The Empire State Building (C) turns off its lights during Earth Hour. Landmarks around the globe were plunged into darkness for the annual Earth Hour campaign, leading a global effort to raise awareness about climate change New York's Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Sydney Opera House were plunged into darkness for the annual Earth Hour campaign, leading a global effort to raise awareness about climate change.In a twist to this year's Earth Hour, Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers was to observe from the International Space Station countries around the world turn off the lights for 60 minutes from 8:30 pm local time and post photos. From Sydney's sparkling harbor to Egypt's Tahrir Square, and huge neon billboards that normally light up New York's Times Square, thousands of cities and businesses opted to go dark across some 150 countries and territories. "Let us stand together to make of our world a sustainable source for our future as humanity on this planet," … [Read more...] about Lights go off around globe for Earth Hour DTiNews
Emirates environmental group
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/1
More Japan firms eye local consumer market More and more Japanese enterprises are looking to enter Vietnam as a consumer market rather than a manufacturing base as before, said a consulting company for Japanese investors. Speaking at a seminar held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in HCMC on Wednesday, Tetsuya Fukumori, vice chairman of Corporate Directions Co. Ltd., said more Japanese enterprises wanted to expand sales in Vietnam. Companies from both countries earlier cooperated mostly in production or production management but will join hands to promote sales in the future, Fukumori said, and this is expected to be an investment tendency to be embraced by Japanese companies here in Vietnam over the next three years. The consulting company said many of its Japanese customers sought advice to develop services and trade relations with partners in the country. They will initially target Japanese firms here and then local businesses. Increasingly large … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/1
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/3
VN targets $11 bln in FDI disbursement Vietnam will focus less on the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) registered capital, but more on FDI disbursement next year, expecting to dole out US$10-11 billion, said an official. The country sets a target of attracting $15-16 billion of FDI registered capital in 2012, with a focus placed on improving the projects' quality and efficiency, and enhancing the State's management, said Do Nhat Hoang, Head of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment at a press briefing in Hanoi on December 30. Areas for investment will also be carefully selected, with priorities to infrastructure, "green" industries that are friendly to the environment, supporting industries, and high-tech industries of highly global competitiveness. Meanwhile, limit will be in non-production areas that may increase the imports or pollution. In 2011, Vietnam attracted $14.7 billion in FDI, down 26 percent from the previous year, but … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/3
Ambassadors warmly support VietNamNet’s initiative
The support of Ambassadors is the great encouragement for VietNamNet NewspaperâÂÂs initiative of the Day of Reconciliation (September 9). They will popularize this idea out of VietnamâÂÂs borders. The US Ambassador to Vietnam, Michael Michalak, was interested in this initiative when it was introduced the first time in September 2009. Attending VietNamNetâÂÂs Reconciliation Concert on April 22, 2010, Ambassador Michalak emphasized: "After 15 years of relationships with Vietnam, American have learnt one thing that we can trust each other and build our relations together. We are moving that way and we will pursue it. Step by step, I think that everyone will realize the value of reconciliation. Anything that can strengthen that feeling will be useful. This marvelous concert, which has the presence of conductor Charles Ansbacher tonight, relieves our hearts and souls. IâÂÂm very glad to attend this concert and I hope this idea will be pursued in the future." The Italian … [Read more...] about Ambassadors warmly support VietNamNet’s initiative
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/1
VN targets $11 bln in FDI disbursement Vietnam will focus less on the amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) registered capital, but more on FDI disbursement next year, expecting to dole out US$10-11 billion, said an official. The country sets a target of attracting $15-16 billion of FDI registered capital in 2012, with a focus placed on improving the projects' quality and efficiency, and enhancing the State's management, said Do Nhat Hoang, Head of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment at a press briefing in Hanoi on December 30. Areas for investment will also be carefully selected, with priorities to infrastructure, "green" industries that are friendly to the environment, supporting industries, and high-tech industries of highly global competitiveness. Meanwhile, limit will be in non-production areas that may increase the imports or pollution. In 2011, Vietnam attracted $14.7 billion in FDI, down 26 percent from the previous year, but … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/1