Measures used by government to protect consumers

A garment-textile factory in Vietnam (Photo: VNA)   Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Improvement Programme has helped 82 garment-textile and footwear factories in Vietnam invest 37 million USD in efficient use of resources, thus saving 30 million USD per year, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Over the last three years, the programme, initiated by the IFC – a member of the World Bank Group, has also helped those factories save a total of 4 million cu.m. of water and reduce 303,000 tonnes of green house gas emission a year. Effective use of resources and performance improvement have enabled Vietnamese businesses to attract new customers who seek suppliers meeting global sustainable standards. Country manager for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia of the IFC Kyle Kelhofer said the measures not only save production costs but also raise competitiveness of domestic firms in the global supply chain. Vietnam is currently among the 10 largest garment-textile … [Read more...] about Firms benefit from programme on efficient use of resources

  A sluice in a coastal commune in the Mekong Delta province of Kiên Giang prevents saltwater intrusion. – VNA/VNS Photo Lê Huy Hải HCM CITY — Authorities in provinces in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta and Cần Thơ City are dredging irrigation works and storing fresh water to cope with saltwater intrusion during the dry season. Saltwater intrusion is expected to be more severe this year because of low flooding levels and lower than usual rainfall during the rainy season, according to local authorities. During the dry season, saline intrusion will occur earlier than usual, causing a shortage of fresh water for agricultural production, according to the Southern Institute of Water Resources Research. Kiên Giang Province's People’s Committee has told agencies to dredge irrigation canals to improve … [Read more...] about Delta provinces take steps to control saltwater intrusion

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình delivered a keynote speech at a high-level session of the 10th Regional Conference of the Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia-Pacific, themed “Preventing and Combating Corruption in Infrastructure Projects in Asia-Pacific”, in Hà Nội on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình has asked the Government Inspectorate to learn from international experience in combating graft, especially in infrastructure projects, in order to ensure the country's sustainable development. He made the remark on Friday at the closing ceremony of the four-day 10th Regional Conference of the Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia-Pacific, which was started in 1999 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and was hosted this year by the Government of Việt Nam … [Read more...] about Corruption-free infrastructure key to sustainable development: Deputy PM

    A PSI project model implemented in Phú Thành Commune, Nghệ An Province is displayed at a conference in Hà Nội. VNS Photo   HÀ NỘI — Tighter regulations are needed to ensure good quality water is sourced for years to come. That was the message delivered by Nguyễn Thị Hồng Khánh, from the Ministry of Construction’s Technological Infrastructure Department. She believes a solid legal framework is necessary to make sure there is plenty of water for future generations. “We need a scheme for the Water Supply Law, and submit it to the Government and the National Assembly,” Khánh said. “It is needed to survey and catalogue important sources to have an effective protection, exploitation and use plan.” There are more than 200 water supply enterprises, mainly operating as joint stock companies. The national programme to ensure water supply and prevent water … [Read more...] about A legal framework for water supply essential in Việt Nam

Vietnam's emerging startup scene is proving to be a case of right place, right time for local and international venture capital funds. Eleven “rising star” startups in Southeast Asia in September converged at the “500 Startups Demo Day” in Ho Chi Minh City to spotlight the dynamic technology landscape in Vietnam and broader Southeast Asia. “There’s more hype about Vietnam’s tech scene now than ever before, as this is an exciting time for Vietnam overall,” said Mr. Eddie Thai, General Partner at 500 Startups Vietnam. “Vietnam is fast becoming an attractive destination for local and international venture capital funds, who are hoping to capture the growing consumer opportunities and leverage the Vietnamese entrepreneurial spirit.” Rising appetite Vietnam’s startup sector is growing at a rapid clip despite the global economic slump and is closing the gap with regional leaders. In only two years, it has made a big leap … [Read more...] about Startups catching the eye