as its society to Vietnamese viewers. She expressed her belief that the film week will be one of cultural programmes that help enhance the partnership and mutual understanding between the two nations. According to the diplomat, the Danish Embassy has funded a cultural support programme to the tune of over 3 million USD in order to promote cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Denmark. Since 2006, hundreds of cultural projects and artists have benefited from the programme. VNA/VNP … [Read more...]

At the event, Nguyen Minh Ky, head of the Vietnam E-commerce and Information Technology Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, introduced trends of online trade related to new business models, online search, and clients from social network, among others. He said digital marketing is challenging traditional methods, while posing legal issues to businesses in terms of patent dispute, tax and cyber crimes. At the forum, experts said many enterprises have yet to realise the importance of e-trade applications to their sales. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s statistics, Vietnam has 52 million internet users and 35 million users of smartphones. Of both groups, 48 percent look for product information online, while 27 percent use their phones to place purchase orders. In 2015, e-commerce generated 4.08 billion USD in turnover with an average annual growth of between 25 and 30 percent. Participating firms said they hope e-commerce will help them expand the … [Read more...]

This year’s event promises a whole new flavour with top chefs competing for culinary supremacy while visitors will also be able to surprise their taste buds exploring some 40-exciting new Asian, European, Middle Eastern and other international flavours. The 2-day event will take place at the Bat Giac (Octagonal) Building next to King Ly Thai To Statue at Hoan Kiem Lake. … [Read more...]