Day: October 27, 2021

Deputy Director General of the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) Tran Minh Hung has become Chairman of the Vietnam – Indonesia Friendship Association (VIFA) for the 2021-2026 tenure.

He was elected at the VIFA’s fourth National Congress in Hanoi on October 27.

Speaking at the event, VIFA Vice Chairman Nguyen Dang Quang said during the new tenure, VIFA will renew its operations to contribute to bilateral ties and maintain an environment of peace and stability.

It will also work closely with chapters to carry out the 2017-2022 action programme, prepare for possibilities against COVID-19, as well as serve as a bridge to lift two-way trade to 10 billion USD soon.

At the same time, it will partner with the Indonesian Embassy in Vietnam and partners to hold seminars and exchanges to learn about each other’s potential and jointly celebrate the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025 and other important events.

In order to safeguard national sovereignty and interests related to the East Sea issue, VAFI continues enhancing information work and making clear Vietnam’s stance and policies.

On the occasion, the Presidium of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) presented the insignia “For peace and friendship among nations” and certificates of merit to VAFI’s outstanding individuals in honour of their contributions./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Rear Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, is attending the 17th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS 17) which kicked off on October 26 via videoconference with the theme of “Effective Ocean Governance for Regional Partnership and Stability”.

In his opening remarks, Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy Adeluis S Bordado emphasised that WPNS aims to strengthen cooperation activities and address tensions affecting relations between nations, as well as challenges related to terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, and maritime security activities.

With joint efforts of member countries and observers, the contents of cooperation within the WPNS framework have become more diverse, the scope and field of cooperation have been constantly expanding, and strategic trust has been strengthened based on the principle of effective dialogue and collaboration among countries in the Western Pacific region.

The symposium focuses on three main issues: considering the application to join the WPNS of the Fiji Navy (with all 20 “yes” votes), discussing commitments to host activities within the WPNS framework in the coming time, and considering the criteria for the navies of the observer countries to become full members of the WPNS.

Its plenary session is scheduled to take place on October 27./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 27 visited a number of firms run by old people on the occasion of the 2021 Action Month for the Elderly.

One of his destinations was the leather maker LADODA in the northern province of Hung Yen, whose chairman is 81-year-old Dinh Quang Bao.

Phuc praised Bao for his good management of the company despite his old age and hoped LADODA to continue promoting the application of technological advances in its leather production and boosting labour productivity.

He recommended the firm pay attention to production safety and security and ensure essential conditions for workers.

The State leader also toured the Rang Dong Light Source and Vacuum Flask JSC, which is led by CEO Nguyen Doan Thang, 78.

At the visit, Phuc said the company gathers highly competent scientists, and frequently update products toward automation and digital technology. As a result, its revenue and export value have been constantly increasing, ensuring workers’ interests, he added.

He also suggested Rang Dong and LADODA pay special attention to protecting the living environment for people and strengthen brand building to reach regional and international stature./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Foreign representative agencies in Vietnam were updated on the country’s consular policy at a meeting held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 26.

The event, held both in person and via videoconference, gathered more than 150 representatives from foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices and representative offices of international organisations in the country.

Chairing the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung said it was an occasion for foreign representative agencies to raise opinions and proposals to help the ministry perfect the coordination mechanism.

In the first session, participants were informed about the latest changes to the country’s policies and laws, including revisions relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic such as those on the exit, entry, and residence by foreigners, vaccine passports, and COVID-19 vaccination for foreigners.

In the second session, the foreign representatives gave opinions on the coordination in consular affairs. They paid attention to the country’s upcoming policy on entry and post-entry quarantine for foreigners and the recognition of vaccine passports to facilitate international travel.

Basing on the opinions, the Foreign Ministry will continue perfecting the mechanism for boosting cooperation among the ministry, relevant agencies, and foreign representative bodies in Vietnam so as to further intensify Vietnam’s relations, especially in consular affairs, with other countries and territories.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 27 sent a letter thanking religious dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers for joining hands with the government and people in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

PM Chinh said that the COVID-19 pandemic has been seriously affecting all aspects of social life. However, he believed that Vietnam will push back the pandemic, thanks to the will and determination of the Party, State and the political system, and the consensus of the people from all walks of life.

He acknowledged efforts by religious dignitaries and followers to strictly abide by the State’s regulations on pandemic prevention and control, and uphold a sense of responsibility for the country. Many people have voluntarily joined frontliners in the fight against the pandemic.

Contributions by religious dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers are a significant factor for Vietnam to quickly recover the country’s economy and bring a happy and well-off life to the people in the coming time when the country implements a programme on economic recovery and development, and safe and flexible adaptation to, and effective control of the pandemic, PM Chinh stressed.

He affirmed that the Government always pays attention to and creates conditions for the implementation of provisions of the Constitution and laws on the right to freedom of belief and religion in Vietnam.

The PM called on religious dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers to continue to unite, join hands and consent with the government and the people in pandemic prevention and control, and socio-economic development./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang, despite COVID-19, recorded 1.05 billion USD worth of exports during January – October, the highest number to date.

The export value represented an annual increase of 14 percent and surpassed the target for 2021 by 5 percent.

Key earners included aquatic products, rice, and apparel, which reeled in 835 million USD, 183 million USD, and 12 million USD, respectively.

Also in the ten months, the province’s industrial production value was estimated at 23.23 trillion VND, meeting 81.51 percent of the yearly plan and up 5.98 percent over the same period in 2020.

The export and production growth was attributable to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade’s efforts to promote production in line with pandemic prevention and control.

Communications campaigns urging firms to boost farm produce distribution in Ho Chi Minh City via the e-commerce platform Sendo.vn and a series of trade promotion activities also contributed to the outcomes./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Assistance from the unemployment insurance fund had been delivered to nearly 5.16 million workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as of October 25, the Vietnam Social Security (VSS) reported.

Nearly 12.37 trillion VND (542.4 million USD) in cash relief has been granted to more than 4.77 million people currently participating in unemployment insurance and 383,200 others who already stopped making contributions to the fund.

The relief provision is to implement the Government’s Resolution No. 116/NQ-CP and the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 28/QD-TTg on assistance for workers and employers hit by the pandemic.

The VSS has also confirmed more than 1.94 million workers who will benefit from different support policies in the time ahead./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam has become the largest commodity trade partner of the European Union (EU) in ASEAN just one year after the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An said on October 27.

He made the remark during the Vietnam-EU Trade Forum titled “EVFTA – Leverage for Trade and Investment Cooperation in the New Normal’ jointly held by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Hanoi.

The two sides can be optimistic about a strong surge in the Vietnam-EU trade and investment cooperation development in the new normal, An affirmed.

EVFTA serves as a leverage for Vietnamese, EU firms: Forum hinh anh 2

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An (Photo: VNA)

He said that the MoIT and trade offices of Vietnam in the EU will stand side by side with businesses of the two sides to maximise opportunities offered by the EVFTA, thereby creating favourable conditions to foster trade and investment and address difficulties.

Businesses are urged to take the initiative in innovating themselves, raising capacity and adjusting business strategies to quickly adapt to the new situation.

With a strong commitment to ensuring transparency, openness and favourable conditions in the trade and investment environment, Vietnam has gained access to high-quality investment sources from the EU with projects using advanced technologies.

In particular, as traditional trade methods are hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce has become a bright spot, becoming one of the prioritised fields in the post-pandemic economic recovery strategy.

Many domestic and foreign experts voiced their optimism about prospects for economic recovery and growth of EU-Vietnam trade and investment relations in the new normal. They also pointed out challenges in the coming time.

Vietnam was advised to build scenarios suitable for adapting to the new situation in a flexible and effective manner and seize all possible resources for economic recovery and growth, as well as address bottlenecks for businesses.

EVFTA serves as a leverage for Vietnamese, EU firms: Forum hinh anh 3

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said the EVFTA is projected to bolster the export of Vietnamese fruits and farm produce to the EU. However, firms have been facing obstacles in entering the EU market due to complicated procedures.

EuroCham Chairman Alain Cany stressed that the two sides need to closely cooperate with each other in resolving current issues, saying that with various advantages, Vietnam has chances in attracting new foreign investment inflows from European investors who are seeking a stable, safe, prosperous and competitive destination./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency