Ethiopian prime minister meles zenawi

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Vietnam pledges to further enhance cooperation with international organisations and partners, especially countries within the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Mekong-Lancang cooperation mechanism, to achieve sustainable cross-border water development goals, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has said. Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha meets President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon (Photo: VNA) Within the framework of the event, Deputy PM Ha met with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and suggested both nations consider boosting cooperation in climate change adaptation and water resource management in the coming time. Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha and UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem (Photo: VNA) In a meeting with Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Natalia Kanem, Ha suggested the fund offer continued support to build and launch social social welfare policies … [Read more...] about Vietnam commits to cross-border water development goals: Deputy PM

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Photo: The Star) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called on Saudi Arabian business community to invest more in Malaysia as the latter is under a stable government with clear policies. Talking to Saudi and Malaysian businesspeople on March 23, he said the new government under his leadership is committed to making it easier to do business in the country with reforms that support business and the Madani agenda. He appealed to some of the business community, soon after Ramadan, to send delegations and meet their counterparts. All their necessary support will make a lot of difference for the Muslim world and hence promote more vibrant economies, he added. The leader mentioned Malaysia’s priorities in the current period, including digital technology, food security and infrastructure. Anwar is on a visit to Saudi Arabia from March 22-24. Saudi Arabia is Malaysia's largest trade partner and the largest … [Read more...] about Malaysian PM calls on Saudi Arabian firms to boost investment

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Source: malaysia kini.com) Jakarta (VNA) – Malaysia launched its Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030) on March 23, aiming to become a key player in the global halal market. Speaking at the launch, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi , who is also Chairman of the Malaysian Halal Development Council, said the plan’s theme of “Prominent, Visible and Globalised Halal Malaysia” represents the country’s target of promoting comprehensive growth and developing a robust halal industry ecosystem with more products and services to support future growth. He said one of the priorities for 2023 of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the strategic driver for the HIMP 2030, is to expand trade for which halal goods and services could play a more prominent role. The official noted via the HIMP 2030, Malaysia expects its halal industry will reach 113.2 billion USD by 2030 and contribute … [Read more...] about Malaysia launches Halal Industry Master Plan 2030

Australian tourist Melissa had planned to fly her family to Vietnam from Bali on December 21 last year. So, she applied for e-visas 10 days in advance. After completing the application, the official Vietnam Immigration Department website stated that "your e-visas will be processed within three working days." A week later, Melissa's application was approved, but the applications for her husband and two children were refused. They were asked to submit new portrait photos. Melissa's family then sent new photos and postponed their travel plans until December 24. But by their new travel date they had yet to receive a response from the immigration department. They decided to still go to the airport on the day of their tickets hoping to get to Vietnam. But the family was refused entry without visas. "The response time is too long. I sent the photos back long ago and today (March 2023, three months since the application) we still haven’t received a reply," she said. Melissa's family … [Read more...] about Travelers struggle with Vietnam’s e-visa procedures

The National Assembly approved the 2023 budget of VND712 trillion ($30 billion), a significant increase from more than VND130 trillion ($5.5 billion) in 2022. The effective performance of public investment should be considered as a top political task for all levels and sectors in order to ensure a strong push for the socio-economic recovery of the country. The construction of Ring road No.2 section Vinh Tuy - Nga Tu Vong in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the view in Directive No. 08 on missions and tasks to promote public investment and economic development in 2023. This year, the Government set a target to disburse at least 95% of the public funds allocated for this year, which is more than VND676 trillion (US$28.47 billion). For the current year, the National Assembly has approved a budget of nearly VND712 trillion (US$30 billion), a significant increase of more than VND130 trillion (US$5.5 billion) over 2022 and VND250 … [Read more...] about Effective public investment as a top political mission: PM

According to the General Statistics Office, in March the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 3.4-3.5% from the same period last year. In the first quarter prices are expected to rise by 4.2-4.3% year-on-year, with the prices of construction materials jumping by 7.2% and foodstuffs by 4.5%. According to the ministry, the pressure will continue in April and the second quarter in the face of the global uncertainty since domestic prices of many essential goods depend heavily on international prices. At a meeting with the Steering Committee on Price Management chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on March 24, the ministry put forth three scenarios for inflation this year ranging from 3.9% to 4.8%. But it favored the one that envisages prices to rise at the current rate of 0.52% a month in the remaining nine months of this year. Khai said ministries and other agencies should take feasible measures to keep inflation below 4.5%. The head of the General Statistics … [Read more...] about Inflation likely to be 3.9-4.8% this year: finance ministry