A China-Vietnam-Laos freight train loaded with agricultural products at Nanning International Railway Port in Nanning, China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Photo: xinhua) Hanoi (VNA) - Trade between countries along the Mekong River and China posted steady growth last year despite COVID-19 and the sluggish global economy. Specifically, China's trade volume with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam hit 416.7 billion USD in 2022, up 5% year-on-year. The figures were disclosed at the opening ceremony of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Week 2023, which was held on March 23 in Kunming, China’s Yunnan province. Since, the mechanism was launched in 2016, it has become a landmark cooperation model in the region, and has continuously injected vitality into regional development./. VNA … [Read more...] about Trade between Mekong countries, China reaches over 416 bln USD in 2022
12 billion usd to bdt
Vietnam promotes negotiations of FTA with Mercosur
Illustrative image (Source: baodautu.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is taking measures to promote the negotiations of a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur - including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay), which is expected to be a driving force for Vietnam to tap the Latin American market. In 2022, the South American regional economic bloc posted over 12 billion USD in two-way trade with Vietnam, 9.2% higher than that of the previous year. The Southeast Asian country shipped goods worth 3.3 billion USD to Mercosur and spent 8.7 billion USD on purchasing products from the region, annual rises of 3.4% and 11.6%, respectively. Mercosur countries are strong in producing and exporting farm produce, animal feeds, industrial materials, and minerals; while Vietnam 's main exports to the bloc are electronic and telecommunication devices, apparel, and footwear. Such a complementary structure of goods without direct … [Read more...] about Vietnam promotes negotiations of FTA with Mercosur
Malaysia launches Halal Industry Master Plan 2030
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Source: malaysia kini.com) Jakarta (VNA) – Malaysia launched its Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030) on March 23, aiming to become a key player in the global halal market. Speaking at the launch, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi , who is also Chairman of the Malaysian Halal Development Council, said the plan’s theme of “Prominent, Visible and Globalised Halal Malaysia” represents the country’s target of promoting comprehensive growth and developing a robust halal industry ecosystem with more products and services to support future growth. He said one of the priorities for 2023 of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the strategic driver for the HIMP 2030, is to expand trade for which halal goods and services could play a more prominent role. The official noted via the HIMP 2030, Malaysia expects its halal industry will reach 113.2 billion USD by 2030 and contribute … [Read more...] about Malaysia launches Halal Industry Master Plan 2030
Thailand tightens fruit quality management
Illustrative image (Photo: Bangkokpost) Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai Ministry of Commerce’s Internal Trade Department (ITD) is implementing 22 measures to manage fruit supply for this year's harvest, with production estimated to grow by 3% to 6.78 million tonnes. Director-general of the department Wattanasak Sur-iam said the higher output is attributed to cooler weather late last year and early this year. The department remains concerned about the quality of fruit and held discussions with the Agriculture Department about introducing stringent measures to control the quality of exports, especially durian, he said. The ITD also wants to register at least 120,000 orchards for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards this year. Wattanasak said the 22 measures are focused on four areas, covering plans for production, domestic marketing, foreign marketing, and legal issues. The Ministry of Commerce and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry also plan to coordinate with … [Read more...] about Thailand tightens fruit quality management
Work starts on Vietnam’s biggest project in Lao province
The ground-breaking ceremony for the project on December 19 (Photo: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – Work on construction of a bauxite-alumina mining industrial complex , one of Vietnam’s largest projects in Lao, began in Dakcheung district, the southern Lao province of Sekong, on December 19. bauxite mine worth 1 billion USD has an annual capacity of 1 million tonnes. It is expected to operate for 30 years and could be extended to 50 years. Viet Phuong Group Phuong Minh Hue pledged to bring success to the project, contributing to socio-economic development in remote and disadvantaged areas of Sekong province and bilateral economic ties between the two nations, especially in the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia development triangle. VNA … [Read more...] about Work starts on Vietnam’s biggest project in Lao province
Malaysian PM calls on Saudi Arabian firms to boost investment
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Photo: The Star) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Saudi Arabian business community to invest more in Malaysia as the latter is under a stable government with clear policies. Talking to Saudi and Malaysian businesspeople on March 23, he said the new government under his leadership is committed to making it easier to do business in the country with reforms that support business and the Madani agenda. He appealed to some of the business community, soon after Ramadan, to send delegations and meet their counterparts. All their necessary support will make a lot of difference for the Muslim world and hence promote more vibrant economies, he added. The leader mentioned Malaysia’s priorities in the current period, including digital technology, food security and infrastructure. Anwar is on a visit to Saudi Arabia from March 22-24. Saudi Arabia is Malaysia's largest trade partner and the largest … [Read more...] about Malaysian PM calls on Saudi Arabian firms to boost investment
Corporate bond issuance surges in March after prolonged inactivity
Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 in Hung Yen Province. Hung Yen Urban Investment and Development Co issued two lots of bonds worth total VND7.2 trillion on March 16 with collateral of property rights arising from business cooperation contracts at Vinhomes Ocean Park 3 project. — Photo courtesy of Vinhomes The corporate bond market is showing signs of recovery after a prolonged period of inactivity with a notable increase in both the number of issuers and value of issuance. Data on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange showed as of March 24, eight companies issued bonds worth more than VND23.8 trillion (over US$1 billion), of which real estate firms dominated the market with total issued value of VND19 trillion, accounting for 80 per cent of total value. This number was a significant increase compared to the value of VND500 billion in February and VND110 billion in January. On March 16, two realty firms – Hung Yen Urban Investment and Development Co Ltd and Southern Star Urban Development and … [Read more...] about Corporate bond issuance surges in March after prolonged inactivity