Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (L) and Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Laos Pany Yathotou (Source: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Laos Pany Yathotou expressed their delight at closer ties between the two legislatures during a meeting in Vientiane on June 20. Both sides spoke highly of the sharing of information and expertise between the two legislatures’ units as well as effective cooperation in their external activities, especially at regional and global parliamentary forums such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The Vice President suggested working closely together to refine legal regulations in each country as well as oversee law enforcement, supporting necessary changes to mechanisms, policies and laws to boost bilateral trade and investment. Yathotou, for her part, said amidst complicated developments in the region and the world, … [Read more...] about Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh active in Laos
More missing people reported in Indonesian vessel sinking
Victims' relatives (Source: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) – The number of missing people from a sunk vessel on Lake Toba in Indonesia two days ago climbed to 192, according to the latest report issued by the National Search and Rescue Agency on June 20. The wooden vessel, overcrowded with passengers as well as dozens of motorbikes, didn't have a manifest and disaster officials have several times raised the number of people it was carrying as family members who rushed to the lake in northern Sumatra provided information. The boat was five times over its passenger capacity of 43 and equipped with only 45 life jackets, Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi and National Search and Rescue Agency chief Muhammad Syaugi told a news conference. To date, rescuers found at least four bodies and saved 18 others. About 400 rescue personnel, including military and police officers, were deployed in the search. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency predicted that the work may last at least one week. … [Read more...] about More missing people reported in Indonesian vessel sinking
Project on agricultural modernisation proves effective: PM
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (second from left) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated results of a project on agricultural modernisation at a conference to review the implementation of the project during 2013-2017 on June 20 in Hanoi. He affirmed that the project’s products are advanced and high-quality scientific and technological achievements in agriculture which can compete with alike products of other countries, thus helping save import costs, take initiative in production, processing and preservation, and increase the economic efficiency and export value of Vietnamese farm produce. The project has also contributed to generating more jobs, boosting poverty reduction, ensuring social welfare, reducing environmental pollution, and consolidating defence in production zones across the nation, especially in mountainous, border, and ethnic-inhabited areas, he stated. Its outcomes affirm the sound cooperation model between the Defence Ministry … [Read more...] about Project on agricultural modernisation proves effective: PM
ASEM calls for joint efforts to respond to climate change
A residential area along a river in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang (Photo: VNA) Can Tho (VNA) – Policy-makers, socio-political organisations, enterprises and capital funds should play a greater role and involve broadly in the fight against climate change, heard the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference on Climate Action to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals - Ways Forward. The two-day conference wrapped up in Mekong delta Can Tho city on June 20. ASEM members agreed that climate change response should be studied and evaluated as part of the sustainable development strategy, as well as in efforts to alleviate poverty; ensure food safety, energy security and water security; and build resilient communities, thus creating new momentum for sustainable and inclusive development for all citizens. Discussing important issues in the context of climate change, they reached consensus on promoting joint actions in ASEM, particularly accelerating ASEM’s … [Read more...] about ASEM calls for joint efforts to respond to climate change
Input materials play pivotal role in food safety
Input materials play pivotal role in food safetyBy Nhan Tam Food safety and hygiene supervision should be conducted synchronously from supermarkets to traditional markets - PHOTO: NHAN TAM DANANG – Many company representatives in the food sector have said input materials play a key part in food safety and hygiene management, according to speakers at a conference held on June 19 on a pilot program supplying safe food in Danang City in the first half of 2018. The participants shared a common viewpoint on the risks of the food industry as problems might arise at any time from the transporting stage through to the processing and distribution stages. Chau Quang Anh, director of An Thanh Ltd. Company, which processes ready-to-eat meals and makes deliveries from Hue to Quang Nam Province, noted that controlling chemicals in input materials is currently the main problem. It is challenging to determine whether the input materials are safe, and food processors must inspect them … [Read more...] about Input materials play pivotal role in food safety