Day: September 21, 2021

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 20 visited the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana as part of his official visit to Cuba.

Established in 1986, the CIGB is a leading biotechnology centre of Cuba. It has successfully researched and produced five types of vaccines against COVID-19, including Abdala, making Cuba the first and only Latin American-Caribbean country to research and produce its own COVID-19 vaccines.

According to Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan, during the President’s visit, the health ministries of Vietnam and Cuba have reached agreements on eight cooperation contents in research, training, technology transfer and production of medicines.

At the CIGB, President Phuc witnessed the signing of an agreement between the CIGB and the Centre for Research and Production of Vaccines and Biologicals (POLYVAC) under the Vietnamese Ministry of Health on purchasing 5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Cuba. Businesses of both sides also signed deals on the transfer of Soberana 2 COVID-19 vaccine.

He expressed his hope that health care partnership between the two countries will continue to grow effectively to match the sound relations between the two sides.

The Vietnamese State leader is scheduled to visit General Raul Castro Ruz before leaving Havana for Santiago, the second largest city of Cuba, where he will lay wreaths at Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s grave and the monument commemorating national hero Jose Marti.

After concluding the Cuban visit, President Phuc will head to New York for a general debate of the UN General Assembly’s 76th session and a number of bilateral activities in the US.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Vietnam – Russia oil and gas joint venture Vietsovpetro is likely to complete all of its yearly targets in revenue, profit and State budget payment right in September thanks to comprehensive and effective measures to promote production.

A representative from the firm said that the fourth wave of COVID-19 that broke out in early May has posed adverse impacts on the health of all workers of Vietsovpetro as well as the operations of the firm as well as the entire oil and gas sector.

In order to maintain safe operations amid the pandemic, Vietsovpetro leaders have given drastic and flexible directions on the implementation of solutions to ensure the health of workers and maintain production at the same time.

Particularly, the firm has strengthened measures to cut cost and speed up digital transformation to maximise its performance in all conditions and circumstances.

By giving proper assessments and forecasts of risks, Vietsovpetro has applied measures to adapt to and cope with changes in the economy.

As part of its efforts to implement the programme to cut cost and improve operational efficiency, the firm has saved 11.7 million USD in costs in the first eight months of 2021, equivalent to 124 percent of its yearly target.

Vietsovpetro General Director Nguyen Quynh Lam said that the firm has continued to roll out solutions to optimise the crude oil production process to reduce cost. It has minimised production cost in all stages from platform erection, oil drill operations, oil exploitation and transport, thus saving about 20 million USD during the processes.

Regarding oil and gas exploitation, Vietsovpetro exploited over 2.1 million tonnes of oil equivalent and condensate in the first eight months of this year, exceeding its target for the period by 5.4 percent. Meanwhile, its natural gas output reached 55.8 million cu.m, surpassing the set goal by 8.4 percent. The volume of gas supplied to the shore also reached 605.3 million cu.m.

Its total revenue from oil and gas reached about 1.06 billion USD, 293.3 billion USD higher than its target and up 23.3 percent year on year.

Its budget payment hit 535.5 million USD, exceeding the plan by 154.5 million USD and representing a year-on-year rise of over 27 percent. Its profit hit 163.7 million USD, 52.9 million USD more than the figure set in the plan and increasing nearly 31 percent over the same period last year.

With the results, Vietsovpetro is likely to complete the targets for the whole year of 2021 in terms of revenue, payment to the state budget and profit in September, three months ahead of schedule.

In 2020, the joint venture’s oil and gas output reached 3.42 million tonnes, surpassing the set target by nearly 300,000 tonnes.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, held a national launching ceremony in response to the “Clean up the world” campaign.

The ceremony was concurrently held virtually in Hanoi, the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Thai Binh, and the central provinces of Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam.

The campaign was organised globally for the first time in 1993. It has become one of the annual international environmental events responded by hundreds of millions of people in more than 130 countries around the world.

The campaign aims to call on organisations, businesses, individuals and the entire community to participate in activities to improve and protect the environment; collect, treat, and recycle waste; and refuse to use disposable plastic products and hard-to-degrade plastic bags.

This year, the campaign focuses on conveying messages and raising public awareness of the meaning, role and responsibility of environmental protection in socio-economic development; stepping up activities to promote environmental protection, sustainable development, disaster reduction and climate change adaptation in the “new normal”.

People can respond to the campaign through actions such as sorting, recycling, reusing plastic waste, increasing environmental sanitation, and planting trees.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc witnessed the signing of an agreement worth nearly 2 billion USD between Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways and the General Electric’s GE Aviation in New York on September 21.

Under the deal, the airline will purchase GENx engines, which will be delivered next year, to power its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and a maintenance package for its Boeing 787-9 fleet.

The fleet will be used on planned non-stop routes between Vietnam and the US.

The same day, the carrier announced the launch of its Vietnam – US direct route.

If conditions permit, the flight service will begin in early 2022 with three weekly flights initially. Given the market demand, the capacity could increase to five or seven flights per week.

Initially, the airline will run flights linking Tan Son Nhat and San Francisco international airports. In the long term, it also plans to operate flights to both San Francisco and Los Angeles international airports in California state.

With the debut of the official ticket agent and linkage with the US partners, Bamboo Airways saw that it is time to make new strides in effectively tapping routes linking the two continents, contributing to boosting trade and meeting demand for travelling between the two countries.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam may attract about 30 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2021, posting a year-on-year rise of 2 percent, economists forecast, pointing to positive signs in FDI attraction in the first eight months of 2021 despite the complexities of COVID-19.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, foreign investors channelled 19.12 billion USD into the country in January-August, equalling nearly 98 percent of the same period last year, with several multi-billion USD projects.

Singaporean investors poured over 3.1 billion USD into the Long An LNG power plants No 1 and 2 while the O Mon 2 thermal power plant in Can Tho city invested by Japan received 1.31 billion USD in the period. The LG Display project in Hai Phong city has received additional investment twice this year, with 750 million USD in February and 1.4 billion USD in August.

Despite social distancing measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country’s FDI inflow in the first eight months only saw a slight decline of 2.1 percent against the same period last year, said Nguyen Van Toan, deputy head of the Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises.

Of note, new registered capital surged 16.3 percent and disbursement of FDI capital hit 11.58 billion USD, up 2 percent.

Speaking with Cong Thuong (Industry and Trade) newspaper, Phan Huu Thang, former head of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, voiced his belief that FDI inflow into Vietnam may still reach about 30 billion USD this year.

To address current difficulties facing foreign investors when they want to enter the country to study investment possibilities or to implement investment projects, the Government and relevant ministries and agencies are urged to consider reducing quarantine period for those who have been fully vaccinated and hold a negative COVID-19 testing certificate.

In the first eight months of this year, , Vietnam attracted investors from 92 countries and territories. Singapore was the leading investor with registered capital exceeding 6.2 billion USD, or 32.5 percent of the total FDI inflow.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on September 20 had a working session with leaders of the southern province of Dong Nai on COVID-19 prevention and control.

At the working session, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh said Dong Nai has implemented social distancing measures for two months and 11 days.

According to the official, if the restrictions persist, local people, businesses, and authorities will face many difficulties. As the province has a low vaccination rate, the reopening might make the disease spread but restrictions will lead to exhausted resources.

Linh said vaccine is key to regional economic connectivity in the time to come and proposed increasing vaccination rates of localities in the region to ensure the connectivity taking place smoothly and safely.

He added that Dong Nai prioritises good treatment of COVID-19 patients, zoning areas where COVID-19 cases are detected, and granting autonomy to enterprises for their sustainable and safe production. Concluding the meeting, Dam stated the Government will prioritise vaccine distribution for Dong Nai, other localities in the Southeast region, and western provinces.

He agreed with Dong Nai leaders’ opinions on letting enterprises and people be active, responsible and creative in pandemic prevention during the reopening period. He also noted that it, however, does not mean that the authorities will loosen its management.

Dam requested Dong Nai follow COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, particularly in testing, contact tracing, and treatment, ordering the work to be suitable, creative, cost-effective, and safe.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Association is holding an online exhibition entitled “Peaceful colours”, featuring 103 artworks by 63 painters and sculptors.

The exhibition, the first of its kind arranged by the association, lasts until October 20.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting people’s spiritual life and the development of numerous aspects of life, especially art forms such as painting, sculpture and graphics, the event aims to help people become accustomed to the new normal and motivate artists during the period of social distancing.

It is also to bolster cultural exchanges in arts at home and abroad, and encourage optimism amongst artists to surmount the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam and Cuba released a 12-point joint statement on the occasion of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official friendship visit to Cuba from September 18-20 at the invitation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

The statement noted that the Vietnamese State leader held talks with his Cuban counterpart, while had meetings with President of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz. The meetings took place in an atmosphere of friendship, comradeship and fraternity, a typical feature of the relationship between Vietnam and Cuba.

President Phuc also met with Cuban revolutionary leader General Raul Castro Ruz, during which they highlighted the long-standing history and special characteristics of the Vietnam-Cuba ties, as well as the continuity of the close and trustful relations, mutual support and cooperation between the two countries in the current context.

President Phuc laid wreaths at the monuments of Cuban national hero José Martí and President Ho Chi Minh. He also visited the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana and Santigo city, where he paid tribute to revolutionary heroes and laid a wreath at Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s grave. The Cuban President presented President Phuc with the José Martí Order in recognition of the Vietnamese leader’s contributions to the strengthening of the historical friendship, solitarity and cooperation between Cuba and Vietnam.

During their talks, the two leaders reviewed and shared delight at the growing ties between the two countries, reaffirming the determination to accelerate bilateral special relations to a new development period on the basis of mutual political trust, as well as wish to expand partnership in all fields. They also briefed each other on the situation in each country and discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They underlined the special characteristics of the bilateral relationship, which has been built on the solidarity and mutual admiration as well as similarity in ideology and principles.

Vietnam and Cuba agreed to expand, foster and further deepen their fraternal relations, solidairity and comprehensive cooperation to make more positive contributions to the national defence and construction in each country as well as the stability and development in the two regions and the world as a whole.

Both sides expressed belief that future generations of both nations will remain loyal to the everlasting heritage owned between the two peoples, maintain their solidarity and continue to walk hand in hand in the cause of national construction and protection of socialism in each country for a fairer and more sustainable world.

The two leaders informed each other on the outcomes of the congresses of the two Parties earlier this year, and exchanged experience in the path of building socialism on the foundation of the reality in each country. President Phuc expressed belief that the ideology, theory and guidelines adopted at the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC)’s congress in April will help the country continue maintaining development projects in the safeguarding of sovereignty, independence, socialism, democracy, prosperity and stability.

The Vietnamese leader said that he believes under the wise leadership of the CPC, Cuba will overcome the negative effects of the blockade and embargo and continue its national growth for the benefits of the Cuban people.

Vietnam lauded the new Cuban revolutionary leaders inheriting the legacies left by previous generations as well as their commitments to continue to stick to socialism and maintain the fraternal relations and special friendship, solidarity and cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam spoke highly of the prestige and recognised contributions of Cuba to the international solidarity in COVID-19 prevention and control. Vietnam acknowledged that despite the embargo and conditions of a developing country, Cuba has become the first and only Latin American-Caribbean country to successfully develop three types of COVID-19 vaccine.

Vietnam affirmed its consistent stance of supporting the just struggle of the Cuban people for immediate and unconditional end of ungrounded and unilateral economic, trade and financial blockage against Cuba, opposing the increase of unilateral sanctions against the country and emphasising that these measures have aggravated the socio-economic difficulties facing the Cuban people in the current epidemic context.

First Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez highly valued great attainments of historical significance that Vietnam has gained over the past 35 years as well as the strong and comprehensive growth of Vietnam over the recent years. Cuba believes that Vietnam will successfully implement the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, and complete all targets set in the socio-economic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period, he said. The Cuban leader also lauded Vietnam’s foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance and international integration as well as its contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia and the world. The Cuban leader also hailed the role that Vietnam played as the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

The two leaders concurred that amid the current situation when Vietnam continues to promote “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause and Cuba continues its socio-economic growth model update, the two countries should maintain exchanges with both online and direct forms, focusing on major areas such as food security, cybersecurity, and communications, while keeping historical memories and close ties in defence-security and external relations, and continuing to increase the exchange among ministries, sectors as well as State and Government agencies.

They underscored the significance of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and shared determination to enhance the efficiency of these mechanisms.

They stressed the need to promote and improve effectiveness of bilateral economic partnership, including the maintaining of stability and diversity of bilateral trade. Cuba lauded Vietnam’s position as Cuba’s most important partner in the Asia-Pacific region, underlining that the country proritises the improvement of business environment to attract more Vietnamese investors. At the same time, Cuba will consider the potential and strengths of each side to expand collaboration in prioritised sectors. The two State leaders upheld the importance of bilateral agreements signed during President phuc’s visit.

They also highlighted the significance of the Vietnam-Cuba partnership amid COVID-19, describing the ties as the model of solidarity in the world and evidence of the special feature of the relations between the two Parties, States and people.

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez thanked Vietnam for its invaluable support to the country in the field of food security, highlighting the donation of rice and medical supplies of the Vietnamese Party, State and people to the Cuban people since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The Vietnamese President also appreciated the State and people of Cuba for their help to Vietnam in the medical field by sending experts and donating Cuban biological products, and especially providing vaccines against the pandemic.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the similarity in the stances on international issues, affirming that international disputes need to be resolved by peaceful means, strictly adhering to the principles of International Law and the Charter of the United Nations.

The two sides agreed that the close bilateral relations between Vietnam and Cuba would contribute to the expansion of Cuba’s dialogue and cooperation with other countries and Southeast Asia, as well as between Vietnam and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Vietnamese side welcomed Cuba’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

They acknowledged the role of regional and inter-regional organisations in consolidating friendly, peaceful and cooperative relations based on mutual respect, non-interference and respect for differences and peaceful coexistence, as stated in the Declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as Areas of Peace.

The two sides reaffirmed the validity of the fundamental principles of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM); the movement’s goals, principles and role in the current international context need to be thoroughly respected; as well as appreciated the movement’s contributions to the defence of International Law. They also reaffirmed the commitment to promoting peace and international security and disarmament, especially disarmament of nuclear weapons. They welcomed the signing and ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The two leaders reiterated that Vietnam and Cuba continue to promote participation in human rights forums at the United Nations and oppose the trend of politicisation, polarisation and discrimination against developing countries, as well as selectivity and double standards for meddling in the internal affairs of countries, saying that only through cooperation and dialogue on the basis of mutual respect can promote human rights for all.

Vietnam reaffirmed its support for efforts to resume dialogue and expand cooperation between the US and Cuba on issues of mutual concern, on the basis of equality, respect for sovereignty, independence, and political institution of each country.

The two sides will continue to support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums to which they are members. They agreed on the importance of effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and continue to actively contribute to climate change response efforts.

The two leaders highly appreciated the results of the visit, considering it a milestone of special significance. This was the first visit by a head of state since the outbreak of the pandemic and was conducted on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

They also expressed their pride that the visit was made close to the 48th anniversary of the historic visit by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz to Vietnam in September 1973 and 55 years since President Ho Chi Minh received General, Minister of Revolutionary Armed Forces Raul Castro Ruz in October 1966.

The two leaders reaffirmed that Vietnam-Cuba solidarity will help the two countries to achieve the dual goals of defeating the pandemic and promoting comprehensive socio-economic development, and continue to build socialism for their current and future generations.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc invited First Secretary of the Communist Party and President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez to pay an official visit to Vietnam and the invitation was accepted the invitation with pleasure. The visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Source: Vietnam News Agency