Awaiting customs clearance

A new U.N. treaty to protect the world's oceans is expected to be signed by dozens of countries on Wednesday, another step in the efforts to reverse the damage done to fragile marine environments by overfishing and other human activities. The global pact to conserve biodiversity on the high seas was finally agreed in March and formally adopted by the United Nations in June. It is seen as a crucial tool to meet a target agreed last year to protect 30% of the earth's land and sea by 2030, known as "30 by 30". At least 60 countries are expected to sign the agreement at the annual United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. However, it still needs to be ratified on a national level before it goes into effect. Mads Christensen, interim executive director of Greenpeace International, described the signings as a "powerful signal" and help maintain momentum to meet the "30 by 30" target. "But this signing is a purely symbolic moment," he said. "Now politicians must bring the treaty … [Read more...] about Dozens of nations to sign U.N. ocean treaty but implementation still awaits

The shipments to surveillance camera manufacturers from the company's HiSilicon chip design unit started this year, according to one of the sources, and a third source familiar with the industry supply chain. One of the sources briefed on the unit said at least some of the customers were Chinese. Huawei also unveiled new smartphones in recent weeks that use advanced chips, which analysts say are domestically made. The developments indicate the Chinese tech giant is overcoming Washington's export controls, which since 2019 have barred it from obtaining components and technology from U.S. firms without approval. "These surveillance chips are relatively easy to manufacture compared to smartphone processors," said the source familiar with the surveillance camera industry's supply chain, adding that HiSilicon's return would shake up the market. A key factor is that the company appears to have worked around U.S. restrictions on chip design software. Huawei in March announced it had … [Read more...] about Huawei unit ships Chinese-made surveillance chips in fresh comeback sign

The signing took place on Sept. 18 (U.S. time) at the headquarters of Synopsys in San Francisco, California, under the witness of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his working trip. The memorandum states that Synopsys will support the Department of Information Technology and Communications Industry in creating a plan to establish a semiconductor research center. Synopsys’ technology is set to be used as samples and prototypes for semiconductor production. Nguyen Thien Nghia, deputy head of the department, said that the partnership with Synopsys allows Vietnamese engineers to be trained by one of the best chip designers in the world. Robert Li, head of sales and customer success group serving Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and India, said that his company is committed to helping Vietnam expand human resources in designing and manufacturing semiconductors. The company also signed a memorandum with the National Innovation Center under the Ministry of Planning and Investment to … [Read more...] about Chip giant Synopsys to help Vietnam develop semiconductor industry

Myriad of incentives made in order to tempt office tenants, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com Hoai Nam, founder of media startup 4-Star, based in Ho Chi Minh City with less than 10 employees, last month received a notice of incentives for services such as extra meeting room hours, and more printing and photocopying credits at his co-company’s working space in District 4. Each month, Nam pays VND3 million ($125) per person excluding taxes and fees for his work location in District 4. The rate was reduced by 25 per cent two years ago. “With the same space, it cost $333 per person in District 1, and I could not afford it. Everyone is cutting costs as it is such a difficult time,” Nam said. In addition to reducing rates, Nam said her landlord was improving facilities and service incentives, so that tenants could extend their contract for a longer term. For example, more greenery is being arranged between desks, and free parking is now offered. Knight Frank Vietnam in … [Read more...] about Myriad of incentives made in order to tempt office tenants

Giants lead green packaging future, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com About 450 businesses from more than 30 countries and territories will gather for the 16th edition of ProPak in Ho Chi Minh City in November to establish a panorama of equipment and new technology in future food processing and packaging. The exhibition will offer a dynamic business platform that is shaping the future of the processing and packaging industries, particularly in an industry closely impacting the environment like packaging. Food packaging currently accounts for 30-50 per cent of the total packaging industry space, according to statistics from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, leading to a strong symbiotic relationship between the two fields of food and packaging. According to German data provider Statista, the packaging sector has been growing on-year with an average rate of 15-20 per cent, in parallel with the average increase of about 10 per cent of the food and beverages market over … [Read more...] about Giants lead green packaging future

Green-certified office buildings on the rise, Photo: Shutterstock Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam’s head office in Hanoi was the latest to be awarded LEED Gold certification at the beginning of September, demonstrating the bank’s commitment to sustainability and delivering the most environmentally conscious design. The bank has fulfilled the standards set by the LEED Green Building rating system of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The verification includes a range of factors including energy efficiency, human health and wellbeing, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, sustainable and regenerative material cycles, and active community engagement. Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam), said that certification reflected the bank’s shared values and commitment to crafting spaces that excel in functionality while minimising ecological footprint. “Standard Chartered commits to continuing to drive sustainable economic growth, embrace responsible … [Read more...] about Green-certified office buildings on the rise

At the 2023 Australian Investment Forum in Ho Chi Minh City last week, deputy director Vu Van Chung of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment noted that Vietnamese businesses are now well-equipped to venture into major economies, no longer limiting their focus solely to countries of similar economic stature. One-on-one meetings with representatives from Australian states and territories were held within the Forum. Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam “Traditionally, we’ve collaborated with nations matching our development level, management capabilities, and potential,” Chung said. “However, in the past five years, investments from Vietnamese firms have witnessed unprecedented growth in both quality and quantity.” With its burgeoning economic development, Vietnam offers myriad collaboration and international integration opportunities. “Currently, we have approximately 850,000 enterprises, with ambitions to expand this figure … [Read more...] about Australian presence apparent in quality and quantity

At a seminar on protecting bank accounts from increasing online fraud risks held in HCM City on September 19. (Photo: VGP) Hanoi (VNA) - It is expected that biometric authentication such as fingerprint , iris , or facial recognition will be mandatory for money transfers exceeding the minimum level, possibly starting from 10 million VND (410.93 USD), said Deputy Head of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s Payment Department Le Anh Dung at a September 19 seminar on protecting bank accounts from increasing online fraud risks. biometric authentication , ensuring a balance between customer experience and fraud prevention. Illustrative photo (Source: tienphong.vn) Nguyen Tran Nam, Managing Director at the Asia Commercial Bank (ACB)’s Digital Bank Division, said fraudulent money transfer transactions usually do not occur on customers’ own devices. One of the latest tricks is to persuade them to install apps that allow hackers to interfere with the operating system, … [Read more...] about Transferring 10 million VND may require biometric authentication

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – Vietnam’s fertiliser import volume reached the highest in more than two years in August, according to the General Department of Customs, while prices fell over the previous year. In August, Vietnam imported more than 472,283 tonnes of fertiliser worth 159 million USD, up 54% over July in volume and 85% in value. This was the highest import volume since July 2021. The fertiliser prices reached 338 USD a tonne last month, up 19% on-month, but down 26% year-on-year. Ending August, fertiliser imports rose 13% to 2.5 million tonnes, but the import value fell 19% year-on-year to 833 million USD. During the period, the average price of imported fertiliser was estimated at 347 USD per tonne, a 25% decrease from last year. China is the country's biggest fertiliser provider so far this year, accounting for roughly half of all imported fertiliser with more than 1.2 million tonnes, valued at 375 million USD, up 15% on-year in … [Read more...] about Fertiliser imports reach two-year high in August