These were the most important events chaired by Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Indonesian Ministry of Finance within the framework of the ASEAN financial and monetary cooperation in 2023, when the nation holds the ASEAN Chairmanship. With the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” for the ASEAN Year 2023, the BI and Finance Ministry of Indonesia informed some focuses of regional financial and banking cooperation, namely reconstruction, digital economy, and sustainable development. On behalf of the SBV, Dung highly valued the proposals by the BI and Finance Ministry of Indonesia to deal with urgent issues facing countries and devise long-term orientations towards sustainable growth in the region. Assessing the ASEAN banking integration outcomes, central bank and financial officials recognized efforts by the ASEAN Senior-Level Committee (SLC) on banking integration and the working committees in actively coordinating and effectively implementing cooperation initiatives. They also … [Read more...] about Vietnam joins ASEAN central bank officials at meetings in Indonesia
Can Tho city hosts Mini Thailand Week 2023
The event is organised by the Thai Ministry of Commerce’s Department of International Trade Promotion in order to boost cooperation between the two countries’ enterprises. On display are food and beverages, health and beauty products, kitchen utensils and household appliances, apparel and accessories, products for children, tourism and cuisine. Visitors to the event could enjoy Thai culinary performances and join in other activities. Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Hong said local leaders will continue promoting the enhanced strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand and between Thailand and Can Tho in particular, contributing to the two countries’ socio-economic development via the "Three Connects" strategy, including connecting supply chains, connecting basic economic sectors, especially connecting sustainable growth strategies of the two countries, which are Vietnam's National Green Growth Strategy and Thailand's Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) … [Read more...] about Can Tho city hosts Mini Thailand Week 2023
Vietnam, China’s Guangxi promote economic cooperation in new era
At the talks, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien highly valued Guangxi's position and special role in cooperation between Vietnam and China. Nguyen Hong Dien put forth proposals on facilitating goods clearance, ensuring supply chains, expanding agricultural imports from Vietnam, helping trade promotion activities, and continuing to implement cooperation contents within the framework of bilateral cooperation agreements. He also proposed the Guangxi side encourage and support businesses of the two countries to diversify their delivery of agricultural products and fruits through the two countries' border gates in order to take advantage of the existing infrastructure, reduce the pressure of goods clearance, avoid the recurrence of import and export congestion at some of the main border gates. For his part, Liu Ning emphasized Vietnam's role as Guangxi's largest trading partner over the past 24 years and shared good cooperation results between the two sides over the past time. Agricultural … [Read more...] about Vietnam, China’s Guangxi promote economic cooperation in new era
Germany ready to assist Vietnam in energy transition: official
Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, made the remark while attending a workshop in Berlin on March 31. The event, held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany and the Vietnamese Innovation Network in Europe (VINEU), discussed the enhancement of cooperation under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) framework towards net zero emissions in Vietnam by 2050. It was part of the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue Week 2023. Expressing his impression of renewable energy development in Vietnam as he saw during a visit last September, Flasbarth held that with advantages for wind and solar energy, Vietnam will become a pioneer in energy transition in Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese Government has also proved its ambitious targets about mitigating climate change and reducing the dependence on thermal power plants to prepare for a clean energy system in the future. However, the energy transition process is successful … [Read more...] about Germany ready to assist Vietnam in energy transition: official
Vietnam – Holy See relations record much progress: officials
In the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, and mutual respect, the two sides discussed the Vietnam - Holy See relations and issues related to the Vietnam Catholic Church. Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of respecting and ensuring people’s freedom of belief and religion, and that administrations at all levels have always paid attention to and created favorable conditions for activities of religions, including Catholicism. She proposed the Holy See pay attention to and guide the Catholic community of Vietnam to stay attached to and stand side by side with the State and people, contribute to the country’s development, and bring into play the fine cultural and ethical values of Catholicism, thereby helping to promote the Vietnam - Holy See ties. Wachowski noted that the Holy See always hopes that the Vietnam Catholic Church operates in line with Vietnam’s law and actively contributes to the country’s development in conformity with the Church’s teachings … [Read more...] about Vietnam – Holy See relations record much progress: officials
News highlights for April 1, 2023
Find out the latest news about Hanoi and Vietnam in a five-minute brief. 1. Central bank to lower deposit interest rate cap next week The State Bank of Vietnam announced on April 3 that it would cut interest rates on dong-denominated deposits by 0.5 percentage points to between 0.5% and 6.0%, depending on maturity, effective April 3. The overnight electronic interbank rate will also be kept at the current level of 6.0%. The central bank will also cut its refinancing rate by 50 basis points to 5.5% in a bid to spur economic growth, bucking a trend among regional peers. Earlier this month, the SBV cut several key interest rates to boost liquidity and spur growth in a surprise move amid global financial turmoil. 2. Vietnam requests Taiwan to cancel illegal live fire drills Vietnam strongly opposes Taiwan's illegal live-fire drills in the maritime regions surrounding Itu Aba, part of Vietnam's Spratly Islands, and demands that they not be repeated. On March 31, the … [Read more...] about News highlights for April 1, 2023
Vietnam-Italy Year marking 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties launched
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that over half a century, Vietnam and Italy have become more and more important partners of each other in all fields, from politics - diplomacy, trade and investment to culture, tourism, and education and training, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. Italy is currently one of Vietnam's leading economic partners in Europe, while Vietnam has become Italy's largest trading partner in ASEAN, Le Thi Thu Hang Hang added. Meanwhile, Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi affirmed that for Italy, Vietnam is an important interlocutor and an essential partner for balance and sustainable economic development in the Indo-Pacific region. She expressed her belief that the friendship and solidarity will continue forming a firm foundation for the two countries’ future. This year, a wide range of activities will be held to mark the … [Read more...] about Vietnam-Italy Year marking 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties launched
Program helps strengthen Vietnam-Australia friendship
Attending the event were more than 150 delegates from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association, the Australian Embassy, and Hanoi authorities. Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen affirmed that the capital city always attaches importance to its cooperation with Australian localities. He expressed his belief that with efforts of the two governments and peoples along with the capital city of Hanoi, the bilateral friendship and multifaceted collaboration will reap more benefit. Australian Ambassador Andrew Goldzinowski said that the anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic ties offered a good chance for both countries to look back on gained achievements and look forward toward the future. Australia was one of the first countries to set up relations with Vietnam right after the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam was signed in 1973. Over the past five … [Read more...] about Program helps strengthen Vietnam-Australia friendship
Vietnam, U.S. hold 12th Political, Security, Defense Dialogue
At the event, the two sides expressed their delight at the extensive and practical development of the two countries’ relations in the bilateral, regional and international aspects based on the principle of respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and political institutions of each other. Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that Vietnam always considers the U.S. as one of its most important partners, while Lewis reaffirmed that the U.S. consistently supports a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam. The two sides emphasised the importance of bilateral meetings, consultations and delegation exchanges for the process of building trust and mutual understanding, and promoting cooperation and intertwined interests between Vietnam and the U.S. They also affirmed that they will maintain frank, constructive and regular dialogues on controversial issues. The officials recognized the progress of bilateral cooperation in the fields of defense and security, law enforcement and … [Read more...] about Vietnam, U.S. hold 12th Political, Security, Defense Dialogue
Seminar seeks experience in overcoming UXO consequences
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said in Vietnam, nearly 20% of land area (or about 5.6 million hectares), remain contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO). Therefore, overcoming consequences of bombs and mines continues to be an urgent requirement and an indispensable part in the process of post-war recovery and reconstruction, peace building, and realization of sustainable development goals following the spirit of "No one is left behind." This is a consistent policy and stance and strong message that Vietnam has spread to the world and actively observed in the country. In the two-day event, the seminar with seven discussions focused on sharing of experience in overcoming consequences of post-war UXO among Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, the importance of effective information management, the tripartite cooperation model of UNDP/KOICA/Vietnam, technological advances and application of them to work, and regional cooperation mechanism in … [Read more...] about Seminar seeks experience in overcoming UXO consequences