How optimistic can you be in evaluating the trends of building smarter cities during this turbulent time in the global economy? Governments around the world are tapping into an arsenal of policy interventions and financing measures to support the transformation of sectors, especially energy and industry, improving energy efficiency, and tackling environmental pollution. Many are adopting a stick-and-carrot approach, including green taxes on harmful environmental activities, tighter regulations, and new environmental standards and certifications for energy performance, emissions, and pollution. Subsidies and tax rebates are used to boost demand for green products and services like electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and renewable energy. Loans and grants are also provided to promote green investments in sustainable agriculture, renewable or low-carbon energy sources, energy-efficient buildings, transport, and public infrastructure. There is a robust and wide array of green … [Read more...] about A phased approach to smart cities
Operation and supply chain management jobs
Singapore and Vietnam commit to further strong collaborations
In February, Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc paid a state visit to Singapore, with both nations vowing to continue cementing economic ties. How has this cooperation been implemented so far? Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam Singapore and Vietnam’s strong economic, trade, and investment ties are underpinned by decades of consistent and meaningful engagement between our governments and peoples. During President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s state visit to Singapore earlier this year, he and President Halimah Yacob reaffirmed these ties and committed to further collaboration. Our leaders also oversaw the signing of an MoU on economic and trade cooperation between our two countries. We are starting from a very strong base. Singapore has been the leading source of foreign direct investment into Vietnam for the past two years. Singapore is now Vietnam’s second largest foreign investor, with total registered capital of nearly $70 billion. This demonstrates the … [Read more...] about Singapore and Vietnam commit to further strong collaborations
Hanoi and Hoa Binh join hands to promote agro-produce sale
Many programs, fairs, and forums hosted by the city have helped enhance the connection between farmers and hospitality businesses. A conference on ensuring food safety and improving the quality of agro-forestry-fishery products in the 2021-2025 period was held within the framework of cooperation between Hanoi and the northern province of Hoa Binh to promote the consumption of safe agricultural products. Hoa Binh Province's specialties are on display at a trade fair in Hanoi. Photo: TTXVN Nguyen Ngoc Son, the deputy director of Hanoi's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, told The Hanoi Times that the northern province needs to better implement quality management, food security, and technological cooperation plans and programs, as well as develop the supply chain of safe agricultural products and food for the capital city. He stressed that the province should strengthen large-scale production and deploy high-tech and sustainable production … [Read more...] about Hanoi and Hoa Binh join hands to promote agro-produce sale
Production back to pre-pandemic level
A conference to review first-half operations and set out second-half tasks Significant contributions Despite numerous difficulties and challenges, the industry and trade sector yielded positive results in the first half of the year, making significant contributions to the country’s socioeconomic development, Minister Dien said. Nguyen Thuy Hien, deputy director of the Planning Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted bright spots related to the industry and trade sector’s growth goals in the first half of the year. Accordingly, the added value of the industrial sector increased by 8.48 percent compared to a year ago. Total export-import turnover reached an estimated US$371.3 billion, with exports increasing by 17.3 percent to more than US$186 billion. In particular, the export growth rate of the domestic sector (19.5 percent) overtook that of the FDI sector (16.6 percent), reflecting intensified efforts of domestic businesses to restore trade, … [Read more...] about Production back to pre-pandemic level
Emulating the ambitions of Singapore’s high-tech vision
Emulating the ambitions of Singapore’s high-tech vision, Photo: Le Toan Last week, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged Singaporean groups to increase their investment in Vietnam, notably in the fields of technology, strategic infrastructure development, logistics, and cutting-edge startups. According to PM Chinh, the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership is growing strongly and quickly in all areas, particularly the economy, trade, and investment. The two-way trade increased by over 23 per cent to reach $8.3 billion in 2021, and it reached $4.75 billion in the first half of 2022. He stressed that Vietnam wishes to strengthen its bilateral strategic alliance and learn from Singapore’s experience in establishing an independent, self-sufficient economy in parallel with intense and wide international integration. The PM suggested that the two countries should launch projects and events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and the 10th … [Read more...] about Emulating the ambitions of Singapore’s high-tech vision
High-quality human resources key to sustainable tourism industry
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - As tourism continues to revive, the hotel and tourism industry is suffering from challenges in recruiting qualified human resources post pandemic, industry players warned. Speaking at a seminar on August 9 in HCM City, Dr Nguyen Anh Tuan, director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research, said there was a lack of high-quality staff in the industry. Vu The Binh, chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association , said that human resources were a weak point for the industry even before the pandemic. “Efficient, hard-working, and resourceful human resources are the backbone of any successful business. It is even more so in the case of the hotel industry.” Successful hotel operations are sustained by customer-oriented and hard-working employees who have adequate competencies, he added. A large number of hotels and resorts stopped operation during the two-year pandemic, and coming back could prove challenging, he … [Read more...] about High-quality human resources key to sustainable tourism industry
Legalities in way of blockchain progress
At the “International experience on blockchain technology development and recommendations for Vietnam” conference held last Friday, Michael R. DiGregorio, the Asia Foundation’s country representative in Vietnam, suggested that the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) should allow businesses to experimentally approach areas that are not clearly regulated by laws, such as blockchain. Legalities in way of blockchain progress, illustration photo The Asian Foundation is collaborating with Vietnam Blockchain Corporation and jupviec.vn to pilot the application of blockchain. After the blockchain platform is successfully integrated into jupviec.vn, the system will connect about 2,000 domestic helpers with potential customers through the website and mobile application. This creates favourable conditions for workers when looking for a job, helping to increase their ability to negotiate salaries and other benefits related to their work records and professional … [Read more...] about Legalities in way of blockchain progress
Hanoi promotes industrial infrastructure development for sustainable growth
The capital city is committed to accompanying the business community in promoting industrial products using advanced and environmentally friendly technologies with high-added value. Hanoi is pushing for the development of industrial infrastructure and key industrial products, seen as the driving force for the capital city’s sustainable economic growth. Thang Long Industrial Park in Dong Anh District, Hanoi. File photo During the first six months of 2022, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade started the construction of six industrial parks and is working on accelerating 38 other projects in the city. For the 2021-2025 period, Hanoi aims for supporting industries to make up 30% of the total value of industrial production, an increase of 5% from the current level; raise the value of key industrial products to 40-45% of total industrial production, and expects 10% of businesses in Hanoi to stay among Vietnam’s top 500 companies. To realize this goal, … [Read more...] about Hanoi promotes industrial infrastructure development for sustainable growth