Up to now, JEFTA has created the largest free trade area in the world, with a total population of 639 million and a 30% share of the global gross domestic product (GDP). Under the agreement, Japan will remove tariffs on 94% of its imports from the EU, mainly agro-fishery products. The EU will also lift import duties on 99% of Japanese goods. Remarkably, the EU will not impose tariffs on key Japanese commodities, including automobiles and televisions, after eight and six years from when the JEFTA takes effect. The two sides will exert efforts to accelerate the parliaments’ ratification of the JEFTA so that such a historic deal can come into force in late March 2019, coinciding with the projected time for the UK leaving the EU. When the JEFTA was signed on July 17, in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described it as evidence that affirmed the superiority of free trade versus protectionism. President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, also stated that the JEFTA is a … [Read more...] about JEFTA signing: A strong message against protectionism
Soc Trang ethnic minority groups praised for contributing to local development
In particular, she praised the local patriarchs for acting as a bridge to connect the local authorities with ethnic minority groups, contributing to ensuring social and political order. She also expressed her hope that the local patriarchs would be pioneers in preserving and promoting the cultural identity of ethnic minority groups in Soc Trang, while actively participating in religious activities in the locality. According to Deputy Secretary of Soc Trang provincial Party Committee, Lam Van Man, the province has more than 630,000 followers of various regions, accounting for over 50% of the total province population. Despite multiple religions, ethnic minority people always unite and support each other, Man noted. *On the same day, the Vice President, who is also head of the National Fund for Vietnamese Children (NFVC), presented NFVC gifts to needy children in PhungChau commune, Chuong My district in Hanoi, on the occasion of the new academic year. * On the afternoon of August 17, … [Read more...] about Soc Trang ethnic minority groups praised for contributing to local development
Deputy PM acknowledges service of contributors from Ca Mau
The government official made the remarks at a meeting with a delegation of national contributors from Ca Mau province at the Government Office on August 17. Deputy PM Dam expressed his pleasure in receiving the local Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, war invalids and former youth volunteers, while valuing the efforts of the Ca Mau authorities for caring for national contributors in the locality. He also asked the local authorities to continue to pay greater attention to and support families of national contributors to encourage them to overcome difficulties in order to make more contributions to the locality. The Deputy PM expressed his belief that the national contributors from Ca Mau would promote the revolutionary tradition and be examples for younger generations to follow. He affirmed that the Party and State always show gratitude to and create favourable conditions for national contributors to have a better life. The southern province of Ca Mau has more than 107,000 revolutionary … [Read more...] about Deputy PM acknowledges service of contributors from Ca Mau
Chinese plane pulled from mud at Philippine airport
The plane was stuck for more than a day. Around 165 international and local flights were cancelled on Friday and Saturday at the Philippine capital's main airport after the plane's bumpy landing, said airport media officer Connie Bungag. The Xiamen Airlines aircraft landed on its second attempt before skidding onto the grass, ripping off its left engine and blocking the runway late Thursday evening. The 157 passengers and eight crew aboard were able to disembark without suffering any major injuries. Moving the plane was complicated by heavy rains that softened the ground, making it difficult to install the two cranes needed to lift the aircraft, officials said. By noon on Saturday, flights had resumed their normal schedule, but some passengers were not impressed by the speed of the recovery operation. "At last," tweeted one disgruntled observer. "That's a record 36 hours." Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio said investigators had recovered the plane's … [Read more...] about Chinese plane pulled from mud at Philippine airport
Italy buries bridge collapse dead amid outrage
Italy was preparing an official day of mourning Saturday to commemorate the dozens of people killed in Genoa's bridge disaster with some outraged relatives of victims set to shun the official ceremonies. The Morandi viaduct dates from the 1960s and has been riddled with structural problems The populist government has blamed the operator of the viaduct for Tuesday's collapse that killed at least 38 people in the northern Italian city and threatened to strip the firm of its contracts. Authorities have planned a state funeral service on Saturday at a hall in Genoa, coinciding with a day of mourning. Relatives who gathered at the hall on Friday embraced and prayed over lines of coffins, many adorned with flowers and photographs of the dead. But according to La Stampa newspaper, the families of 17 victims have refused to take part, while a further seven have yet to decide whether they will attend. "It is the state who has provoked this; let them not show their faces, the … [Read more...] about Italy buries bridge collapse dead amid outrage