illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hau Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang has introduced investment opportunities in agriculture and renewable energy to firms from the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Jeollanam province. At a working session on August 22 with a delegation from the Jeollanam Business Association, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tuan said his locality is calling for investment in agricultural production, farm produce processing and clean energies such as solar and wind power. Hau Giang will create the optimal conditions for RoK firms, particularly those from Jeollanam, to invest in the province. However, he also noted that investors must observe regulations on environmental protection. Oh Jang Seon, President of the Jeollanam Business Association, said Korean enterprises are interested … [Read more...]

Since the start of this year, the USD/VND exchange rate remained relatively stable, hovering around VND22,700 to the dollar. However, this period of calm is likely to end soon, as Vietnam enters its busy end-of-the-year business season. Economic expert Nguyen Tri Hieu said that Vietnamese businesses may require more foreign exchange notes to import materials and pay their overseas partners. Moreover, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) may announce further rate hikes at the end of this year, which usually pushes up the USD on the global market. “Foreign exchange has been steady since the start of 2017 thanks to the ongoing inflows of foreign investment, mild inflation, and strong liquidity at banks. However, the Vietnamese currency may depreciate by 2% at the year’s end due to seasonal reasons,” he said. Since May, the USD Index has lost 4.51%, standing at … [Read more...]

A Cargill school. Cargill Cares intends to build its 82nd school in Dak Nong Province next month. – VNS Photo Cargill Cares fund raising events in Viet Nam this month raised VND7 billion (US$307,000) from individuals and organisations to advance Cargill’s school building programme in the country. Held in Dong Nai and Ha Noi on August 12 and 20 respectively, the events attracted almost 4,000 customers, partners and employees. Since it was started in 1996, the programme has built 81 schools in Viet Nam’s 46 provinces. Cargill is on track to build its 82nd school in Dak Nong Province next month and 100th by 2020. The programme benefits 13,000 students a year. A typical school costs around $50,000 and consists of three to five classrooms, restrooms, a yard, a fence, and a gate. Organised by the Cargill Cares Council, which is completely employee-led, the programme aims … [Read more...]

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has announced that it already granted certificates to 28 agricultural businesses applying high technologies.  Of them, nine firms specialise in growing vegetables and flowers, while 8 others breed animals and 11operate in aquaculture. The MARD is devising a draft decision amending and supplementing Decision No. 69/2010/QD-TTg regulating jurisdiction and procedures of recognising high-tech agricultural firms. Accordingly, the provincial People’s Committees will be authorised to grant certificates to eligible enterprises. Apart from Hau Giang and Phu Yen high-tech agricultural areas already approved by the Prime Minister, the provinces of Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Lam Dong and Quang Ninh have built schemes to establish high-tech agricultural … [Read more...]

The problem has been compounded by the erosion of fertile soil and the salinization of the Mekong Delta brought about by climate change the speakers told the audience. And should the current trends remain constant, the arable land in Vietnam could decrease by as much as 3.2% by the end of the century, resulting in a decrease of 7.2 tons of rice per annum. Rising sea levels due to climate change have led to more saltwater entering and flowing upstream in the Mekong Delta causing increased flooding that erodes the river banks and results in intensified salinization of farmland making it unsuitable for rice farming. On a positive note, high-tech and climate-smart agriculture can mitigate this trend by formulating new farming techniques and better products more suitable for the changing environmental conditions, the speakers noted. High-tech farming utilizes technology … [Read more...]

Green development projects in Vietnam are catching attention of foreign investors. (Photo: sggp.org.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Green development projects in Vietnam are catching attention of foreign investors on account of the Government’s favourable policies on land, taxes and capital as well as a large number of potential customers in the country, said Duong Thanh An, Head of the Policy and Legal Affairs Department under the Vietnam Environment Administration. A survey on Japanese investment trend in Vietnam in 2017 held by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Vietnam revealed that at least 25 Japanese businesses have the intention to invest in improving environment quality in Vietnam, such as in waste water treatment for plants and urban areas. Other businesses said they will design warning software for storms, flash floods and tsunami. The Japanese … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Trade between Vietnam and Egypt could develop strongly from the current annual level of US$400 million if the two sides make good use of cooperation opportunities. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made commented on this while meeting with Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr and Admiral Mohab Mamish, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority and head of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, in Hanoi on August 22. He further stated that Vietnam readies to export its products to Egyptian supermarket chains and sell made-in-Egypt commodities in Vietnam. Shar Nasr said Egypt boasts great potential in shipbuilding and seaport use, which Vietnamese businesses could explore investment opportunities. She commented that a business forum will be held during the upcoming visit by the Egyptian President to promote bilateral cooperation. For his part, Mohab Mamish stated that a large volume of global cargo goes … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Disaster recovery in APEC economies is as important as disaster preparation and response, the co-chair of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG), Le Quang Tuan, said yesterday. Delegates from 21 APEC-member economies and non-APEC organisations met at the 12th meeting of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) on Monday (August 21) in HCM City. – VNS Photo During the 12th meeting of the working group, more than 100 delegates from 21 APEC-member economies and non-APEC organisations exchanged information about coping with natural disasters. The meeting was held in HCM City within the framework of the third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 3). Though Viet Nam has experience in coping with natural disasters, it lacks experience in providing support to affected areas after disasters, according to … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi People’s Court yesterday opened legal proceedings against a criminal case regarding an illegal virtual gold trading floor. The case involves top managers of the Ha Noi-based Khai Thai Consultant Limited Company (KTIC). Hsu Ming Jung at the court hearing. – Photo: VNA/VNS  KTIC General Director Hsu Ming Jung (also called Saga) from Taiwan and his six Vietnamese accomplices will be tried on charges of swindling VND264 billion (US$11.7 million) from more than 700 investors. Hsu Ming Jung, 42; Doan Thi Luyen, 30, managing director of the company; Nguyen Manh Linh, 30, a director of the company; and Trinh Hoang Binh, 42, the company’s chief accountant, will be charged with fraud pursuant to Article 139 of the Penal Code. Two other Vietnamese people, the managing directors of the company’s … [Read more...]

Delegates discuss on the reform of the investment climate in APEC member economies at the Investment Experts’ Group (IEG) meeting held in HCM City on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Phuong Hoa Promoting trade and investment and reforming the investment climate in APEC member economies were discussed at the Investment Experts’ Group (IEG) meeting held in HCM City on Monday as part of the ongoing third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and related meetings. The two-day meeting held under the aegis of the Committee of Trade and Investment saw officials from 21 APEC members and experts from international organizations take part. “One of the big topics is of course the examination of the next generation’s trade investment issues, which is something that APEC members identify as the issue for the future, and we are going to look at them from the investment perspective,” IEG convener Maxim Berdichevsky, … [Read more...]

This latest eighth A350 has just made its first commercial flight from Ha Noi to HCM City on August 21. Since taking over the first Airbus A350-900 in July 2015, after two years, Vietnam Airlines has eight aircrafts now, operating more than 8,000 flights and transporting over 2.2 million passengers. The A350 uses the Rolls Royce’s Trent XWB engine. It is one of the largest, most efficient and most fuel efficient civil aviation engines in the world today (25 per cent). With the under-belts illumination system, the A350-900 also has an optimal lightning protection system that ensures safety during the … [Read more...]

Under the document, the Prime Minister required the governor to “continue focusing on doing research and implementing appropriate solutions to mobilise sources of foreign currency and gold among the people to serve development and investment”. At a meeting with the Prime Minister’s working group led by Minister – Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung last month, the request to mobilise sources of foreign currency and gold was also stressed upon. At the meeting, Governor Le Minh Hung also expressed his views on the mobilisation of foreign currency and gold from the people by means of stimulating transformation in the past few years. The governor said overall macro-economic solutions of the past years were very successful, thanks to which foreign currency resources were transformed into Vietnamese dong. In 2016, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) bought nearly US$10 billion to increase its foreign exchange reserve, a large amount of which … [Read more...]

The case involves top managers of the Hanoi-based Khai Thai Consultant Limited Company (KTIC). KTIC General Director Hsu Ming Jung (also called Saga) from Taiwan and his six Vietnamese accomplices have been tried on charges of swindling VND264 billion (US$11.7 million) from more than 700 investors. Hsu Ming Jung, 42; Doan Thi Luyen, 30, managing director of the company; Nguyen Manh Linh, 30, director of the company; and Trinh Hoang Binh, 42, the company’s chief accountant, have been charged with fraud pursuant to Article 139 of the Penal Code. Two other Vietnamese people, the managing directors of the company’s branches at the Plaschem Building in Hanoi, Dinh Thi Hong Vinh, and at the Lotte Building in Hanoi, Tang Hai Nam, have been also charged with the same offence. They were arrested in … [Read more...]

People are testing the limits of the Earth and its resources, and to achieve a good life for everyone on the planet, they will have to share things like food, water and energy in a more equal and sustainable way, scientists said on Monday. Nearly 1,000 researchers have gathered in Stockholm this week to work out ways to halt deforestation, protect coral reefs, avoid the collapse of fish stocks, make food healthier, and build cities that can cope with climate change. The Resilience 2017 conference aims to chart a path through today's turbulent times, by bolstering "resilience" - which means becoming more adept at living with pressures like a financial crisis or a flood, and using that ability to transform societies and economies for the better. "If we are serious about our human wellbeing - from local communities to the global world economy - we need to now reconnect our entire world to the planet," said Johan Rockström, director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre … [Read more...]

Illustrative photo (Photo: nld.com.vn)     Hanoi (VNA) - The Government Office last week sent a written document to the central bank governor, referring to the mobilisation of idle gold and foreign currency sources from the people. Under the document, the Prime Minister required the governor to “continue focusing on doing research and implementing appropriate solutions to mobilise sources of foreign currency and gold among the people to serve development and investment”. At a meeting with the Prime Minister’s working group led by Minister – Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung last month, the request to mobilise sources of foreign currency and gold was also stressed upon. At the meeting, Governor Le Minh Hung also expressed his views on the mobilisation of foreign currency and gold from the people by means of … [Read more...]

Representatives of Quang Binh Province and McKinsey & Company sign a consultancy contract for the province’s socio-economic development master plan until 2030 with vision till 2050. — Photo baodautu.vn Quang Binh Province signed a consultancy contract with the McKinsey & Company Viet Nam for developing its socio-economic development master plan by 2030 with vision to 2050 on Monday. The provincial People’s Committee has assigned its Department of Planning and Investment to be the investor for the VND35.68 billion (US$1.6 million) consultancy package. The duration of the package lasts from the date the contract is signed until the master plan is approved by the Prime Minister. The planning stage of the package is 70 working days from the contract signing day. Chairmain of the committee Nguyen Huu Hoai said this master plan was very significant for achieving the … [Read more...]

At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)    Can Tho (VNA) - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on August 21 signed a letter of intent to enhance bilateral cooperation in agricultural research.   The letter was signed by Le Quoc Doanh, MARD deputy minister, and Peter Horne, ACIAR’s general manager for country programmes, on the sidelines of the APEC Food Security Week now underway in the Mekong city of Can Tho.   Speaking at the signing ceremony, Doanh said that many joint projects between ACIAR and Vietnam had added value to Vietnamese agricultural products, and had enhanced Vietnam’s agribusiness sector and capacity of scientists and researchers. "The signing of the letter of intent today is the result of great bilateral cooperation, with joint efforts from researchers and policymakers on both … [Read more...]

At the exhibition (Photo: VNA)   Can Tho (VNA) - Six APEC member economies are displaying agricultural products and advanced agri-production technologies required to address food security and sustainably develop agriculture at an exhibition that opened in Can Tho city on August 21.  Besides Vietnam, the other economies joining the exhibition are Japan, Australia, the US, China and Taiwan. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh said the exhibition showcases technologies for sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, adapt to climate change and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. [APEC 2017: workshop talks sustainable food system] It also focuses on the relationship between food security and climate change, sustainable natural resources management, sustainable rural–urban development, facilitation of … [Read more...]

The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance redoubled efforts to draw ties closer with Japan, aiming to ramp up cooperation on the intergovernmental and private investment levels at the same time. To this end did the two sides hold a meeting of the two nations’ ministries of Finance and an investment promotion conference for Japanese enterprises. Corporate big guns join Japan investment promotion delegation Can Tho, Japan seek cooperation opportunities in agriculture Japanese firms eye Vietnamese market The Vietnamese Ministry of Finance's delegation hard at work in Japan On August 21, at the meeting with Soichiro Imaeda, Japanese Deputy Minister of Finance cum Japanese Secretary of State, Minister … [Read more...]

Hà Nội police plan to increase inspections to uncover human trafficking rings, focusing on inter-provincial and transnational criminals. Hà Nội police plan to increase inspections to uncover human trafficking rings, focusing on inter-provincial and transnational criminals. - Photo infonet.vn This is among measures to be taken by Hà Nội police as part of a plan on human trafficking prevention during 2017-20. Police will also accelerate investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases, aiming to increase the number of cases being prosecuted by at least two per cent each year. Police will work with ministries and agencies to fight human trafficking, with a focus on human trafficking in all forms, including foreigners or overseas Vietnamese pretending to be businessmen or … [Read more...]