In the context of growing dissatisfaction with the inequality produced by globalisation, officials commit to free trade that ensures equal opportunities for citizens and businesses to benefit from and contribute to regional growth. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp APEC-member economies agreed to continue enhancing regional cooperation to achieve the Bogor Goals of freer and open trade by 2020 in the Asia-Pacific region, an official said at a press conference held on Wednesday in HCM City. The press conference was held to conclude the third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum held in the city from August 18-30. Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, the APEC 2017 SOM chair, said: “In the context of concerns about the unequal distribution of the benefits of globalisation and trade liberalisation, APEC members have affirmed … [Read more...] about APEC members aim for free, open trade
Viet Nam News
Donations sought for students in central Vietnam
The New York-based Institute for Vietnamese Culture and Education (IVCE) has called for donations to support poor students in rural villages of Quang Ngai and Lam Dong provinces for the new school-year. Copies of the Pattie De La Conchinchine, an 1827 map printed in the six-volume World Atlas (Atlas universel) by Belgium cartographer Phillippe Vandermaelen (1795-1869), set to be auctioned to raise funds for students in Quang Ngai and Lam Dong. President of the Institute, Tran Thang told Viet Nam News that they aim to raise VNĐ200 million (US$8,800) to support 200 students in the two provinces. He said the institute will present pens from former US President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden. The American-Vietnamese man also said the institute will auction copies of the ancient map of Hoang Sa (Paracels), in the 1827-published maps of Phillipe Vandermaelen. Thang said … [Read more...] about Donations sought for students in central Vietnam
Ha Noi celebrates Hung Yen longan
Representatives of Hung Yen Province, supermarkets and wholesale markets in Ha Noi sign a consumption agreement on longan. — VNS Photo Phuong Thao Longan lovers rejoice: the delicious fruit from Hung Yen province has its very own week for the first time ever. A group including Ha Noi supermarkets and area government departments launched Hưng Yên longan week yesterday. It will run through August 31. The week was jointly organised by Central Group Viet Nam, Big C Viet Nam and Hung Yen Department of Industry and Trade, with the aim of expanding longan trade and reaching a large number of consumers. “The event is an occasion for Central Group Viet Nam and Big C Viet Nam to make a commitment of contributing to the prosperity of Viet Nam, as well as improving the country’s quality of life,” deputy director of Big C Supermarket Nguyen Thai Dung told Viet Nam News. In celebration of Hung Yen … [Read more...] about Ha Noi celebrates Hung Yen longan
Da Nang to host Investment Forum next month
As it prepares to host the 2017 APEC Summit, the central city is hoping a business convention in September will help it bolster its already-strong record of attracting foreign and domestic investment. A view of the Co Co River in Da Nang city. The central city has been calling for investment in infrastructure, health, hi-tech industries, tourism and hi-tech agriculture. The city will host a business forum, Invest Da Nang Forum, for more than 600 diplomats, business people, representatives of ministries, and organisations from Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) member countries. As a prelude to the 2017 APEC Summit November 5-11, it is expected to be the largest such event in the city’s history. After several years of high-profile development projects, including high-tech centers, a new road, and a new airport terminal, the Forum is expected to give Da Nang further momentum. Director of the Da Nang … [Read more...] about Da Nang to host Investment Forum next month
Central city to host Invest Da Nang Forum
A view of the Co Co River in Da Nang city. The central city has been calling for investment in infrastructure, health, hi-tech industries, tourism and hi-tech agriculture. — VNS Photo Le Phuoc Chin As it prepares to host the 2017 APEC Summit, the central city is hoping a business convention in September will help it bolster its already-strong record of attracting foreign and domestic investment. The city will host a business forum, Invest Da Nang Forum, for more than 600 diplomats, business people, representatives of ministries, and organisations from Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) member countries. As a prelude to the 2017 APEC Summit November 5-11, it is expected to be the largest such event in the city’s history. After several years of high-profile development projects, including high-tech centers, a new road, and a new airport terminal, the Forum is expected to give Da Nang further … [Read more...] about Central city to host Invest Da Nang Forum
Funding major challenge in remote areas: experts
VietNamNet Bridge – Lack of funding for investment and development is a major challenge for remote areas in the Asia-Pacific, posing a threat to quality of life and sustainable economic growth in the region, experts said on Thursday at a meeting in HCM City. A worker installs an electric power meter for ethnic Van Kieu minorities in Cu Vo Village, Huong Hoa District in the central province of Quảng Trị. — Photo: VNA/VNS Representatives from the academic sector and officials from 21 APEC economies met at a high-level policy dialogue on bridging the gap in economic development in remote areas in the APEC Region. Speaking at the meeting, Valery Sorokin, APEC Senior Official from Russia, said: “Currently, the development of remote areas is one of the most pressing issues both for global and regional … [Read more...] about Funding major challenge in remote areas: experts
APEC looks at responsible use of resources for food production
APEC officials and leaders of agricultural businesses in the region met on Thursday to discuss responsible use of resources that will ensure long-term food production and decent living standards for everyone. APEC authorities and Agriculture CEOs on Thursday discussed responsible use of resources to enable long-term food production and ensure decent living standards for all stakeholders. They also discussed the roles of the public and private sectors in this process. Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, hailed the private sector for "actively participating in doing research and promoting science and technology application in production, and efficiently using natural and human resources to ensure productivity to meet consumption demands." The business community’s participation has facilitated the work of authorities in mobilising various social resources, including qualified personnel and … [Read more...] about APEC looks at responsible use of resources for food production
Testing centre proposed to tackle Ngọc Linh ginseng
In traditional markets in Nam Trà My district, prized and valuable Ngoc Linh ginseng abounds. What eager customers don’t know is that the herb they buy might not be the real thing. A Ngọc Linh ginseng root is harvested from a mountainous farm in Nam Trà My district in Quảng Nam Province. A testing centre in the district could protect the nationally recognised brand of the Ngọc Linh ginseng. - VNS Photo Văn Thọ In early 2017, Ngọc Linh ginseng, grown both in Quảng Nam Province and the central highland province of Kon Tum, was named a National Brand. But it’s easy to mix in herbs from other parts of the country without customers having any clue what they’re buying. To combat the fake Ngoc Linh (Panax vietnamensis, or Vietnamese ginseng), the central city has asked the … [Read more...] about Testing centre proposed to tackle Ngọc Linh ginseng
APEC officials debate freer trade
Delegates at APEC’s Committee of Industry and Trade (CIT) meeting in HCM City. — VNS Photo Thu Ngan APEC’s Committee of Industry and Trade (CIT) on Friday continued its two-day meeting in HCM City. Marie Sherylyn D Aquia, chair of the CTI, told Viet Nam News: “We continue to have discussions so we can have some very good deliverables for the November meeting. So we had a discussion on free trade facilitation in the Asia-Pacific. We also had discussions on trade facilitation.” “APEC is very supportive of the WTO, so we are trying to have economies implement their commitment under the trade facilitation agreement. We had discussions on digital trade and also services -- which is a very important issue they are discussing in the CTI -- because services are an important component of our economies.” At the meeting, the CTI sub-committees and groups, including the sub-committees … [Read more...] about APEC officials debate freer trade
Luc Nam finds a fruitful niche
The villagers planted custard apples in their gardens because they liked the fruit, but over the last 30 years or so, it has found even greater favour as an economic staple. Custard apples are packed before being delivered to customers. The custard apple is among several fruits that have found a niche in the northern province of Bac Giang, which has emerged as one of the largest fruit-growing areas in the nation. Different districts in the province has become well-known in Viet Nam and beyond for their lychees, longans, pineapples and custard apples. The custard apple, or na in Vietnamese, has become a specialty of the mountainous district of Luc Nam, and local authorities have been encouraging its cultivation with several supporting policies. The district grows the fruit on 1,700ha, of which 700ha follow the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standard. The custard apples are planted mainly in the communes … [Read more...] about Luc Nam finds a fruitful niche