“Thanks to the effective pandemic response and guided by the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, we have emerged safer, stronger, and more resilient as a community,” he said at the event, held by the ASEAN Secretariat at its headquarters in Jakarta to mark ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary. ASEAN trade volumes have returned to pre-pandemic levels and the association’s economy is forecast to grow by 4.9% this year and 5.2% next year. “The entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) earlier this year demonstrates ASEAN’s pivotal role in contributing to regional peace and growth, bettering the life of our people, and providing opportunities for all.” According to the Secretary General, in spite of these achievements, ASEAN must remain vigilant against the ever present risks to its recovery, including disruptions to the supply of key commodities, rising costs in food and logistics, and the economic slowdown in … [Read more...] about 55th ASEAN Day Celebration solemnly held
Corozal sustainable future initiative csfi
Syngenta Vietnam joins HSBC’s green capital mobilisation
Syngenta specialises in providing agro-pharmaceutical products, plant protection solutions and seeds, and is trusted by millions of farmers. — Photo coutersy of Syngenta Syngenta Vietnam, a leading science-based agri-tech company, has just joined HSBC Vietnam's green journey by placing their very first green deposit with the bank. This transaction will enable Syngenta Vietnam’s surplus money to be invested in sustainable and green projects and businesses, in line with the company’s global sustainability development strategy. HSBC’s green deposit programme, the first of its kind in Viet Nam, is a channel to mobilise green funds from the bank’s corporate customers, investing them in environmentally friendly projects and initiatives, while ensuring a stable and predictable return. Green deposits are used for the green financing, which is aligned with the HSBC Green Bond Framework and Green Loan Principles, under eligible green project themes (Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, … [Read more...] about Syngenta Vietnam joins HSBC’s green capital mobilisation
Hanoi, HCM City boost tourism linkages with Central Key Economic Zone
Ly Son Island, a popular destination of Quang Ngai. Illustration. (Photo: tuoitre.vn) Quang Ngai (VNA) – Revenue from travel among Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City and the five Central Key Economic Zone city and provinces exceeded 63.07 trillion VND (over 2.69 billion USD), heard at a conference on August 8. The conference was held in the district of Tu Nghia, the south-central province of Quang Ngai, to review the two-year cooperation for tourism development among the two metropolises and the central localities of Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh. The review was expected to lay ground for the continued implementation of initiatives to boost intra-bloc partnership in tourism development post-pandemic. Reports showed that intra-bloc tourist arrivals totalled more than 17,68 million last year, given that the sector was badly hit by COVID-19. Vice Chairman of the Quang Ngai provincial People’s Committee Tran Hoang Tuan addresses the … [Read more...] about Hanoi, HCM City boost tourism linkages with Central Key Economic Zone
FM Bui Thanh Son’s remarks at ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son addresses the ceremony (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son made a speech at the ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony in Hanoi on August 8 on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the regional grouping. Following is the full text of his speech. Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the ASEAN Flag-Hoisting Ceremony today to mark the 55th founding anniversary of ASEAN. I am also happy to see all of you, healthy and safe after two years of COVID-19 outbreak. The ceremony this morning brings me back to the solemn moment as the ASEAN Flag was hoisted high amidst the stirring ASEAN Anthem at the very successful 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh last week. Standing before the ASEAN Flag, we are truly proud of what we all have achieved in pursuing the aspirations of nearly 700 million Southeast Asian people for an ASEAN Community of peace, solidarity, resilience and … [Read more...] about FM Bui Thanh Son’s remarks at ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony
Asia stocks wobble as focus turns to U.S. inflation data, Fed outlook
HONG KONG -- Asian shares were down on Tuesday as financial markets fretted about persistent global cost pressures, with investors turning their focus this week to U.S. inflation data and the prospects for further aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes. The unexpectedly strong U.S. jobs data on Friday have raised the stakes for the July U.S. consumer prices report due on Wednesday, especially for the Fed's policy outlook. "U.S. stocks were struggling to hold on to gains, as the focus moves from a robust U.S. labour market to the U.S. CPI data out later this week," ANZ analysts said in a note. "The priority of reducing inflation to underpin the expansion in domestic demand and sustainable jobs growth will ring loud and clear from the 25-27 August Jackson Hole symposium." Early in the Asian trading day, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.2%. The index is up 0.5% so far this month. U.S. stock futures rose 0.07%. Japan's Nikkei slid 0.81% while … [Read more...] about Asia stocks wobble as focus turns to U.S. inflation data, Fed outlook
Thousands of resettlement apartments abandoned in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
Thousands of apartments and land lots for the resettlement of residents in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been left deserted for years, causing huge waste. While many laborers are in dire need of accommodations, solutions to these abandoned resettlement apartments and the resettlement in the future to prevent similar cases are needed. Abandonment and untidiness According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, the capital city is now home to nearly 18,000 resettlement apartments. Most of them have been sold and allocated for projects. Only over 400 units remain unused. However, in reality, thousands of these apartments are presently empty. Some projects with hundreds of apartments each are complete but their wastewater treatment and fire prevention and control systems have yet to be approved. Most of these projects are now degrading and facing a shortage of facilities, such as playgrounds for children, sport facilities, and parks. More than 3,700 … [Read more...] about Thousands of resettlement apartments abandoned in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City