“Rural roads are critical to supporting the country’s agriculture sector, which accounted for more than 15% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2015, and employs—directly or indirectly—about half of the workforce,” said ADB Senior Rural Development Specialist Mr. Lee Ming Tai. “ADB’s Rural Connectivity Improvement Project will support the government’s current Seventh Five Year Plan, which focuses on boosting rural incomes as well as agriculture’s contribution to economic development.”About 80% of the country’s population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for its livelihood. But the sector is held back by several major constraints, including insufficient rural transport, inadequate market infrastructure, and more intense floods and cyclones related to climate change.Only about 40% of the rural population has access to all-weather roads, and these roads make up only 28% of the total length of … [Read more...] about Bangladesh improves rural road network for 51.5 million people
Senior year planning guide
EVFTA set to benefit EU investors in public procurement
The European Commission adopted the EU-Vietnam trade and investment agreements on October 17, 2018, paving the way for their signature and conclusion. The agreements include the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement. Currently the commission is now submitting the proposals to the European Council for the signature and conclusion of both agreements. Once authorised by the council, the agreements will be signed and presented to the European Parliament for consent. Once the European Parliament has given its consent, the trade agreement can then be concluded by the council and enter into force. The investment protection agreement with Vietnam will be ratified by the member states according to their respective internal procedures. Notably, in terms of public procurement under the EVFTA, EU companies will benefit from a level of access to Vietnamese procurement markets that companies from any other country cannot. Specifically, EU … [Read more...] about EVFTA set to benefit EU investors in public procurement
Weekly roundup: Development plans, expat income, October tips and more
Vietnam 16th top country for expat earnings: HSBC survey An annual HSBC survey says expats in Vietnam earn an average of $90,408 a year, ranking 16th in the world. Vietnam should prioritize local factories for high-speed railway: senior official The north-south high-speed railway should be seized as an opportunity for the country’s manufacturing sector and labor, a senior official says. Why October is the best time to touch down in Vietnam October is here and many of Vietnam’s travel destinations are shining brightly. Here are five reasons why the country is worth having on your itinerary. Tickle your taste buds at Hanoi market food court Hanoi’s Thanh Cong Market may not have made it to travel guide bucket lists, but its lure is irresistible to the capital’s foodies. HCMC officials not keen on city expansion An expert says HCMC needs to become bigger to tackle several ongoing problems, but municipal authorities are not enthused. … [Read more...] about Weekly roundup: Development plans, expat income, October tips and more
As tensions mount, Mattis seeks more resilient US ties with China’s military
The talks took place as the U.S. seeks to forge to more resilient military ties that can withstand mounting pressure between the world’s two largest economies. Mattis saw first hand last month how growing Sino-U.S. friction can undermine military contacts when Beijing up-ended plans for him to travel to China in October to meet Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. It was apparent retaliation over U.S. sanctions. Mattis and Wei made no remarks as the two shook hands at the start of their talks in Singapore, which took place on the sidelines of a gathering of Asian defense ministers. Randall Schriver, a U.S. assistant secretary of defense who helps guide Pentagon policy in Asia, said making military-to-military ties with China less brittle would be crucial to helping reduce the chances of a devastating conflict. “Two nuclear-armed powers with regional, if not global, interests - we need to make sure that when we step on one another’s toes, it doesn’t escalate into … [Read more...] about As tensions mount, Mattis seeks more resilient US ties with China’s military
Mattis to seek more resilient U.S. ties with China’s military
Mattis to seek more resilient U.S. ties with China's militaryThe Saigon Times Daily Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis speaks with the media before an enhanced honor cordon arrival of Greek Minister of Defense Panagiotis Kammenos at the Pentagon in Washington, U.S., October 9, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS SINGAPORE (REUTERS) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will seek more resilient military ties during talks with his Chinese counterpart in Singapore slated for Thursday, a U.S. official said, as both militaries attempt to navigate mounting tensions. Mattis saw first hand last month how growing Sino-U.S. friction could undermine military contacts when Beijing up-ended plans for an October meeting in China with Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, in apparent retaliation over U.S. sanctions. A meeting with Wei now appears set to take place on the sidelines of a gathering of Asian defence ministers in Singapore. Randall Schriver, a U.S. assistant secretary of defence who helps guide … [Read more...] about Mattis to seek more resilient U.S. ties with China’s military