An Indonesia man is walking backwards from his home in eastern Java to the capital Jakarta to raise awareness of deforestation in a country with one of the highest rates in the world. Medi Bastoni (L) on his walking journey (Photo: bta.bg) The more than 700 km (435 miles) would be arduous enough under any circumstances, but Medi Bastoni is drawing attention to his campaign by doing it walking backwards. Bastoni, 43, started on July 18 from his village on Mount Wilis, a 2,500-meter volcano in East Java province that has been affected by deforestation. He hopes to meet President Joko Widodo when he arrives in Jakarta later this month. “I hope the government will start to care about the environment .... so the young generation will care about our environment,” the father of four told Reuters TV. Indonesia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, with more than 74 million hectares of rainforest - an area nearly twice the size of Japan - … [Read more...] about Indonesian walks 700-km backwards to highlight deforestation
Việt Nam, Australia target US$10 billion in trade in 2020
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison review the guard of honour in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam and Australia today agreed to raise bilateral trade from nearly US$7.8 billion in 2018 to $10 billion next year. The agreement was reached during talks in Hà Nội between Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison, who is paying an official visit to Việt Nam from August 22-24. The two leaders said although Australia’s investment in Việt Nam was remarkable, with nearly 500 projects and combined investment capital exceeding $200 billion, the countries still have a lot of potential in this regard. They decided to build an enhanced economic engagement strategy to become top 10 trade partners and double investment. They … [Read more...] about Việt Nam, Australia target US$10 billion in trade in 2020
Australian PM visits F1 circuit project in Hanoi
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (third, right) visits the Vietnamese Formula 1 circuit project in Hanoi on August 23 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the construction site of the Vietnamese Formula 1 circuit project in Hanoi on August 23, voicing his belief that once taking place, the race will attract the world’s attention. PM Morrison, who is on an official visit from August 22 to 24, also noted that the F1 race Vietnam Grand Prix, slated for April 2020, will make Vietnam, as well as Hanoi, known on the world’s sports map. The event will attract thousands of foreign travellers and speed aficionados, which will in turn promote the development of high-end hotels and restaurants and also show the Vietnamese people’s hospitality. The success of the F1 race in Hanoi will help affirm Vietnam’s capability of organising world-class events, along with the country’s economic growth success, he said. … [Read more...] about Australian PM visits F1 circuit project in Hanoi
Việt Nam and Australia boost economic co-operation
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison (second right) with TMS Group Chairman Nguyễn Bá Luận (second, left) at a meeting in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison chaired a meeting on exchanging and promoting co-operation opportunities between Vietnamese and Australian businesses in Hà Nội on Friday. The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Association (VEAS) in Sydney Nguyễn Bá Luận along with experts and business people from both Việt Nam and Australia. Luận, who is also the Chairman of TMS Group, said Vietnamese businesses in Australia are inheriting knowledge, experience, advanced management and modern technology to develop through international-level projects which have great socio-economic significance. “We hope the … [Read more...] about Việt Nam and Australia boost economic co-operation
Thua Thien-Hue strives to develop eco-friendly tourism
Japanese tourists visit Thien Mu Pagoda in Thua Thien-Hue province (Photo: VNA) Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – The tourism sector of the central province of Thua Thien-Hue has carried out various measures to bolster sustainable and eco-friendly tourism. The province, housing the capital of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam, welcomes 3.5-4 million tourists each year, greatly contributing to the provincial socio-economic development. Competent agencies have started to hand over paper bags with the message “Hue relics say no to plastic bags” to visitors carrying plastic bags at tourist attractions. In the coming time, the province will work to halt the use of petrol engines at Dai Noi (Imperial Citadel) as sightseeing electric cars have been put into use. The provincial People’s Committee has also granted permission to extend electric car tours in the southern area of Huong river, as part of a project on the development of public passenger transport network in … [Read more...] about Thua Thien-Hue strives to develop eco-friendly tourism