Circular economy

SCG’s Q2/2022 operating results show continuous revenue growth despite energy costs’ effects on profits, maintaining robust financial standing. Roongrote Rangsiyopash, president and CEO at SCG disclosed, “Despite volatile situations with crisis upon crisis such as inflation, rising interest rates, increased energy and raw material costs, and climate change, SCG continues to adapt, resulting in strong overall business and financial performance. Innovative product and service developments are in full gear, especially eco-friendly items with SCG Green Choice labels and innovations to meet consumers’ demands for safety and convenience, catering to the tourism and service sector’s recovery as borders fully open." "Moreover, strategic investments are being prioritised, resulting in the delay of new projects that are non-urgent while still going through with quick-return projects and ones that are aligned with the company’s long-term growth plans. This includes the Long Son … [Read more...] about SCG accelerating strategies to address myriad of challenges

The National OCOP program for 2021-2025 has been approved by the Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh. Vietnam targets reaching at least 10,000 products being rated by the national One Commune One Product program (OCOP) with three stars or more by 2025. A local worker at Anh Huong facility in Bat Trang pottery village, Gia Lam District. Photo: Duy Khanh The specific goal was set out in the National OCOP program for 2021-2025, which was approved by the Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh on August 2. The program aims to bolster rural economic development towards sustainability. Among the ranked products, there are about 400-500  rated as five stars during the period. The country will prioritize upgrading at least 50% of OCOP products as well as promoting others in association with building brands and developing rural tourism services. According to the program, the country strives for at least 40% of OCOP entities to be cooperatives and … [Read more...] about Vietnam targets 10,000 OCOP products by 2025

Addressing a plenary session of the 10th National Environment Conference in Hanoi which drew 600 delegates, Thanh pointed to great challenges in the current environmental protection, including severe environmental pollution in many places and the degradation of biodiversity. He asked the environment sector to continue diversifying resources for environmental protection activities, while paying more attention to the environmental factor in the value structure of goods and services, strengthening the law enforcement in environmental activities, and increasing the use of mechanisms, tools and State management measures for environmental protection. He also asked ministries, sectors and localities to, right after the conference, promptly build and implement specific action programs and plans, while multiplying good models in the field to make positive changes and obvious outcomes in the work. According to Minister of Environment Tran Hong Ha, the conference, which is held every five … [Read more...] about Environment sector asked to harmonize economic development-environmental protection relations

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (C) at the ASEAN-RoK Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: VNA) Phnom Penh (VNA) – Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son joined his ASEAN counterparts in meetings with the US, India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the EU, and Russia on August 4 within the framework of the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-55) and related meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia . The sides spent a great deal of time reviewed cooperation progress, agreed on future orientations, and exchanged views on regional and international situations. ASEAN proposes its partners maximise advantages brought by strategic and comprehensive partnerships, cooperate with the bloc in community building, and strive for common peace, stability and prosperity. . The countries suggested many extensive and diverse cooperation measures to assist ASEAN in building its community, accelerating recovery, and moving towards sustainable development. These measures covered … [Read more...] about AMM-55: ASEAN, partners review cooperation, agree on future orientations

At the meeting between FM Son and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi, both officials agreed to exchange information, experience in issues of mutual concern, including maintenance of peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. Towards the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, the two FMs reached consensus on organizing high-level visits, enhancing coordination, and improving efficiency of dialogue mechanisms, including the 12th meeting of Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee. They were also unanimous in implementing ODA programs for Vietnam, further cooperate and share viewpoints in the framework of the United Nations, ASEAN, Mekong, contributing to upholding regional peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development. Meanwhile, meeting with Vietnamese FM Son, foreign ministers of China, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan highly appreciated Vietnam’s role in the region and confirmed their desire to expand cooperation with the country. They proposed … [Read more...] about Foreign minister meets with foreign counterparts on AMM-55 sidelines

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh (standing) addresses the conference (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh on August 4 asked the environment sector to make breakthrough changes in mindset and enhance public awareness of sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle, thus harmonising the relationship between economic development and environmental protection. Addressing a plenary session of the 10th National Environment Conference in Hanoi which drew 600 delegates, Thanh pointed to great challenges in the current environmental protection, including severe environmental pollution in many places and the degradation of biodiversity . He asked the environment sector to continue diversifying resources for environmental protection activities, while paying more attention to the environmental factor in the value structure of goods and services, strengthening the law enforcement in environmental activities, and increasing the use of mechanisms, tools … [Read more...] about Environment sector asked to harmonise economic development-environmental protection relations

Decarbonisation Sustainability is now on the main agenda of countries, also be a social license for companies. Multinational real estate firms such as Frasers Property are in a privileged position to play a major role in reducing their carbon footprint. In line with group-wide sustainability goals, Frasers Property Vietnam is making significant progress towards its main sustainability goals. These are: being a net-zero carbon corporation by 2050; being climate-resilient and establishing adaptation and mitigation plans by 2024; green-certifying 80 per cent of its owned and asset-managed properties by 2024; financing the majority of its sustainable asset portfolios with green, sustainable financing by 2024; and training all of its employees on sustainability by 2021. Frasers Property recognises that emerging technologies and solutions will be critical to help the company accelerate its sustainability goals, so it is an ongoing journey to keep track of these possibilities and … [Read more...] about Frasers property towards 4Ds perspective

“Thanks to the effective pandemic response and guided by the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, we have emerged safer, stronger, and more resilient as a community,” he said at the event, held by the ASEAN Secretariat at its headquarters in Jakarta to mark ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary. ASEAN trade volumes have returned to pre-pandemic levels and the association’s economy is forecast to grow by 4.9% this year and 5.2% next year. “The entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) earlier this year demonstrates ASEAN’s pivotal role in contributing to regional peace and growth, bettering the life of our people, and providing opportunities for all.” According to the Secretary General, in spite of these achievements, ASEAN must remain vigilant against the ever present risks to its recovery, including disruptions to the supply of key commodities, rising costs in food and logistics, and the economic slowdown in … [Read more...] about 55th ASEAN Day Celebration solemnly held

This activity not only supports Vung Tau to gear itself toward becoming a green city and responds to the call from the prime minister for one billion trees to be planted nationwide from 2021 to 2025, but also demonstrates the environmental, social, and governance strategy (ESG) that the company is pursuing – in which reaching net-zero is one of the major commitments. The impact of climate change and natural disasters has become increasingly complex, affecting all aspects of socioeconomic life and the environment and threatening the country’s sustainable development. Therefore, planting and protecting forests and developing trees for environmental protection is of vital significance. Since 2021, Vietnam has been rolling out a project to plant one billion trees by 2025. On a local scale, many cities and provinces have responded to the project by encouraging people to plant trees at home or through community programmes. For Vung Tau, this project not only increases the … [Read more...] about SCG Chemicals and Long Son Petrochemicals join Vung Tau to plant trees

Nguyen Chi Cong, deputy general director of Vicostone JSC (middle), receives the award from Forbes Vietnam magazine. — Photo courtesy of Vicostone Vicostone JSC (HNX: VCS) has been recognised as one of the top 50 best-listed companies in 2022 by Forbes Vietnam magazine for the eighth consecutive year. The company - a member of Phenikaa Group, has also been named as one of the 50 best sustainable companies in the Nhip Cau Dau Tu magazine’s first-ever ranking. With Viet Nam and its local enterprises enduring adversities and challenges amid COVID-19, Vicostone has made remarkable achievements with its corporate governance, high adaptability and flexibility in the face of market changes. In 2021, Vicostone reported its total revenue and profit after tax gained respective growth of 24 per cent and 25 per cent year-on-year to more than VND7.07 trillion and VND1.77 trillion. Despite the pandemic, the company’s exports to key international markets last year increased by a record … [Read more...] about Vicostone named among top listed sustainable companies in 2022