A tea field in the midland province of Thai Nguyen. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) — Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has just signed Resolution 96/NQ-CP on the Government's action plan for socio-economic development and ensuring national defence and security in the northern midland and mountainous regions by 2030. Under the action plan, the Government set specific targets for socio-economic development for the regions. The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth in the period of 2021-2030 will reach 8-9% per year, and by 2030, the economic scale of the region will reach about 21 trillion VND (90.5 billion USD), of which agriculture, forestry and fishery will account for 12-13%, industry and construction 45-46%, and services 37-38%. The GRDP per capita will be 140 million VND (6,000 USD) per year (at the current price), and the total state budget revenue will reach about 190 trillion VND (8.1 billion USD). The urbanisation rate is about 40%, and 80% … [Read more...] about Pushing economic development in northern midland, mountainous regions
Economic recovery and growth plan
Indonesia announces end of pandemic handling fund
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (Photo: republika.co.id) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia ’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto announced on August 11 that the government is preparing to stop allocating the budget for COVID-19 handling and national economic recovery ( PC-PEN ) from the end of this year. According to him, based on Law No. 2 of 2020 concerning State Finance and Financial System Stability for COVID-19 Handling Efforts, the state budget deficit has been allowed to exceed 3 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) for three years till 2022 The government will not allocate a budget for COVID-19 handling and national economic recovery, but this does not mean that it will not continue its programmes in the health and social protection sectors, the minister clarified, adding that the fund will entirely be returned to each sector like before the COVID-19 broke out. Earlier, Finance Minister Sri … [Read more...] about Indonesia announces end of pandemic handling fund
Utilising every opportunity to grow and overcome challenges
At the conference on August 11, MPI Minister Dung said that thanks to the control of the pandemic and the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, the business sector has reported a positive recovery recently. As of July, the whole country had about 871,000 operating enterprises with tax incurred, an increase of nearly 13 per cent compared to 2021. In the first seven months of 2022, the number of enterprises entering and returning to the market, as well as additionally registered capital into the economy, increased sharply. The number of enterprises entering and re-entering the market was over 130,000 enterprises, an increase of 26.8 per cent on-year, 1.4 times higher than the number of enterprises withdrawing from the market. The total registered capital added to the economy in the first seven months of 2022 reached over $143 billion, an increase of over 37 per cent on-year. According to reports from business associations, the market has recovered over 75-85 per cent compared … [Read more...] about Utilising every opportunity to grow and overcome challenges
Thailand’s central bank hikes rate for first time in four years
Illustrative image (Photo: ledgerinsights.com) Bangkok (VNA ) – The Bank of Thailand (BOT) on August 10 raised its key policy rate by 25 basis points (0.25%) to 0.75%, aiming to keep the country's increasing inflationary pressures in check. The BOT forecast that Thailand's economic growth this year will be 3.3%, up 0.1% from its previous projection. For 2023, it predicted growth of 4.2%, down 0.2%. The central bank also maintained its forecast that the annual inflation stays at 6.2%. Raising the interest rate signaled that the BOT was shifting its focus by tightening monetary policy in order to prevent spiraling inflation that could weigh on economic growth . The BOT also noted that the Thai economy is recovering after the COVID pandemic was controlled./. VNA … [Read more...] about Thailand’s central bank hikes rate for first time in four years
Going green gives businesses a competitive advantage
Delegates discuss issues related to sustainable development at the ‘Good for Business, Good for Planet’ seminar held in HCM City on Wednesday. — VNS Photo Shifting to green growth would help businesses increase their competitiveness and catch up with trends in the domestic and foreign markets, delegates told a seminar in HCM City on Wednesday. As one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change, Viet Nam has made multi-dimensional efforts to drive the whole nation towards its collective goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gasses emissions targets, achieving sustainable development, and contributing to tackle the global climate change crisis, they said. Speaking at the ‘Good for Business, Good for Planet’ seminar held by Nhip Cau Dau Tu magazine, Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, said, “The green journey that Viet Nam has embarked on is bringing both opportunities and challenges. Those businesses who get onboard early can capture major opportunities and build a … [Read more...] about Going green gives businesses a competitive advantage
Vietnam participates more deeply in UN peacekeeping operations
The nation will play a more extensive role in future UN peacekeeping operations, including expanding the number of missions conducted by Vietnamese peacekeeping forces through forms of deployment. At the reception (Image source: qdnd.vn) Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien made the statement during a reception held on August 12 in Hanoi for Pauline Tamesis resident coordinator of the UN in Vietnam. Deputy Minister Chien emphasised that this year is of great significance as it will mark the 45th anniversary of the country’s participation in the UN. History shows that Vietnam has closely co-ordinated with international organisations, especially the UN, in order to carry out a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, and being a responsible member of the wider international community. The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the goodwill and co-operation of the UN and their competent … [Read more...] about Vietnam participates more deeply in UN peacekeeping operations
Vietnam to engage in UN peacekeeping operations more extensively: official
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (R) and UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis at the meeting in Hanoi on August 12 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien received UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis in Hanoi on August 12, saying that Vietnam will take part in UN peacekeeping operations more extensively in the time ahead. Chien appreciated the cooperation and assistance from the UN and its agencies in Vietnam, especially the UN Resident Coordinator Office, when the country served as the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during 2020 - 2021. He thanked the UN and relevant agencies for working closely with Vietnam to successfully carry out many war aftermath settlement activities, particularly the programmes and projects on addressing war-left unexploded ordnances and toxic chemicals, resulting in positive outcomes. The … [Read more...] about Vietnam to engage in UN peacekeeping operations more extensively: official
PM urges favorable environment for businesses
A strong business community will build an independent and highly resilient economy. Localities are expected to further create a favorable environment for business operation, especially in simplifying administrative formalities and avoiding petty corruption. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the conference. Photos: Nhat Bac Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the view during a conference between the Government’s leader and business community on August 11, which drew the participation of 1,200 delegates from a business association and local companies. According to Chinh, more than two years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has now put the situation under control and maintained positive growth. Vietnam’s GDP during the six months expanded by 6.42%, higher than the 5.74% rate in the same period last year, and equivalent to the growth rate recorded in the pre-pandemic period 2016-2019 (6.38%). In addition, Chinh also pointed out high … [Read more...] about PM urges favorable environment for businesses
Power shortage worries increase hunger for coal
Cao Son Coal, the company with the largest mining output in Vietnam, on July 19 announced to improve and expand the capacity of the Cao Son coal mine in Cam Pha in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, to meet high production requirements. Coal mining companies are increasing output to deal with power generation shortages, Le Toan The mine has total reserves of almost 52 million tonnes, with a designed capacity of about 4.5 million tonnes per year. By upgrading the reserves, Cao Son’s coal mine is expected to complete a record high mining output of 6.78 million tonnes in 2022. Phan Quoc Viet, director of Cao Son Coal, said, “We have mobilised equipment to maximise the exploitation of raw coal at the Cao Son mine. In 2021, we achieved a mining output of over 6.4 million tonnes.” Many miners feel that Cao Son Coal’s plan to increase output faces many challenges, especially considering the increasingly difficult and complex open-pit mining conditions. Similar to … [Read more...] about Power shortage worries increase hunger for coal
Bitexco develops international school in Ha Noi
Bitexco Group’s Chairman Vu Quang Hoi and Representative of The Dwight Schools, Chancellor Stephen Spahn, signed an agreement to establish the international Dwight School Hanoi. Photo: Bitexco Group Bitexco, one of the leading multidisciplinary economic groups in Viet Nam, with a history of 37 years operating in the fields of real estate, hydropower, construction, financial investment, mining, oil and gas, has expanded its activities to education. On August 11, the Bitexco Group and The Dwight Schools, a leading global network of International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools, officially formed a partnership to establish the international Dwight School Hanoi, which the group says will realise its ambition to enhance the quality of education and educate the future generation of Viet Nam. The future school will combine the 150-year legacy of excellence from Dwight, a pioneer in the International Baccalaureate program, to deliver the most advanced co-educational program from … [Read more...] about Bitexco develops international school in Ha Noi