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
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E.C. pledges support for Vietnam in developing sustainable fisheries
E.C. Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius made the remarks at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan in Brussels on September 18. The E.C. representative also said the E.C. wants to assist the Southeast Asian nation in becoming a model of sustainable fisheries development and anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the world. In the meeting, Hoan told Sinkevičius that Vietnam saw the yellow card of the E.C. not only as a challenge but also an opportunity for the local fisheries sector to switch from a small-scale, tropical, multi-sector, multi-species industry to a responsible and sustainable one. A comprehensive plan with specific goals and solutions has been developed and implemented across all levels, especially in coastal localities, with an active participation of authorities, organizations, fishing communities, associations, and seafood businesses. So far, with … [Read more...] about E.C. pledges support for Vietnam in developing sustainable fisheries
Prime Minister calls on U.S. semiconductor firms to invest more in Vietnam
The event, part of his trip to attend the high-level week of the 78th United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities in the U.S., was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and President and CEO of the U.S.’s Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) John Neuffer. The U.S. businesspeople spoke highly of the potential of the semiconductor industry in Vietnam, which boasts high-quality human resources and increasingly improved capacity of local enterprises and training establishments. They held that the two countries’ cooperation potential in this industry is substantial and highly meaningful for bilateral relations in the new period. Participants discussed investment opportunities in Vietnam and proposed cooperation measures for developing a semiconductor ecosystem in the country, with the U.S. being a strategic partner of leading importance. In the long term, they said, U.S. firms can consider the possibility of building chip factories in Vietnam. PM … [Read more...] about Prime Minister calls on U.S. semiconductor firms to invest more in Vietnam
Huawei unit ships Chinese-made surveillance chips in fresh comeback sign
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
Chip giant Synopsys to help Vietnam develop semiconductor industry
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
Electricity prices must reflect production costs for green transition
Speaking at the 2023 Vietnam Economic Forum on September 19, Thanh said, “To achieve a green economic transition and boost renewable energy, electricity prices must fully reflect production costs.” According to Thanh, there has been an influx of new energy sources, many of which are costlier than the current average electricity price. As a rough estimate, if the cost of renewable energy stands between 5-7 US cents per kWh, with the addition of transmission costs, the retail price should rise to 10-12 US cents per kWh. Currently, the average retail price hovers around 8.1 US cents per kWh. This suggests the need for an upward revision, taking the new production costs into consideration. "Naturally, the idea of raising electricity prices will receive pushback. However, without a clear roadmap for such price hikes, transitioning to renewable energy becomes unfeasible," Thanh said, adding, "Energy pricing needs to be more reflective of economic and societal costs. Such measures could … [Read more...] about Electricity prices must reflect production costs for green transition
Myriad of incentives made in order to tempt office tenants
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
Green-certified office buildings on the rise
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
Australian presence apparent in quality and quantity
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
Vietnam, Bangladesh enjoy strong ties over 50 years
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue will visit Bangladesh from September 21 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Since Vietnam and Bangladesh set up their diplomatic relations on February 2, 1973, the two sides have enjoyed close ties with strong political trust, which lays a firm foundation for them to promote partnership across all fields. Over the past 50 years, the two sides have stood by stood and support each other during national construction, defence and economic development in each country. Along with maintaining regular high-level visits and meetings, the two sides have agreed to work closely to build a long-term vision for bilateral relations, increase visits at high and all levels, strengthen meetings of existing cooperation mechanisms, and consider the resumption and upgrading of the Joint Committee on economic, culture, science and technology cooperation in the time to come. They have concurred to strengthen cooperation in defence-security, economy, trade, … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Bangladesh enjoy strong ties over 50 years