In 2008, the US investment bank Bear Stearns, on the verge of collapse, had to be rescued by J.P. Morgan. This marked the beginning of the global financial crisis of 2008, which sent the global economy into a deep recession and caused significant economic damage, including massive employment losses. Patrick Lenain, senior associate at the Council on Economic Policies Today, several banks are once again in trouble. As of March 22, four large banks were in distress. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a $212 billion US bank specialising in tech startups, collapsed when it was unable to meet deposit withdrawal requests and had to be taken over by federal regulators. A few days later, Signature Bank, another midsized US bank with assets of $110 billion, also suffered a severe liquidity crisis and was seized by federal regulators. This was followed by First Republic Bank with assets of $205 billion, which was hit by rating downgrades and a tumbling share price and had to be … [Read more...] about Developments for Vietnam to watch in midst of bank crisis
Agriculture new product development
Hanoi promotes high-quality organic farming models
It is evident that organic production methods yield better economic returns and enhance the quality, competitiveness, and value of agricultural products. Hanoi has successfully implemented several organic farming models that align with modern agricultural development trends and have brought significant economic benefits to farmers. Organic rice cultivation model in Thanh Van Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi. Photos: Anh Ngoc/The Hanoi Times In 2022, the Hanoi Agricultural Extension Center launched an organic rice production model on 20 hectares of land in Thanh Van Commune and Kim Bai Town, Thanh Oai District, according to which the production process involves the use of organic fertilizers and biological products instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the rice area. A yield of 5,730 kg per hectare using organic production has been achieved with this approach. This model is expected to be replicated in other communities in the district this … [Read more...] about Hanoi promotes high-quality organic farming models
Top legislator commends ministry’s performance in digital transformation
NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue lauded achievements recorded by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), especially those in digital transformation, at a working session with the ministry in Hanoi on March 29. Digital transformation will also be discussed at one of the three sessions of the ninth Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Forum of Young Parliamentarians, scheduled for September in Hanoi, which will see the participation of MIC, Hue said. The top legislator urged the ministry to play a more active role in preparing contents of the forum, and step up the information work before, during and after the event. He also asked MIC to work together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology to organise exhibitions within the framework of the forum, including one displaying products under the “One Commune, … [Read more...] about Top legislator commends ministry’s performance in digital transformation
Project launched in Hau Giang to improve adaptation to climate change
The launch ceremony was co-hosted by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Korea International Cooperation Agency in Vietnam (KOICA Vietnam) and the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Merry Year International (MYI) funding agencies. Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Truong Canh Tuyen said the project aims to improve the material and spiritual lives of households vulnerable to climate change, especially poor families living off agriculture, contributing to improving climate change adaptation in the community for sustainable ecosystem conservation. MYI Secretary General Kim Choo-in said MYI will work with the department and the Can Tho University’s Faculty of Rural Development to set up a climate risk assessment system, build more surface water salinity monitoring stations, and utilize information and communication technology to improve remote management capabilities. By 2025, five more surface water salinity monitoring stations and a … [Read more...] about Project launched in Hau Giang to improve adaptation to climate change
Vietnamese banks urged to embrace green financing
What is the role of banks in green growth? Banks will have a crucial role in driving green growth in Vietnam. One of the main roles will be enabling project financing. Billions of dollars worth of investments will flow into the renewable energy sector over the next few years. Banks will help facilitate that flow. This is critical moving forward. Over the past five years, Vietnam has issued $220–230 million of green bonds. On a cumulative basis, three other countries, namely Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, have issued over $40 billion of green bonds in the same period. The issuance of those bonds is done by banks. What we've observed in these countries is the setup of a clear regulatory framework that provides the ability to issue those bonds on a larger scale. This has not been at the top of the list of priorities for banks in Vietnam, which are focusing on other essential things. What can the Vietnamese banking sector do to accelerate green growth? I think it … [Read more...] about Vietnamese banks urged to embrace green financing
Vietnamese, Malaysian economies boast similarities, complementations: trade counselor
Trade Counselor Le Phu Cuong at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia . (Photo: VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Vietnamese and Malaysian economies are of a similar size and complement each other, Trade Counselor Le Phu Cuong at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia has said. In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent based in Kuala Lumpur on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations (March 30, 1973 - March 30, 2023), Cuong said Vietnam boasts advantages in terms of labour and development potential, while Malaysia's are in capital and deep integration into the world economy. Malaysia’s market is not too large in size but diverse in segment and , with its consumers’ characteristics generally similar to Vietnam, he said, adding that its Halal requirements are the biggest difference to note. According to the official, the two countries’ trade and investment relations have developed for a long time since Vietnam integrated into … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Malaysian economies boast similarities, complementations: trade counselor
Prime Minister hosts leader of Yunnan provincial Party Committee
The talk between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his guest focused on measures to tap the potential and strengths of both sides and further promote bilateral cooperation, especially between Vietnamese localities and Yunnan province in the near future. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the need to continue concretizing the common view of Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping on taking the Vietnam - China relations into a new development phase with higher political trust, more practical and effective cooperation and a stronger friendship foundation. He wished that the two countries’ ministries, agencies and localities would maintain regular exchanges, effectively make use of existing cooperation, and actively promote friendly exchanges between mass organizations in border areas to raise mutual understanding and trust. The Prime Minister also wanted to expand mutually-beneficial cooperation … [Read more...] about Prime Minister hosts leader of Yunnan provincial Party Committee
30% of industrial parks in Hanoi have centralized wastewater treatment plants
The Department of Construction has launched an invitation for tender on public contracts in sewerage and water treatment equipment and services in 2019. Hanoi’s recent review on rental land and environmental protection at some industrial parks in Hanoi showed that just 21 among a total of 70 industrial parks, or 30%, operating in the city have installed centralized sewerage treatment plants, the Government Portal reported. Of them, nine industrial clusters have water treatment plants built with investors’ private funding and the 12 remaining were installed with public funding in accordance with the decision of the municipal People's Committee. Illustrative photo. The municipal Department of Industry and Trade has drafted a program on supporting technical infrastructure investment in the industrial parks in Hanoi during the period of 2020-2025 through collecting information on industrial parks’ infrastructure in the area. The Department of Construction has … [Read more...] about 30% of industrial parks in Hanoi have centralized wastewater treatment plants
Positive real estate signs march ahead
The market in new urban areas is set to become more active Photo: Le Toan March has seen a flurry of activity in welcoming quality real estate products in Vietnam. Singaporean group CapitaLand Development, saw all of [email protected] West Lake booked up after being introduced to the market on March 19. The Elysian project developed by Gamuda Land is also reportedly being well observed by buyers due to the prestige of the developer, the good location, and high quality of the project. Domestic groups are also joining the rush. Nam Long Investment JSC said that the business is implementing a series of plans in 2023, in which priority is being given to ventures in large urban areas such as Waterpoint, Mizuki Park, Nam Long Can Tho, Nam Long Dai Phuoc, Akari City, and Izumi City. Meanwhile, Hung Thinh Land introduced the 9X An Suong project in the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. In the southern province of Binh Duong, Phu Dong Group is about to open for sale an apartment project … [Read more...] about Positive real estate signs march ahead
Private sector urged to enter eco-IP arena
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is urging a project steering committee to accelerate the transition of traditional industrial parks (IPs) to an ecological model as part of a nationwide eco-IP intervention initiative. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said, “The project has contributed to the replication of the eco-IP model in Vietnam, in line with the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030, Vietnam’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the net-zero emissions commitment to 2050.” Private sector urged to enter eco-IP arena, illustration photo. Developing eco-IPs is inevitable as many countries are applying the carbon tax mechanism on imported goods, the deputy minister added. “Meanwhile, many tenants in IPs are manufacturers for export, and they need a green certificate to export products. Thus, relevant parties continue to spread technical and financial support to many IPs at different … [Read more...] about Private sector urged to enter eco-IP arena