Day: May 31, 2022

 Legislators on May 31 debated the draft Law on amendments and supplements to a number of articles of the Law on Intellectual Property as part of the ongoing third session of the 15th National Assembly.

According to member of the NA Standing Committee and Chairman of the NA Law Committee Hoang Thanh Tung, the Government proposed the adjustments to Clause 2 of Article 7 of the Law on Intellectual Property regarding the implementation of intellectual property rights on the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem.

Under the proposal, the dissemination and use of the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem must be in accordance with the law. Organisations and individuals exercising intellectual property rights related to the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem must not prevent or obstruct the dissemination and use of the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem.

Tung said that the NA Standing Committee found that regulations related to the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem have been stipulated in Article 13 of the 2013 Constitution. Amid the current period when Vietnam is integrating deeper into the world with more regular external affairs and international cooperation activities, the NA Standing Committee recommended that Clause 2 of Article 7 of the Law on Intellectual Property should be change as “The exercise of intellectual property rights must not infringe upon the interests of the State, the public interests, the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and individuals as well as other relevant legal regulations. Organisations and individuals exercising intellectual property rights related to the National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam must not prevent or obstruct the dissemination and use of the National Flag, National Emblem, National Anthem,” said Tung.

Meanwhile, regarding the security control over inventions before filing an application for copyright registration abroad, the NA Standing Committee suggested that the bill clarify the principle and scale of security control over the inventions and assign the Government to make details on this issue. The processing of registration applications for confidential inventions should be carried out in accordance with the Government’s regulations, Tung added.

NA deputies also discussed a number of other contents of the bill, including the restrictions of the rights of intellectual protection certificate holders of plant varieties, and legal responsibility for copyright and related rights for enterprises providing intermediary services./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 While innovation is considered as key to boosting the productivity and quality of products, due attention has not been paid to the issue by Vietnamese enterprises, experts have said.

Bui The Duy, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, said that the number of Vietnamese enterprises using such high technology as 3D printing or robotics are still limited. This is a worrisome problem in the context of international economic integration and the fourth Industrial Revolution is taking place strongly in the world.

According to experts, the revolution is gradually eliminating the advantages of spontaneous management methods and old business models.

Innovation helps enterprises increase revenues, profits, reduce costs, meet customers’ demand, attract resources and improve their reputation. However, there is no example innovative model so they should choose the right one to develop.

Nguyen Doan Ket, Deputy General Director of Rang Dong Light Sources and Vacumm Flask Joint Stock Company, agreed, saying each business must find the right solutions which are suitable to their capacity and resources.

Rang Dong has focused on investing in science and technology, joined hands with major universities and built three research centres on lighting and digital technology as well as developing business models on digital platforms to make products with Vietnamese design and trading on Vietnamese platforms while still bringing high added value, meeting quality conditions for export, he said.

Ket also said the company has faced many difficulties, including changing mindset, business model and operating mechanisms in the innovation process.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said as it is time for Vietnam to create “breakthrough” through science and technology as the country has experienced strong development stages.

To promote scientific initiatives among young people, it is necessary to prepare resources early and training from high schools, he stated.

Particularly, it is necessary for universities to connect with their alumni who have studied abroad, attracting talented people by offering favourable policies for them.

Duy said the Ministry of Science and Technology has provided investment support for projects by the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED), through which young scientists have the opportunity to develop creativity and research to be on par with regional and world levels./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup on May 31 announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Intel to create a wide range of advanced computing systems.

Under the MoU, the two sides will work to explore opportunities for 5G-enabled smart city and smart building solutions, which can be applied to Vinhomes’ Smart City projects. They will also collaborate in creating and deploying smart factory Internet of Things (IOT) solutions for VinES batteries manufacturing and VinFast electric vehicles manufacturing.

Both companies will also work together to define a shared vision of future in-vehicle computing platforms and build scalable in-vehicle computing platforms for ADAS  based on Mobileye technology and infotainment systems.

Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup said that Vingroup has always been a pioneer in bringing consumers smart products and services integrated with world-class technologies, advanced features and outstanding experiences to improve their lives.

Meanwhile, Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO said the company has the depth and breadth of software, silicon and platforms, and process with at-scale manufacturing our partners need for their next-generation innovations.

Vingroup recently adjusted its orientation and redefined three key groups of activities, namely technology and industry, trade and services, and social enterprise.

To develop the technology and industry group, it focuses on two main strategies, namely building Vingroup’s technology ecosystem and connecting global intelligence – cooperating with the world’s leading technology partners to accelerate the application of the most advanced and new technologies to Vingroup’s products and services./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 The Vietnam Farmers’ Union (VFU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on May 31 launched a 7-million-USD project to prevent, combat and respond to violence and other harmful behaviours in the 2022 – 2026 period.

The project is part of the 10th country programme for Vietnam funded by UNFPA in the 2022 – 2026 period.

As a coordinator of the project, the VFU’s Central Committee will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to deploy it in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang and Lam Dong.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Vice Chairman of VFU Nguyen Xuan Dinh thanked UNFPA for its technical support over the past years, saying he hopes the project will contribute to reducing gender-based violence against women and girls in Vietnam.

The VFU pledged to practically and effectively implement the project, towards meeting the needs and ensuring the safety of Vietnamese women and girls, and ensuring social standards and preventing harmful acts and gender stereotypes – which are the root causes of gender-based violence.

Emphasising that violence against women is one of the most common violations of human rights existing in many countries around the world, including Vietnam, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Naomi Kitahara said within the framework of its 10th country programme for Vietnam, the agency will support the VFU to come up with innovative initiatives towards digital application in order to promote change in social perception, and behaviour.

UNFPA will also assist in mobilising men and boys to engage in solving problems and building healthy and non-violent relationships, she said.

According to UNFPA, the project will support advocacy and advice on amending the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, and Gender Equality Law.

A survey supported by UNFPA in 2019 showed that nearly two in three married women (almost 63 percent) have experienced one or more forms of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence and controlling behaviours by their husbands in their lifetime. About 48 percent of victims did not tell anyone about the violence they endured, and 90.4 percent did not seek any help from public services.

The survey also reflected a higher rate of violence against women in rural areas than in urban areas./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 The fourth Vietnam Economic Forum is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City on June 5 with a focus on how to build an independent and self-reliant economy with extensive integration in the new context.

The forum will be held by the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission, the Government, and the HCM City People’s Committee.

It will serve as a platform for ministries, sectors, localities, scientists, researchers, enterprises, and representatives of some international organisations to share opinions and viewpoints which will be considered in the Party Central Committee’s drafting of socio-economic policies, Vice Chairman of the Economic Commission Nguyen Thanh Phong told a press meeting in Hanoi on May 31.

The event’s plenary session will look into the global economy and major trends in international economic cooperation, opportunities and challenges to Vietnam in the global economy, digital technology manpower, and risk governance.

Meanwhile, three panel discussions will look into how to form a stable labour supply chain after the COVID-19 pandemic; the development of capital and real estate markets; and technological reform, digital transformation, and supply chain diversification.

Phong noted this will be the first time the forum takes place in HCM City, which is the country’s economic locomotive and was also hit hardest by the pandemic last year. It will convey a message about the strong recovery and development of the metropolis and Vietnam as a whole./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 31 visited Hanoi’s care centre for children with disabilities in Chuc Son town of Chuong My district.

Congratulating the children on the International Children Day (June 1), the State leader commended their extraordinary efforts to surmount difficulties and expressed his hope that they will keep learning and making self-improvement so as to achieve better results and become good citizens in the future.

He also praised the enormous dedication by the centre’s teachers and staff members, noting that they act not only as parents of the children but also as doctors and psychologists to give the best possible care and nurture the children’s will to move forwards.

There are nearly 700,000 disabled children among more than 20 million children in Vietnam, President Phuc noted, adding the Party and State pay great attention to social security, including for children with disabilities. He affirmed child protection and education is a strategic and long-term issue, and that investing in children also means investing in the country’s future.

The President emphasised the need to continue perfecting and effectively enforcing relevant laws and policies so as to ensure children’s rights, protect children, and create a safe, healthy, and friendly living environment for children, particularly disabled, orphan, poor, and migrant children. He also called for further engagement of the private sector in child care.

On this occasion, President Phuc presented the centre with financial aid of 100 million VND (4,300 USD) and learning tools worth 200 million VND.

Since its establishment in 1978, the centre has cared for over 500 children with disabilities. It is currently home to 137 children./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 The Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) cooperated with the global digital payment company Visa to launch contactless payment services at the former’s petrol stations across the country on May 31.

This payment form optimises experience of customers who now can make it simply by tapping their cards, said Dang Tuyet Dung, Visa Country Director for Vietnam and Laos.

The solution helps ease pressure on the petrol stations’ staff, speed up the process and ensure security for users and transactions, she highlighted, adding that the partnership will bring better quality of life for Vietnamese people.

Under the partnership, Petrolimex will deploy advanced Point-of-Sale (POS) devices across its network of retail petrol stations nationwide, where consumers can pay using Visa’s contactless-enabled cards.

Petrolimex began accepting payments via Visa cards last year.

The launch of the new service forms part of the strategies to make Petrolimex a leader in digital transformation, Deputy CEO Luu Van Tuyen said, adding POS devices have been installed at all automated stations of the State-run corporation.

According to a Visa study in 2021, contactless payment is becoming increasingly prevalent with nearly 46 percent of users opting for this method. One-third of Vietnamese users said they plan to use contactless payment for future purchase of petrol./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

 A Malaysian official has underlined the need for a more resilient and flexible semiconductor supply chain for the country to navigate a course of robust and sustainable growth.

Senior Minister and International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali made the remark at a celebration of the electrical and electronics sector’s 50th anniversary held by the Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association on May 30, Malaysia’s Bernama news agency reported.

He said making semiconductor and electronics supply chain more resilient in the long term will help lower costs and make the industry more agile and efficient in the face of uncertainty and volatility.

This is imperative as the industry is experiencing a period of high growth on a global scale over the past year, with major semiconductor players making investments exceeding 550 billion USD in fabrication plants, the minister noted.

In 2021, Malaysia exported 455.7 billion RM (104.15 billion USD) worth of electrical and electronics products, up 18 percent from the previous year and representing 36.8 percent of the country’s total exports./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency