The European Union is working to boost its presence in the Pacific through economic ties and new security commitments as geostrategic competition in the region intensifies, the bloc's ambassador to Pacific Island nations said on Tuesday. Ambassador Sujiro Seam told Reuters in an interview during a visit to New Zealand the EU had long been seen as a development partner in the Pacific and that it wanted to be perceived as an economic and strategic partner as well. The EU's push comes as major powers are vying for influence in the region, with the United States and Australia ramping up engagement in the Pacific after China signed a security pact with the Solomon Islands this year. "The geostrategic importance of the Pacific is recognised by everyone, including the European Union," Seam said. The European Union has long had a presence in the Pacific, mostly via France's ties to French Polynesia. In 2021, the European Union set out a formal Indo-Pacific strategy and announced a … [Read more...] about European Union working to increase economic, security ties in Pacific
Engineering works trade fair
Ha Noi connects commercial banks with local businesses
An overview of the conference. — VNA/VNS Photo More than 100 businesses and 43 investors of industrial clusters and nearly 20 commercial banks participated in a conference to connect local firms in Ha Noi with commercial banks and the Ha Noi Development Investment Fund (HANIF). The event, launched on August 15, was jointly held by the city's Department of Industry and Trade, the Ha Noi Branch of the State Bank of Vietnam, and the Ha Noi Association of Main Industrial Products (HAMI). Addressing the event, Tran Thi Lan Phuong, Acting Director of the Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade, said that the conference aimed to provide a chance for banks and investment funds to introduce soft loans and support programmes to businesses, helping them overcome difficulties and develop. In order to launch infrastructure projects in industrial parks and clusters in the city, the Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade suggested that businesses should coordinate closely with credit … [Read more...] about Ha Noi connects commercial banks with local businesses
Hanoi helps businesses get loans
The city's authorities will continue focusing on boosting economic recovery while addressing the concerns of the business community. An agreement signing ceremony to support access to concessional loans between the Hanoi Investment Fund for Development, the city's commercial banks and the business community took place at a conference connecting stakeholders in Hanoi on 15 August. An overview of the signing ceremony. Photo: kinhtedothi.vn The municipal Department of Industry and Trade and the Investment Fund for Development also signed an agreement on cooperation and information exchange on the same day to promote the recovery of the city’s businesses in the post-pandemic period. Speaking at the conference, Acting Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan said: “The conference is expected to facilitate the connection between local banks and businesses to support those who need concessional loans.” She called on the … [Read more...] about Hanoi helps businesses get loans
Party officials visit UK for improved strategic partnership
In a group photo: Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh (6th from left) and Graham Stuart, Minister of State (Minister for Europe) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (4th from right) and Minister of State in the Cabinet Office Nigel Adams (5th from left). (Photo: VNA) London (VNA) – A Party delegation, headed by Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh, paid a visit to the UK from August 10 – 15, aiming to fortify the countries’ strategic partnership, particularly in economy, trade, and investment. During the trip, the delegation met many UK officials, namely Graham Stuart, Minister of State (Minister for Europe) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Nigel Evans; Minister of State in the Cabinet Office Nigel Adams; Economic Secretary to the Treasury Richard Fuller; and General Secretary of the Communist … [Read more...] about Party officials visit UK for improved strategic partnership