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Meanwhile, China’s rice imports are expected to bounce back due to a sharp increase in domestic price and unfavourable weather. China’s rising demand will offer a good opportunity for Vietnam, particularly given that the two countries have established a hotline to facilitate the trade of agricultural products which was disrupted by COVID-19. … [Read more...] about BUSINESS NEWS JANUARY 19

Cyber incidents may have slipped to #3 globally, in Asia Pacific it ranks #1 for the second consecutive year. Elsewhere in the world, it still ranks as a top three risk in many countries, including Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Spain, UK and the US. The acceleration towards greater digitalization and remote working driven by the pandemic is also further intensifying IT vulnerabilities. At the peak of the first wave of lockdowns in April 2020, the FBI reported a 300% increase in incidents alone, while cyber crime is now estimated to cost the global economy over $1trn, up 50% from two years ago. Already high in frequency, ransomware incidents are becoming more damaging, increasingly targeting large companies with sophisticated attacks and hefty extortion demands, as highlighted in the recent AGCS cyber risk trends report.  … [Read more...] about Allianz Risk Barometer 2021: Covid-19 trio tops global and Asia Pacific business risks

Presidents Ho Chi Minh (L) and Mao Zedong toast the sustainability of the Vietnam-China friendship in August 1957 (File photo: VNA) In his remarks, Chairman of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association in HCM City Duong Quan Ha said the two countries are neighbours with a time-tested friendship. Their relations, nurtured by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong and generations of leaders, were lifted to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and have been flourishing, bringing about common benefits for their people. … [Read more...] about VIETNAM NEWS JANUARY 19

The government has launched one of the world's most ambitious vaccine programmes, aiming to innoculate 300 million of the 1.3 billion population by July. In the first two days of the drive, which started Saturday, the government said 224,000 of 300,000 planned vaccinations were carried out. In the capital New Delhi, only 53 percent of people came forward for jabs, according to a health official. "These are initial days and we understand people are waiting to see how the procedure pans out and how other vaccines fare," said Suneela Garg, a member of the coronavirus task force for the capital. "These numbers will go up as confidence is strengthened. And for that, we have to tackle misinformation." The Hindu newspaper reported that in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, the turnout was only 16 percent. At a community health centre in Rohtak district in the northern state of Haryana, only 29 out of 100 people expected showed up, a doctor there told AFP. "People are very scared. We … [Read more...] about Tens of thousands skip India’s vaccine drive launch

“These businesses were able to get ahead of big increases in demand, drive more sales and enhance customers’ experiences. Through our own work, we are seeing increased adoption of these models and expect it to accelerate in the near future.  … [Read more...] about More business leaders embrace digital technologies