Illustrative photo (Photo: Shutterstock) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Malaysia to develop an electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in Samalaju industrial park, according to the Indonesian Consul in Malaysia ’s Kuching city, Raden Sigit Witjaksono. The factory will use energy generated in a hydroelectric plant located in Bakun, Sarawak state of Malaysia. The Indonesia n diplomat said that for decades, Indonesia has cooperated with Sarawak in hydropower plants. Specifically, Indonesia's West Kalimantan province has bought electricity from hydroelectric plants located in Sarawak. In addition, the Sarawak state government has provided education support for the children of Indonesian migrant workers. Indonesian news agency Antara quoted Sigit as saying that Indonesia keeps promoting a mutually beneficial ecosystem between Indonesian migrant workers, companies and regulatory agencies of Indonesia and the state of … [Read more...] about Indonesia, Malaysia cooperate to develop EV battery factory
China asean education cooperation week
Thailand eyes concluding three FTAs next year
Auramon Supthaweethum, Director-General of the Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Trade Negotiations. (Photo: https://elevenmyanmar.com/) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand ’s Ministry of Commerce is aiming to finalise Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sri Lanka and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in the second and third quarters of 2024. As reported by the English-language daily newspaper The Nation, Auramon Supthaweethum, Director-General of the ministry’s Department of Trade Negotiations, said the three markets are significant, with a combined trade value of up to 31 billion USD annually. Accordingly, the Thailand-UAE FTA negotiations are in progress and are expected to conclude within this year following four rounds of talks. Products expected to benefit include food, textiles, clothing, leather goods, wood products, rubber, and plastics, as well as such services as transportation, finance, and business consultancy. The … [Read more...] about Thailand eyes concluding three FTAs next year
Lower Saxony wants to invest in energy transition in Vietnam
Energy is one of the key pillars in Vietnam-Germany relations over the past decades with a series of projects and programs operated by The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) – the German Development Agency. A delegation of nearly 50 German companies led by Minister-President of the German state of Lower Saxony , Stephan Weil, has expressed their interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency , the field in which the Federal Government of Germany has cooperated with Vietnam for years. Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Minister-President of the German state of Lower Saxony , Stephan Weil, in Hanoi on October 1. Photo: VGP Other fields of potential cooperation that the Lower Saxony’s government and businesses want to focus on include vocational training, skilled labor migration, tourism, digitalization, and Industry 4.0. The issues were stated by Prime Minister-President Stephan Weil at … [Read more...] about Lower Saxony wants to invest in energy transition in Vietnam
Public investment as catalyst for Vietnam’s economic recovery in 2023: ADB
Accelerated government spending is expected to boost demand in the remaining months of the year. ADB’s Principal Country Economist Nguyen Ba Hung shared his thoughts on Vietnam’s economic performance and its prospects for 2023 with The Hanoi Times. ADB’s Principal Country Economist Nguyen Ba Hung. What is the primary obstacle confronting Vietnam's economy for the remainder of the year? In the first half of 2023, Vietnam experienced a slowdown in GDP growth, with growth projected at only 3.7% compared to the positive momentum seen last year, when GDP grew 6.5% in the first half and 9.5% in the second half, resulting in an annual growth rate of 8% for the whole of 2022. One factor contributing to GDP growth in recent years has been public investment's sustained and steady growth. However, significant internal challenges have emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Vietnam's economy heavily relies on exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) … [Read more...] about Public investment as catalyst for Vietnam’s economic recovery in 2023: ADB
Logistics investors heat up the market
illustration photo/ Photo Le Toan The very first logistics centre from Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) is now being constructed in the south-central province of Quang Ngai, and will be completed and put into use by the end of this year. Being built according to Lotus standards of the Vietnam Green Building Council, the 6-hectare Sembcorp Logistics Park will boast three modern single-storey warehouse blocks. Singapore’s Sembcorp Development, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries, and its state-owned joint venture partner in Vietnam, Becamex IDC Corporation, in August also announced the addition of four new VSIPs. According to Charles Chong, director of Sembcorp in Vietnam, the country has developed strongly in recent years and will continue to be an important manufacturing country in the Asian region. “With the positive growth momentum of production activities and investment attraction, along with the government’s infrastructure upgrade plan, the … [Read more...] about Logistics investors heat up the market
SOE issues can be solved with support
How does the Commission for Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC) extend support and critical advisements to the VIMC? Le Quang Trung, deputy general director of VIMC and vice chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association The symbiotic association and support extended by CMSC to businesses, especially the VIMC, is immense and substantial. Every project we undertake, be it short-term or enduring, bears the unmistakable imprint of CMSC’s support, enabling us to overcome various challenges, notably during exceptional periods such as the recent pandemic. CMSC’s partnership has been crucial, aiding us in overcoming challenges related to capital mobilisation and ensuring the smooth implementation of projects. A notable instance is their contribution to the financial and operational restructuring project of SP-PSA, one of our crucial joint venture ports. With the indispensable support from CMSC, we were able to conduct successful negotiations with … [Read more...] about SOE issues can be solved with support
Lisa’s striptease detractors prompt mother to quit Instagram
According to South Korean web portal Nate , Brüschweiler has deleted her Instagram account without notice. She said that she and other members of Lisa’s family received hateful comments from netizens. Lisa was under heavy criticism for setting a bad example for her fans, many of whom are minors. Lisa and her mom Chitthip Brüschweiler. Photo taken from Weibo Not only Lisa and her family members but her supporters were under fire. Actress Angelababy got slammed by Chinese fans after attending the show on September 29. China Centre Television (CCTV) on Sunday deleted photos of Angelababy during a Mid-Autumn Festival Show. Some media outlets also deleted posts related to her, which fueled the allegations that she was getting blacklisted. Criticism escalated further when actress Xu Jiao commented on Lisa’s performance via Chinese social media platform Weibo on Sunday. She wrote "I only see professional women being sexualized," and many agreed with her comment. … [Read more...] about Lisa’s striptease detractors prompt mother to quit Instagram