Day: October 8, 2021

An increasing number of factories in the southern province of Binh Duong has registered to resume operations, according to the Binh Duong Industrial Park (IP) Authority.

In addition to enterprises working under “three-on-site” and “one route, two destinations” models, there are nearly 200 businesses that have signed up to reopen under the “three green” model.

Enterprises outside IPs have also begun to follow suit and each case will be thoroughly considered by local authorities in order to ensure safety.

The province’s employment centre said local enterprises need about 50,000 workers in the coming time.

Binh Duong has worked to administer the second COVID-19 jabs to its residents, with priority given to workers at IPs.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Average monthly incomes of workers in most economic sectors in the third quarter declined compared to the previous quarter and the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The average monthly income in the third quarter was 5.2 million VND (229 USD), down 847,000 VND compared to the previous quarter and 573,000 VND over the previous year.

Employees working in the service sector were most affected in terms of income with an average income of 6.2 million VND per month, down 13.5 percent compared to the previous quarter.

In the quarter, the Vietnamese labour market was seriously affected by the complicated development of the fourth wave of COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged social distancing.

The number of employed people decreased substantially during the reviewed quarter while the unemployment rate rose to a record level since the start of the pandemic.

Nguyen Thi Huong Director General of GSO, said attracting workers back to the labour market in the current context is quite a challenge for businesses and the Government.

It would be difficult for workers to go back to work as well as for businesses to recruit workers if the pandemic situation remains complicated in these localities, she said.

Facing this situation, the GSO proposed the Government take timely measures such as continuing the vaccination for dynamic labour markets that attract a large number of workers.

Localities should provide timely support to workers who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic including those who had their work suspended or had their labour contracts terminated, she said.

It is necessary to care for people’s health and living conditions, ensuring social security and welfare, especially the access to food, essential services, and health care services for local residents, Huong said.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) on October 7 granted a Geographical Indication (GI) certification for dragon fruit grown in the south central province of Binh Thuan of Vietnam after three years the Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit Association had submitted the application for the status in Japan.

The protected status is hoped to be a “passport” for the trademark “Binh Thuan dragon fruit” to make inroads into the Japanese market, and at the same time affirms the prestige of the product.

It is also expected to offer new opportunities to Binh Thuan to promote export of dragon fruit to other markets, especially choosy markets such as Europe, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand.

Dinh Huu Phi, General Director of the National Office of Intellectual Property under the Ministry of Science and Technology, emphasised that the GI certification for Binh Thuan dragon fruit has contributed to increasing the value, competitiveness and export advantage for Vietnamese products.

According to Phi, the GI certification allows Binh Thuan’s dragon fruit to gain a stronger foothold in the Japan market. This is also an important milestone, paving the way for the promotion of appying for the protected status for other Vietnam’s agricultural products in this fastidious market.

Binh Thuan is among the provinces producing the most dragon fruit in Vietnam with an annual output of nearly 700,000 tonnes.

Many dragon fruit co-operatives in the locality, such as Thuan Tien, Hoa Le, Hong Son, and Ham Tinh, were granted Collective Trademark by the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam.

Earlier, Thieu lychee grown in Luc Ngan district in the northern province of Bac Giang was granted a GI certificate from the MAFF.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen Hoang Xuan Chien received Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang in Hanoi on October 8.

Under the authorisation of Politburo member, Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang, Chien presented a token of medical supplies worth 5.2 billion VND (226,000 USD) to the ambassador, a gift of the Vietnamese Defence Ministry to its Lao counterpart.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Chairman of Japan’s Daiyu Steel Co. Ltd Sakuo Inoue has pledged to donate 1 million JPY (8,940 USD) to Vietnam’s national COVID-19 vaccine fund.

He revealed the decision during a recent working session with Vietnamese Consul General to Osaka Nguyen Hong Ha, and also hoped that the Vietnamese economy will recover quickly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ha, for his part, expressed his sympathy with difficulties met by Japanese firms during the pandemic.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government, ministries, agencies and localities are striving to fight the pandemic and shift to the period of safely, flexibly adapting to and effectively combating the virus while promoting production and trade.

The Vietnamese official also hailed Japanese enterprises, including Daiyu, for expanding production and doing long-term business in Vietnam.

Founded in 1961, Daiyu is a prestigious steel maker in Japan, with over 145 workers, including 12 Vietnamese.

In 2013, it opened the Daiyu Vietnam Steel Co. Ltd at the Tan Dong Hiep Industrial Park in the southern province of Binh Duong with a total investment of 2 million USD. It now has three factories in Japan and one in Vietnam.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

A Vietnam Airlines flight has brought 130 students of Hanoi Medical University and hundreds of medical workers, who finished their tasks of helping Ho Chi Minh City and southern localities, fight COVID-19, back to Hanoi.

Earlier, these students had suspended their study to go to the southern region in response to the Health Ministry’s appeal. They helped local forces to take samples for COVID-19 testing and care for patients. At present, hundreds of students and doctors of the Hanoi Medical University are still staying in HCM City and Binh Duong to continue pandemic prevention and control efforts.

As the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines plays an important role in transporting health workers and medical equipment and supplies between provinces and cities. Since the pandemic broke out, the airline has transported over 12,000 medical workers and hundreds of tonnes of medical equipment and vaccines.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held phone talks with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on October 8.

Both sides shared the view that the Vietnam – US ties have kept growing over the past 25 years, in which economic-trade ties and sustainable development cooperation are a focus while coordination in clean and renewable energy is a bright spot and new driving force.

Joint work across maritime security, education-training, climate change, and science-technology has been increasingly expanded.

On the occasion, Chinh thanked the US Government and people for offering vaccines and medical equipment to Vietnam to fight COVID-19.

He hailed US President Joe Biden’s administration for promoting global common efforts against climate crisis.

The PM affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to coping with climate change, including shifting to a low-carbon economy, easing reliance on coal-fueled power and increasing the rate of renewable energy.

He also suggested the US continue to increase support for Vietnam in dealing with war consequences, especially dioxin detoxification, thereby contributing to environmental cleanup and sustainable development in the nation.

Kerry affirmed that the US attaches importance to its comprehensive partnership with Vietnam and wishes for a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam. Appreciating Vietnam’s efforts in response to climate change, he affirmed his desire for the country to further promote its role in responding to the global climate crisis.

Saying Vietnam holds great advantages and potential in clean and renewable energy development, the US official stated that his country is ready to support Vietnam in turning itself into a leading nation in the region regarding clean and renewable energy technology via specific cooperation projects.

Towards the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November in Glasgow, the UK, both agreed that the international community needs to strengthen international cooperation activities, including the assistance for developing countries in finance, technology and capacity improvement in the spirit of common awareness and determination, as well as mutual support to achieve the goal of limit global temperature rise at 1.5 degree Celsius.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta discussed strengthening cooperation within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum during their phone talks on October 8.

They also touched upon coordination and preparations for the APEC 2021 Leaders’ Week, scheduled for November 8-12, and ways to promote relations between the two countries.

The ministers rejoiced at intensive and extensive developments of the bilateral strategic partnership, established in July 2020.

Mahuta spoke highly of achievements Vietnam has recorded over the past time, especially in COVID-19 containment and socio-economic development, and thanked the country for its coordination with New Zealand and other APEC members in promoting cooperation priorities in the APEC Year 2021, when New Zealand plays the host.

She briefed Son on New Zealand’s priorities during the APEC 2021 Leaders’ Week, and its agenda, and invited the Vietnamese minister to attend the 32nd APEC Ministerial Meeting slated for November 8-9.

For his part, Son congratulated New Zealand on its achievements in COVID-19 prevention and control, and socio-economic recovery and development.

The minister thanked and called on New Zealand to continue its donations of COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies to Vietnam.

He also lauded New Zealand as the host of APEC 2021 as well as its initiatives and contributions to maintaining and fostering APEC collaboration, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accepting Mahuta’s invitation to attend the 32nd APEC Ministerial Meeting, Son said that as an active and responsible member of APEC, Vietnam will continue its close coordination with New Zealand and other members to contribute to the success of the APEC 2021 Leaders’ Week.

The ministers agreed to maintain the close coordination in multilateral cooperation mechanisms to which both countries are members, enhance bilateral cooperation, and step up the sharing of information and policies in such areas as education-training, agriculture and climate change response.

Source: Vietnam News Agency