Day: June 5, 2023

Malaysia’s inflation rate is expected to remain moderate this year based on what the economic data indicates for the next few months, Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said on June 4.

Speaking to the media at Invest Fair 2023, the minister revealed that the government is optimistic that the country will be able to meet the inflation target of between 2.8-3.3%. The government will continue to focus on scaling up food production capacity at the local level and on the narrative that cooked meal prices should moderate.

He emphasised that Malaysia has seen inflation numbers come under control with 11 straight months of moderating inflation by focusing on a series of stabilisation measures. The government is expecting the downward trend will continue throughout the year.

Commenting on the country’s monetary policy, the minister noted that the overnight policy rate and monetary policy are driven by long-term data and evidence-based data available to the central bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia).

According to Rafizi, unless it begins to encroach on the social safety net or has an immediate impact on the economy that will move away from the sweet spot between sustainability and growth, then the ministry will have a discussion with the central bank to adjust these policies./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 5 for a delegation of the National Police Agency (NPA) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) led by Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun.

Lam stressed that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK has made progress, contributing to promoting bilateral relations, meeting aspirations of their people, for peace and prosperity of both nations.

He noted with pleasure outcomes of the second phase of the project on improving criminal science capacity funded by the Korean agency, saying it has helped raise criminal science capacity for the Vietnamese ministry’s officers.

To strengthen relations between the two countries as well as the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the NPA, the minister suggested the two sides continue consolidating their political trust, maintain mutual support at regional and international forums, enhance cooperation across spheres, especially economy and trade, and foster cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides should increase all-level delegation exchanges, step up cooperation in cross-border crime prevention and control, and forge collaboration between their units, he continued.

Lam also called for further coordination from the NPA in materialising the above-said project and the organisation of training courses in the RoK for Vietnamese police officers.

He emphasised the positive, stable development of cooperation in law enforcement and the fight against crime, which has brought about practical benefits to both sides.

For his part, Yoon pledged to work on promoting collaboration between the two agencies, contributing to ensuring national security and social order and safety in each country./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

An exhibition entitled “Youth with the homeland’s sea and islands" was opened in Tam Ky city of the central province of Quang Nam on June 5.

The exhibition introduces 152 documents and photos featuring the history of exercising Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel), activities to protect Vietnam's sovereignty over seas and islands in the current period, and the sentiments of youth in Quang Nam and Da Nang towards the homeland’s sea and islands.

The event aims to enhance the public’s awareness of and responsibility for protecting the country’s sovereignty over sacred seas and islands, while recalling the sacrifice of generations to guard those seas and islands, and confirming the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s determination to firmly safeguard the nation as well as its sea and island sovereignty.

According to Nguyen Hong Quang, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, the exhibition is a practical activity to raise awareness among cadres, Party members, students and people about the tradition, history, sea and island sovereignty of Vietnam while popularising the viewpoints and policies of the Party and State on seas and islands, thereby fostering patriotism and responsibility of the young generation for the Fatherland's sacred seas and islands.

Quang Nam has a coastline of over 125km, stretching over six districts, towns and cities, including Hoi An, Dien Ban, Duy Xuyen, Thang Binh, Tam Ky, and Nui Thanh.

The exhibition runs until June 10./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

As fuel prices continue to rise, promoting electric vehicles (EVs) as well as installing charging stations in the capital Vientiane of Laos is considered a solution to reducing environmental pollution in the future.

Somkham Thoummavongsa, head of Vientiane's Department of Energy and Mines, said currently 20 charging stations are available in the capital city, which plans to build more in over 50 other sites in the locality. Previously, electric buses have been put into operation to serve the travel needs of the people, he said.

Using electric vehicles not only lessens the economic burden but also contributes to reducing environmental pollution and traffic accidents as well as building a green, clean and beautiful Vientiane.

The Lao Government has set a goal for electric vehicles to make up at least 1% of the total number of vehicles in society and reach at least 30% by 2030.

To realise that goal, Laos has adopted preferential policies to prioritise the use of electric vehicles such as not restricting the import or reducing the road use fee by 30% for electric vehicles compared to those using petrol and oil of the same type./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai will focus on site clearance to pave way for the sub-project of the World Bank (WB)-funded Dynamic Cities Integrated Development Project in Yen Bai city, a local official affirmed on June 5.

At a working session with a WB delegation, Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen The Phuoc noted that the land clearance and resettlement work is expected to be completed next month.

The official also pledged to ensure safety for project workers during the flooding season, as well as for households in the project area.

The WB side spoke highly of efforts by local departments and agencies during the implementation of the project, saying it has made the best performance among the four targeted localities, which also include the central provinces of Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa, and the northern province of Hai Duong.

However, it said, limitations still remain in disbursement, asking Yen Bai to pay more attention to social order and environmental issues during the implementation of the project.

The development objective of the Dynamic Cities Integrated Development Project for Vietnam is to increase access to improved urban infrastructure services and enhance integrated urban planning and management capacity in the project cities.

The Yen Bai sub-project, which began in 2019, has a total investment capital of 63.27 million USD, of which 39.46 million USD comes from the WB, and is expected to be completed in June 2025.

Since 2000, Yen Bai has received and rolled out a total of 21 programmes and projects financed by the WB with accumulative funding of 4.67 trillion VND (198.72 million USD), of which 18 projects have been operational./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency