Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Arsjad Rasjid (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – Southeast Asian companies are evaluating potential investments in African market s so as to support growth and seek new opportunities amidst China’s economic slowdown, said Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Arsjad Rasjid. China’s economic recession definitely impacts the Southeast Asian region, which has strong trade ties with the world’s second largest economy, he said. "What is important to see is that we are now looking at other nontraditional markets," Rasjid told Nikkei Assia, adding, "We've talked about Africa." With a population of over 1 billion, Africa is seen as filled with potential future markets by companies from the rest of the world. In late August, Indonesian President Joko Widodo made his first trip to Africa as leader of Southeast Asia's biggest economy. His tour to Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa marked a turn … [Read more...] about ASEAN businesses seek investment opportunities in Africa
China asean countries
RoK leads in food security cooperation in ASEAN
RoK and ASEAN flags (Photo: aseanvietnam.vn) Seoul (VNA) – The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has announced that the country is taking the lead in food security cooperation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ). MAFRA revealed that the country plans to supply 2,000 tonnes of rice for three ASEAN member states, including Philippines (750 tonnes), Myanmar (750 tonnes) and Laos (500 tonnes) through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) agreement. The joint rice reserve among ASEAN member states and the RoK , China and Japan aims to ensure food security and provide emergency support in a time of food shortage or natural disaster events. Each member country agrees to reserve an amount of rice in advance. It is a public reserve system that provides sales, lending, and donation in times of emergency. The RoK is doubling the amount of rice aid to strengthen food security in the ASEAN … [Read more...] about RoK leads in food security cooperation in ASEAN
ASEAN – RoK centre releases video to promote ASEAN tourism
Hanoi Opera House is given a highlight in the Vietnam video. (Photo: VNA) Seoul (VNA) – A series of videos released by the ASEAN – Korea Centre (AKC) on September 27 is expected to provide a deeper insight into the rich culture and unique architecture of Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as promote collaboration between the ASEAN bloc and the Republic of Korea (RoK). Themed “a journey to culture and architecture” the five-minute videos shed light on two cities in each nation. The respective countries' national tourism organizations recommended the architecture to be featured in the videos and architect-writer Oh Young-wook provided the commentary. The Vietnam video takes viewer to Hanoi, a city with 1,000 years of history, and Ninh Binh – dubbed as the “Ha Long Bay on land”. It spotlights a blend of European flair and traditional elements in such iconic structures as the Opera House, St.Joseph’s Cathedral, Phat Diem Cathedral and Bai Dinh Pagoda. For Cambodia, … [Read more...] about ASEAN – RoK centre releases video to promote ASEAN tourism
Vietnam leaps two places in global innovation index in 2023
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – Vietnam has leaped two places in the Global Innovation Index (GII) in 2023, ranking 46th out of 132 countries and territories, according to a GII report released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on September 27. According to the report, Vietnam has continued to show progress in converting innovation input into output performance. The country has jumped from 59th position in 2022 to 57th position in 2023 in terms of input level, while its output level was up one place to 40th position. The GII input pillars include institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication, and business sophistication. Meanwhile, the output performance are knowledge and technology outputs and creative output. Vietnamese scientists making NanoDragon satellite (Photo: VNSC) Particularly, Vietnam has maintained its second position among lower middle-income countries in the overall GII after … [Read more...] about Vietnam leaps two places in global innovation index in 2023
Conference looks for ways to boost exports of herbal products
Illustrative image (Photo: nongnghiep.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Amidst the increasing demand for raw materials in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, and Vietnam’s participation in various free trade agreements, the country’s herbal products, particularly cinnamon and star anise, are well-positioned to capitalise on the opportunity for development, heard a conference in Hanoi on September 28. Addressing the event, Vu Ba Phu, Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade stressed that with a diverse and abundant source of medicinal herbs, Vietnam boasts great potential and advantages to develop this field into an economic industry. | The cinnamon cultivation area in Vietnam stands at about 150,000 ha, accounting for 17% of the global cinnamon area. Vietnam is the third largest producer and exporter of cinnamon in the world in terms of output, after Indonesia and China. Meanwhile, very few countries have star anise – the plant … [Read more...] about Conference looks for ways to boost exports of herbal products
International packaging firms eye Vietnamese market
Over 400 exhibitors from 17 countries and territories are joining the 21st Vietnam International Printing and Packaging Industry Exhibition (VietnamPrintPack 2023), which opened in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday, in search of investment and cooperation opportunities. The participating printing and packaging enterprises come from Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Britain, and the United States. According to insiders, Vietnam faces a shortage of providers of high-quality printing and packaging services and products. VietnamPrintPack plays a key role in helping foster the printing and packaging industry in Vietnam. It has also paved the way for domestic firms to seek appropriate solutions and technologies, and for foreigners to do business in the Southeast Asian nation. The exhibition covers an area of over 20,000 square meters and features 910 booths showcasing the latest products and services in the industry. China’s Masterwork Group, which has joined the … [Read more...] about International packaging firms eye Vietnamese market
Viglacera has attended the renowned Cersaie 2023
VGC made history as the first Vietnamese firm to exhibit at Cersaie in 2022, and this year will feature alongside renowned global brands like RAK Ceramics, Kale, or Halcón Cerámicas, setting itself apart from other Asian vendors. The booth will feature an array of standout tile products under the Viglacera brand, attracting the attention of a diverse audience, including customers, business leaders, and experts from various fields within the construction industry, from around the world. VGC's participation at Cersaie 2023 goes beyond mere product display, as it signifies the company's strategy to challenge existing standards and revolutionise the construction materials sector. VGC's commitment is to bring Vietnamese-made products shoulder to shoulder with the leading manufacturers of Europe. Viglacera's products have firmly established their presence in major markets such as the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan (China), and Australia. With nearly … [Read more...] about Viglacera has attended the renowned Cersaie 2023
Singapore’s GIC among bidders vying for stake in Vietnam’s third largest grocery chain
SINGAPORE/HANOI -- Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC is among investors vying to buy up to 20 percent stake in grocer Bach Hoa Xanh from Vietnam's retail giant Mobile World Investment, in a deal that could value the grocery chain at up to $1.7 billion, two sources said. GIC declined to comment. Other bidders include companies from Thailand, the sources added, declining to be named as the matter is private. The identity of the potential buyers has not been reported previously. "The deal is nearing to the finalising stage and expected to close soon," one of the sources with knowledge of the matter said, adding that a deal could be sealed as early as the first quarter of next year if negotiations are successful. In a statement to Reuters , Mobile World said it would announce the information once the deal was concluded. "We are still in a private placement and have signed an agreement not to disclose information with interested bidders," it said. The potential deal would … [Read more...] about Singapore’s GIC among bidders vying for stake in Vietnam’s third largest grocery chain
Vietnam among the world’s principal instant noodle consumers
Data from WINA estimates that in 2022, China’s national noodle demand amounted to nearly 45 billion servings, followed by Indonesia at 14.2 billion, and Vietnam with 8.48 billion. This means each Vietnamese person consumed an average of 85 packs a year, ranking first globally. The report indicates that the instant-noodle demand among Vietnamese decreased slightly between 2021 and 2022, with the figures down by nearly 1 per cent. However, the 8.6 billion packs sold in 2021 marked an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to 2020. Vietnam is home to about 50 instant noodle producers, offering a diverse range of options and price points. Dominated by four major instant noodle makers, namely Acecook Vietnam, Masan Consumer, Uniben, and Asia Foods, the competition in Vietnam's instant noodle market is becoming fiercer. In 2022, Acecook generated revenues of over $590 million. Annually, it provides the market with more than three billion instant food products each year, making it … [Read more...] about Vietnam among the world’s principal instant noodle consumers
Hanoi, Beijing step up cooperation in various areas
At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA) Beijing (VNA) – Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung voiced proposals to boost ties between the two Parties, States and capitals in the coming time during talks with his Beijing counterpart Yin Li in the Chinese capital on September 27. He proposed continuing to follow common perceptions reached by the two Party leaders and the Vietnam-China Joint Statement, as well as the leaders’ directions in order to enhance bilateral substantive cooperation across various fields and encourage localities to increase friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. Yin Li said his visit holds significance at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 15th anniversary of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the 29th anniversary of twinning ties between Beijing and Hanoi. memoranda of understanding on cooperation in specialised fields, including personnel training, urban planning, health … [Read more...] about Hanoi, Beijing step up cooperation in various areas