Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia's trade surplus hit a record high in April, surpassing its peak in last October amid soaring global commodity prices that boosted exports. The National Statistics Agency (BPS) announced on May 17 that Indonesia had registered a surplus for the 24th consecutive month in April, which had more than tripled to 7.56 billion USD year on year and increased 66 percent month on month. Economists forecast that Indonesia will benefit from rising in global commodity prices due to the impacts of the Russia-Ukraine conflict as revenues from the exports of crude palm oil (CPO), coal, and metal ores are higher than the increase in imports. According to BPS, Indonesia ’s exports reached 27.32 billion USD in April, up 47.76 percent year on year. The mining industry had the strongest export growth, almost doubling year on year to 6.41 billion USD. Meanwhile imports rose 21 percent to 19 billion USD. China remained Indonesia's top export destination, … [Read more...] about Indonesia enjoys largest trade surplus in history in April
Producers palm oil
Six more Vietnamese basa fish producers gain entry to US market
With the new move, Vietnam has a total of 19 basa fish plants that are allowed to export to US The National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) noted that the factories must comply with the provisions of Decision No.1802/QD-BNN-QLCL dated 2020 and instructions in Official Letter No.803/QLCL-CL1 dated 2020 to ensure that the entire basa fish production, processing, and export chain fully meets the regulations of both Vietnam and the US. Decision 1802 of the MARD presents a food safety control programme for Siluriformes fish and fish products exported to US market, helping Vietnam’s Siluriformes inspection system meet the requirements of the US. In the first four months of this year, Vietnam’s basa export value surpassed $950 million, up 94 per cent on-year, in which, the two leading markets of China and the US, mirrored a sharp growth. In the first four months of this year, Vietnam’s … [Read more...] about Six more Vietnamese basa fish producers gain entry to US market
Blue economy model gathering pace
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) last week again warned that the ocean is faced with increasing threats and multiple risks posed by climate change, natural disasters, environmental pollution, over-exploitation of natural resources, and unsustainable economic activities. “Global warming and marine litter are threatening marine resources, including widespread bleaching of coral reefs. Globally, an estimated 8-20 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year. In Vietnam, around 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste leaks from the country into the ocean every day. It is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050,” said Caitlin Wiesen, resident representative in Vietnam of the UNDP. The global ocean economy contributes an estimated $3 trillion per year, or about 5 per cent of the world’s GDP and comprises industries ranging from oil and gas, shipping and ports to renewable energy, fisheries, marine ecosystems and tourism. The value of the … [Read more...] about Blue economy model gathering pace
Six more pangasius processing factories eligible to export to US
Processing tra fish for export. (Photo: SGGP) It is expected to boost the export of Vietnamese pangasius to the US market in the near future. The six facilities are the Hop Nhat Seafood Corporation, Atlantic Seafood Freezing factory, Basa Mekong factory, High grade pangasius product exporting & Processing Factory, Co May 2 seafood processing export factory and CK Frozen Food Vietnam Co. Ltd. NAFIQAD also noted that factories should comply with the provisions of the program on controlling food safety for siluriformes fish and fish products exported to the US issued in Decision No. May 22, 2020 and instructions in Official Letter No. 803/QLCL-CL1 dated June 18, 2020, ensuring that the entire chain of production, processing and export of pangasius fully meets the regulations of both Vietnam and the US. The Centre for Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Zone 4 and 6 will appraise and issue certificates for pangasius shipments of these factories to the US market in accordance with … [Read more...] about Six more pangasius processing factories eligible to export to US
Vietnam should shift economic growth model for further development: WB report
An overview of the event to launch the report (Photo: WB) Hanoi (VNA) - For Vietnam to realise its aspiration for reaching high income status by 2045, the country will need to shift its economic growth model and sharply improve the government’s capacity to coordinate and implement economic policy reforms and public investments, a World Bank Group report says. The World Bank Group ’s Systematic Country Diagnostic Update , entitled "How Will Vietnam Blossom? Reforming Institutions for Effective Implementation”, emphasises that Vietnam's traditional growth model faces major challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, slowing globalisation, and the country’s increasing vulnerability to external shocks, especially climate risks. After identifying a series of policy responses and reform priorities, many of which are not new, the report argues that adapting institutions will be the key to success. Vietnam’s GDP per capita has increased five fold over the past three … [Read more...] about Vietnam should shift economic growth model for further development: WB report
Vietnamese consumers’ growing interest in Australian F&B products
Shannon Leahy, trade commissioner for Austrade, and general director of BRG Retail Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy. Photo: Austrade Australia is one of Vietnam’s major suppliers of beef ad lamb products. Local consumers can enjoy a growing range of Australian products from fresh fruits, dairy, seafood, and beverages including a diverse range of sparkling, red, and white wines. Cherries, citrus, table grapes, milk, yoghurt, cheese, cereals, juices, rock lobsters, and abalone are just some of the beloved Australian products that have made it into Vietnamese stores, restaurants, and homes. General director of BRG Retail Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy said, “Vietnamese consumers increasingly demand clean, fresh, and delicious products with premium quality and transparent origins regardless of if they are eating out or at home. Australian suppliers can offer exactly what they want, including high-quality sustainable meat, delicious fruits, the finest dairy and cereals, and premium seafood … [Read more...] about Vietnamese consumers’ growing interest in Australian F&B products
Nation lacking coal supply for sufficient power generation
Flexibility is required in handling raw material issues for power plants and easing coal supply pressures, Photo: Shutterstock Thai Binh Thermal Power Plant under Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) has been in a coal shortage since the beginning of 2022. Ta Trung Kien, director of the plant, said that the volume of coal delivered “has been reduced significantly” compared to the signed contract. Vinacomin Group and Dong Bac Corporation – two of the coal suppliers for the Thai Binh Thermal Power Plant – delivered only just over 74 per cent of the monthly plan. “The two units of our plant need about 6,400 tonnes of coal per day. Due to a lack of coal, the plant was forced to use backup coal to maintain the operation. By the end of the first quarter, these reserves were at just about 14,000 tonnes, much lower than the required norm of 80,000 tonnes,” Kien said. Many other plants are facing similar problems, including Nghi Son 1, Vung Ang 1, Vinh Tan 2, and Duyen Hai 1, which currently … [Read more...] about Nation lacking coal supply for sufficient power generation
Six more Vietnamese firms eligible to export tra fish to US
With the decision, the total number of Vietnamese tra processing firms eligible to enter the US market increases to 19. Vietnamese tra fish sector aims to earn some 1.6 billion USD from exports, and produce between 1.6 – 1.7 million tons of tra fish products in 2022. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development , tra fish exports to the US will continue to increase because the demand from this market is still huge due to a decrease in US domestic production, and high prices of seafood in the country. The Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Management Department noted that firms should comply with provisions of the Fish Food Safety Control Program and ensure that the entire tra fish production, processing and export chain fully meets the requirements of both Vietnam and the US./. VNA … [Read more...] about Six more Vietnamese firms eligible to export tra fish to US