Day: July 22, 2021

VietnamBriefing, a business news website on doing business in Vietnam, recently published an article highlighting the country’s special factors in attracting foreign investors compared to other regional production sites.

Vietnam’s supply chains have significantly evolved from how they were a decade ago, the article said, noting that among the countries competing for investment, Vietnam has emerged as a highly effective alternative for relocation in Southeast Asia.

“Vietnam’s pursuit of foreign investment, competitive costs, free trade agreements, and liberal investment environment have made it an ideal location for investors seeking to reduce costs and diversify supply chains,” it said.

The writing also analysed Vietnam’s competitive edge in terms of labour costs, political climate, infrastructure, working environment and flexible administrative system.

It quoted Dustin Daugherty, Head of North American Desk for Dezan Shira & Associates, as saying that Vietnam enjoys a high degree of regional diversity, and the North, Center, and South all have particular competitive advantages for different industries and types of businesses.

The article reported that Vietnam spends up to 5.7 percent of its GDP to improve transport infrastructure and logistics. A total investment value of 120 billion USD has been planned for PPP projects in the road and power sectors.

Daugherty noted that Vietnam is still a rather unfamiliar market for new investors. Investors have to play the long game and look at Vietnam as a long term investment to be able to manage risks.

While Vietnam stands to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, its overall positive growth rate provides a partial buffer, the article concluded.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association have sent a solidarity message affirming strong support for Cuban people in the context that the Cuban Revolution is facing the most difficult time during its 60-year history due to impacts of economic siege and embargos and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We resolutely oppose all plots and actions that incite, instigate, spread fake news, and distort in order to cause political disturbance and instability in Cuba,” they said in the message.

The US government’s unreasonable and inhumane embargo policy over the past nearly 60 years is the cause of difficulties in the lives of Cubans today, and seriously violates the human rights of the Cuban people, they said, noting that the measures tightening sanctions from April 2019 to December 2020 alone cost the Cuban economy more than 9 billion USD.

Overcoming difficulties, Cuba has gained important achievements, especially in science, technology, education and health.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cuban Government has made efforts and proactively implemented all solutions to ensure people’s lives, while continuing to conduct humanitarian medical activities and coordinate with the international community to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For peace-lovers around the world, Cuba is a symbol of international solidarity and the unyielding will to fight for freedom, peace, national independence and sovereignty and human dignity. Therefore, from 1992, the United Nations General Assembly has issued 29 resolutions supporting Cuba and calling for an end to the embargo against the country.

“The Vietnamese people call on the US Government to stop its hostile policy and immediately lift the unilateral economic and financial blockade against Cuba, soon normalize relations with Cuba, and respect the Cuban people’s right to choose their own development path and social regime. It is the most necessary thing to do now, and a practical way for the Cuban people to enjoy their legitimate rights, thus meeting the aspirations and interests of the Cuban people, the US people and the people of the world, and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and in the world,” the message wrote.

The Vietnamese people never forget the steadfast solidarity and generous support that the Cuban people gave to Vietnam at the most difficult times, the two Vietnamese associations said, affirming that the Vietnamese people will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with and support the Cuban people in any circumstances.

“We believe that with the measures and efforts of the Cuban Party and Government as well as the revolutionary tradition, will, determination, wisdom and courage of the Cuban people, Cuba will soon overcome current difficulties and successfully carry out the process of updating the socio-economic model and firmly moving forward on the chosen path,” read the message.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam is a leading partner of the UK in the region, British Minister of State for Asia Nigel Adams told Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung during their talks in Hanoi on July 22.

Adams said the UK wants to strengthen the comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam in politics, economy, and national defence and security, in the context of the UK adjusting its policy towards the Indo-Pacific.

Dung spoke highly of the development of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, and suggested the UK continue to help Vietnam access vaccines supplies and provide the country with medical equipment like ventilators and quick test kits so that Vietnam can quickly stamp out the resurgence of COVID-19.

The two sides agreed to step up meetings between their high-ranking leaders, both online and in-person, and soon resume regular delegation exchanges and major cooperation mechanisms such as the strategic defence and security dialogue at the deputy foreign ministerial level. Regarding economic cooperation, they emphasised the need to closely coordinate to popularise and optimise opportunities generated by the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) to create breakthroughs in trade and investment ties in potential fields like digital economy, smart urban areas, financial services and renewable energy.

They also consented to continue their close coordination at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) during Vietnam’s tenure as a non-permanent member (2020-2021), and within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum.

Adams said he hopes that Vietnam will further support the UK in its effort to become a dialogue partner of ASEAN, as well as in negotiations to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The officials exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern, and stressed the significance of ensuring the freedom of navigation and aviation, security and peace in the East Sea, and upholding international law, with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) considered a “charter on sea and ocean,” and a legal framework for all maritime activities.

Adams is accompanying UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in an official visit to Vietnam.

As part of the visit, Wallace on July 22 visited the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, where he held a dialogue with Vietnamese scholars and students of the academy. He said through the strategy tilting towards the Asia-Pacific released last March, the UK has affirmed its long-term commitment to peace and stability in the region.

Challenges and security at sea in the region have remained a common concern of the international community, Wallace said, explaining that they have affected regional peace and stability, as well as the rule of law.

Given this, the UK wishes to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN countries in the “ASEAN way” to promote dialogues and common peace and stability, he said, stressing that as a permanent member of the UNSC, the UK has a duty to protect the rules-based international order.

Wallace lauded Vietnam’s increasing role not only in the region but also in global issues, as proven in the country’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.

The UK and Vietnam share many strategic visions and interests, such as the views on free trade and the significance of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, he said.

The UK will continue its close coordination with Vietnam to boost cooperation within the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, he pledged.

Wallace and Adams exchanged views with Vietnamese scholars on the regional situation, as well as the UK’s role and contributions to the region and orientations to strengthen the partnership.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of the Government, on July 22 proposed the National Assembly sustain the Government’s structure of 18 ministries and four ministerial-level agencies in the 14th term for the 15th tenure.

Presenting the proposal as part of the 15th NA’s ongoing first session, the PM said the 14th Government’s structure of 18 ministries and four ministerial-level followed a multi-sector and multi-aspect model whose management scale has been gradually improved be fully functioning across sectors, in contribution to the realisation of goals set by the 12th National Party Congress’s Resolution.

Based on activities in the past tenure, the structure could be said as being consolidated in accordance with the Party’s guidelines and the NA’s resolution, he added. He stated that applying the organisational structure of the 13th tenure to the 14th tenure had created conditions for the Government to effectively perform the constitutional role of the highest state administrative body, exercise its executive power, and act as the executive authority of the NA.

According to the PM, functions, tasks and power of ministries and ministerial-level agencies have been supplemented and improved; their apparatuses have also been gradually streamlined for better efficiency.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The National Assembly listened to several reports and proposals of the Government of the 2016-2021 tenure in the morning of July 22, the third working day in the first session of the 15th tenure.

The Government submitted a report on the implementation of socio-economic development and state budget plans in the first six months of the year and measures to be taken in the second half of the year to realise the yearly plans. A report of the NA assessing the Government’s report was also presented to the legislature.

The Vietnam Fatherland Front delivered a document summing up opinions and petitions that voters and people sent to the 15th NA’s first session.

Also in the morning, the Government of the 2016-2021 tenure submitted a proposal on the five-year socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025, and another seeking the NA’s approval of the State budget balance in 2019.

The NA also heard the State Audit Office’s report and the NA’s verification report regarding he State budget balance in 2019.

Later, the Government delivered a proposal on the organizational structure of the Government in the 15th tenure.

In the afternoon, NA deputies discussed in groups the Government’s report on the implementation of socio-economic development and state budget plans in the first six months of the year and measures to be taken in the second half of the year to realise the yearly plans; and the five-year socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025.

On July 23, the NA is scheduled to listen to a report summing up the discussion on the organizational structure of the Government in the 15th tenure, then discuss and vote on a resolution on the matter.

The Government is expected to present a report on the national financial plan and the five-year plan on borrowing and public debt payment in 2021-2025.

Investment policy for the national target programme on sustainable poverty reduction in 2021-2025 and the national target programme on new-style rural building in 2021-2025 will be tabled for discussion

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam’s Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang chaired a welcome ceremony for and held talks with UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi on July 22.

During the talks, the two sides exchanged views on the world and regional situations and issues of mutual concern. The British side shared Vietnam’s views on solving the East Sea issue, affirming the importance of navigation and aviation freedom, supporting the rule of law, and emphasising that disputes need to be settled by peaceful means, based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They agreed that over the past time, the bilateral cooperation has been lifted to a new height, with many achievements in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and education. Regarding defence cooperation, despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have basically completed the agreed cooperation contents such as maintaining the policy dialogue mechanism, stepping up delegation exchanges, training English language for Vietnamese officers, and sharing experience in UN peacekeeping missions, thus contributing to the two countries’ strategic partnership.

They consented to continuing to promote defence ties with a focus on the exchange of delegations, the implementation of the existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Defence Policy Dialogue at the deputy ministerial level and the bilateral working group on defense cooperation, English language training for Vietnamese officers, the participation in UN peacekeeping missions, defence industry and cooperation on multilateral forums.

Vietnam supports the UK’s participation in the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) on the basis of ASEAN consensus, and backs the UK in promoting collaboration with ASEAN, including in military defence.

Minister General Phan Van Giang expressed his pleasure to welcome and hold talks with Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world as well as in two countries.

The move affirms the goodwill, efforts and determination of the two countries in promoting cooperation in general and defence cooperation in particular, he stated.

He took the occasion to thank the British Government for sharing experience in COVID-19 prevention and control, and putting Vietnam on the priority list of vaccines. He also suggested Wallace, within his authority, help the Vietnamese Defence Ministry in gaining access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Within the framework of his Vietnam visit from July 21-23, the UK Secretary of State for Defence is scheduled to pay a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, visit the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Vietnam National Border Committee, and have a meeting with several officers who participated in UN peacekeeping missions.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 22 suggested Vietnam and the UK continue to consolidate and strengthen cooperation between the two defence ministries and armies, both bilaterally and at multilateral forums.

The two sides should work to effectively realise cooperation agreements in national defence, contributing to the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership in conformity with each side’s interests, and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world, PM Chinh told UK Secretary of State for Defence Robert Ben Lobban Wallace in Hanoi on July 22.

Speaking highly the first visit to Vietnam by Wallace, PM Chinh said the trip vividly demonstrates both sides’ goodwill to promote the friendship and mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two defence ministries, armies and people of the two countries, helping to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.

He lauded strong development steps of the Vietnam-UK relations in such spheres as politics, economy, national defence and security, and sustainable development.

The PM called on the UK to effectively implement the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), encourage its firms to invest in Vietnam and facilitate Vietnamese goods’ access to the UK market.

PM Chinh suggested the UK Government continue its COVID-19 vaccine supply to Vietnam, create conditions for the Southeast Asian country to soon acquire vaccines under the COVAX Facility and access vaccine supplies as soon and as many as possible, and early transfer the vaccine production technology to Vietnam.

Regarding the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to be hosted by the UK in November, the government leader expressed his belief that the event will contribute to promoting global efforts in responding to climate change. Vietnam stands ready to work closely with the UK and other partners to make the conference a success, he pledged. Wallace, for his part, said he is impressed by achievements Vietnam has recorded in socio-economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as its development potential. The UK always attaches importance to its strategic partnership with Vietnam, he affirmed.

Praising Vietnam’s contributions in the region and the world, he said the UK Department of Defence is willing to closely cooperate with the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence to enhance exchanges and consolidate mutual trust, and step up mutually beneficial cooperation, covering training, experience sharing and collaboration within multilateral frameworks like UN peacekeeping operations.

While comparing notes on regional and international issues, the two sides stressed the importance of ensuring order, security, safety and freedom of navigation, and addressing disputes via peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

Source: Vietnam News Agency