Auckland: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited the Plan and Food Research Centre (PFR) in Auckland on March 10 as part of his official visit to New Zealand. The centre has been cooperating with farmers, scientists, food companies, exporters, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology in Vietnam in projects on raising crop output, quality and pest resistance, and promoting post-harvest and processing technologies to bring more profit to farmers and firms. Noteworthy are projects in supporting for-export passion fruit and avocado industries, dragon fruit farming and safe vegetable farming based on GAP process. PM Chinh said the advantages of Vietnam and New Zealand are supplementary, which provide a firm foundation for the two sides to promote cooperation, including in farming and food processing. He expressed hope that building on the achievements, the two sides will accelerate joint work and make breakthroughs in agricultural cooperation./. Source: Vie tnam News Agency
Vietnamese businesses join vegetarian food fair in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Vietnamese businesses joined some 300 exhibitors at the 10th Vegetarian Food Asia (VFA) that took place in China's Hong Kong from March 8-10 to promote vegetarian and green lifestyles in Asia. A wide range of Vietnamese organic products were on the showcase at the fair for the first time. According to Deputy Director of Cau Ke Tra Vinh Wax Coconut Processing Company Limited (VICOSAP) Lam Ngoc Tu, she brought to the fair 10 lines of wax coconut products, which were exported to the US, the UK, Japan, and China's Taiwan and Hong Kong, so as to seek more vegetarian consumers. Other Vietnamese products such as coffee, cashew nut, noodle and dried fruits also won the interest of Hong Kong customers. Chief Representative of Guangdong Import-Export Association in Vietnam Kelvin Chau said that he took Vietnamese firms to the fair so that they could have opportunities to access the Hong Kong market, and through which to enter the Chinese market. Organised for the first time in 2015, the VFA has become t he largest and most comprehensive showcase of vegetarian and eco-friendly living in Hong Kong. It has drawn the participation of companies from many countries worldwide, including China, China's Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. At this year event, vegetarian, vegan and plant-friendly guests had the chance to explore the latest vegetarian movements in Asia with various seminars and workshops. It also offered an opportunity for producers and businesses to promote connectivity so as to launch naturally organic products to the market to meet increasing demand of the consumers./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Vietnam attends 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Laos
Vientiane: Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan attended the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat in Luang Prabang, Laos, on March 8-9, during which he expressed Vietnam's support for Laos' priority economic cooperation initiatives in its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024. Tan said that Vietnam is committed to working closely with Laos and other ASEAN countries to fulfill set goals and plans, thus contributing to the overall success of the ASEAN 2024. He also emphasised the importance of giving priority to recovery activities and connecting economies, especially prioritising resources for new negotiation activities and negotiations to upgrade agreements within ASEAN and between the grouping and partner countries. At the meeting, participating ministers approved 14 priority economic deliverables (PEDs) put forward by Laos, with focus on three main directions of recovering and connecting economies, creating an inclusive and sustainable future, and transforming towards the digital future. They also adopted the ASEAN Services Facilitation Framework (ASFF). Delegates also exchanged other important contents for ASEAN economic cooperation such as the status of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Competition, the upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA), the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as well as initiatives on sustainability in the ASEAN Economic Community. On the sidelines of the meeting, the ministers discussed with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), during which they noted ABAC's priorities for 2024 as well as its recommendations to promote a favourable business environment in ASEAN in the coming time./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Forestry exports up 47% in Jan-Feb
Hanoi: Vietnam earned 2.68 billion USD from forestry exports in the first two months of 2024, up 47.4% year-on-year, according to the Department of Forestry under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The sector enjoyed a trade surplus of about 2.46 billion USD in the period. This year, the agriculture sector is striving for 15.2 billion USD in forestry exports, of which 14.2 billion USD will come from the export of wood and wood products, up 6% year-on-year. To that end, the industry will strictly control and manage imported wood, ensure wood is of legal origin before processing, and encourage the use of raw wood sources from domestically grown forests. In addition, it will promote trade promotion activities, develop markets in new potential regions, and organise international fairs, while encouraging wood processing and exporting enterprises to link with forest growers in production chains./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
Quang Nam taps sea, island potential for tourism development
Quang Nam: Boasting a coastline of 125 kilometres with stunning beaches such as Cua Dai, An Bang, Ha My and Tam Thanh, together with a wide range of small and large islands, the central province of Quang Nam has worked to capitalise on its resources for tourism development. An Bang beach in Hoi An has made it name on the list of Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches in Asia as voted by readers of Tripadvisor, one of the world's largest travel guidance platforms. As a having-it-all destination with powder-white sand, blue skies and stunning views, and home to a coral reef, making it a perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling, An Bang, together with Cham islet of Tam Hai island commune, has become a top drawcard in Quang Nam province. Chairman of Quang Nam Tourism Association Phan Xuan Thanh said that An Bang and many other beaches of Quang Nam have been must-visit destinations for tourists, particularly foreigners. Last year, Quang Nam hosted more than 7.5 million tourist arrivals, with more th an 2.5 million choosing sea and island packages, he said, adding this demonstrates that sea and island tourism has been a magnet to tourists. David Karl, a visitor from Australia, said he was impressed by Quang Nam's tranquil villages, world heritage sites which have been well preserved, and beautiful beaches like An Bang and Ha My. However, he expects better transportation and more diversified tourism offerings since the locality have advantages to develop underwater sports. In a meeting between travel firms and the Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, Thanh said sea and island tourism is a new project with great potential for further development. However, the province has not injected adequate investment to enterprise capital. He suggested the local authority work to remove roadblocks for the firms, with the focus given to support in tax, preferential loans, land for rent, reduction of power prices, as well as stimulus packages to make sea and island tourism an indispensable product in the chai n of green tourism products. Director of An Bang beach event festival company Le Ngoc Thuan said sea and island tourism holds the lion's share of the number of tourists to Quang Nam every year. In a bid to fully tap the local sea and island potential, the business community needs financial support from the state to develop and popularise new offerings and train its labour force. According to Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Le Tri Thanh said the province has seen protection of the ecological environment as a motive to develop green tourism and economy towards sustainable development. Admitting that local sea and island tourism products lack connectivity and harmonious investment, Thanh said that the province is working to gradually remove the bottlenecks. It has splashed out trillions of VND on coastal embankment construction, and is working closely with ministries, sectors and the French Development Agency (AFD) to implement a project on Hoi An beach erosion prevention and sustainable prote ction worth 982 billion VND (39.77 million USD). Upon completion in 2026, additional 3.5 kilometres along Hoi An beach will be safeguarded, he said, adding the project helps protect tourism resources while attracting investments that serve as a foundation for strong and sustainable sea and island tourism development./. Source: Vietnam News Agency
The Prime Minister confirmed that the budget of 138 million was used in accordance with the law at every step.
France, Prime Minister explains after being criticized for spending 138 million baht to improve IT and fire systems. It's not just about improving the lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fah building. Confirm that the budget is used legally at every step. At 12.30 on March 10, 2024 (Paris local time France which is 6 hours slower than Thailand) Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Referring to the case where there is a picture of the renovation of the lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fah building. Government House Until there was criticism that the budget was as high as 138 million baht, saying it might be distorted information. Because a picture of the lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fah building was brought and it was said that the budget was as much as 138 million baht, which in reality was not just a renovation of the lawn. But there is an IT system. security system computer system and many other systems He believes that Everything is in accordance with the correct laws and regulations. whic h this matter Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister The management team has already explained. As for the criticism that the budget was used too much? And was questioned whether the budget was within the framework or not. The Prime Minister confirmed that showing a picture of a lawn with a tractor and saying that the budget was 138 million baht may be a large amount, so other systems must be looked at. And look at the details as well, confirming that the government is trying to comply with all regulations. And take into account the efficient use of every baht of the budget. Source: Thai News Agency
Bike gang faces new charges
Bangkok, Just thinking about it is wrong. They came out to join together to race cars around Vibha, facing new charges of working together to try to race cars on the road. Heavy fines, vehicle confiscation, probation, 1 year community service. Today (March 10, 2024) at 10:00 a.m. Pol. Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, Assistant Police Commander, as head of the working group to prevent and suppress driving without regard to safety or danger. suffering of others Road racing and other related offences. The Royal Thai Police has revealed the case of arresting a group of motorcycles gathered together preparing to race on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Lak Si District, Bangkok. They have received complaints from citizens through hotlines 1599 and 191 that they found motorcycles. Gather together several cars. On Vibhavadi Rangsit Road night time Then they will compete all night. It creates a nuisance to the people who live in that area. Therefore ordered Traffic Police Division (Traffic Police Division) led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Surac het Bandit, Traffic Police Commander, Pol. Col. Jamorn Thongphan, Deputy Traffic Police Commander, Pol. Col. Parin. Thor Chanlert, Superintendent of Police Station 2, Traffic Police, and Police Lieutenant Colonel Atsadawut Kwanmuang, Deputy Superintendent of Vibhavadi Rangsit Expressway Traffic Control Center, Police Station 2, Traffic Police, carried out the area to investigate and plan. and led to arrest On March 8, 2024 at 3:00 a.m., police officers were able to arrest a group of 7 motorcycles, 1 pickup truck, along with 7 suspects, whose names were later learned: 1. Mr. Thammarat, age 27 years, 2 Mr. Apiwat, age 19 years, 3. Mr. Anusorn, age 26 years, 4. Mr. Thawin, age 20 years, 5. Mr. Thammanoon, age 23 years, 6. Mr. Kotcharat, age 21 years, and 7. Mr. Thanakorn Aged 24 years. All 7 suspects confessed that they had gathered together on Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd. To race cars on real roads before the police planned to arrest him Later, Don Mueang District Court Judged defendants 1-6 to imprisonment for 1 mon th and a fine of 6,000 baht. As for defendant 7, the owner of the pickup truck. (Sponsors racing cars on the track) 20 days in jail, a 4,000 baht fine, 1 year suspended prison sentence, 24 hours of community service, and the court "confiscates all seized motorcycles and cars." In addition, the Assistant Police Commander said that the Royal Thai Police, led by Pol. Gen. Torsak Sukwimon, Police Commander, has assigned a working group to prevent and suppress driving without consideration for safety. or the suffering of others Road racing and other related offenses by Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panpetch, Deputy Police Commander, drives work to solve the problems of the people affected by illegal driving. Regardless of safety Posting persuasions and invitations on various social media is good, and gathering on the streets is good. The public can report disaster situations at the hotline 191 or 1599 24 hours a day. Source: Thai News Agency
The Senate Human Rights Committee visits the area to listen to regional media problems.
Chiang Mai, Human Rights Commission Rights, freedoms and consumer protection, Senate Visit the Chiang Mai area Listen to the problems and perspectives of regional media and limitations in communication for the people. Human Rights Commission Rights, freedoms and consumer protection By the Subcommittee on the Rights and Freedoms of Mass Communications and public media, the Senate held a meeting to exchange and listen to opinions on problems and obstacles in media operations. From all the mass media in Chiang Mai, including radio broadcasting Television and online media in Chiang Mai province This includes representatives of MCOT Chiang Mai radio station and the Thai News Agency's Northern News Center. Mr. Niphon Naksomphob, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Rights and Freedoms of Mass Communications and Public Communications, said that he wanted to listen to the views of the media in the region. Regarding the problems, obstacles and limitations of the mass media in an era of change. In presenting informat ion in both main media groups as well as online media. In order to bring information and obstacles in the media Prepare reports and send them to relevant agencies to find solutions. Including collecting information and forwarding it to the new Senate for further use. after earlier Subcommittee on the Rights and Freedoms of Mass Communications and Public Media Visited the area to study the mission driving operations of media organizations at the MCOT Northern Office in Chiang Mai Province. which has both a radio broadcast and a news center which mainly focuses on presenting information that is beneficial to the people . Source: Thai News Agency