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A road in Jakarta during the time of social distancing to curb COVID-19 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly has said foreign workers involved in the national strategic projects starting July 21 are not allowed to enter the country, as the government has expanded restrictions to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases. Foreign workers who previously came as part of a national strategic project, or for reasons of family union, can no longer enter Indonesia, Laoly noted. Foreigners allowed to enter Indonesian territory are holders of diplomatic visas or residence permits, medical and humanitarian workers, or transportation workers who carry goods. They are permitted to enter Indonesia with the recommendation of the relevant ministry or institution, he added. Indonesia is facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with the entry of the more contagious Delta variant. As of July 21, the country had recorded 2,983,830 cases, …

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The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has proposed total investment of 240 trillion VND (10.4 billion USD) for the expansion of the railway network from now until 2030, to be sourced by the State budget and other legal sources. The railway sector has set a target of raising its market share to 0.27 percent in cargo transportation and 4.4 percent in passenger transportation by 2030. (Photo: VNA) The ministry has submitted a draft master plan on railway development until 2030, with a vision to 2050, to the Prime Minister for approval, which aims to raise the sector's market share to 0.27 percent in cargo transportation and 4.4 percent in passenger transportation by 2030, Tuoi Tre (Youth) reported. Source: VNA …

[Read more...] about Railway sector needs $10.4 bln to expand network in next decade

Japan's government on Friday proposed states of emergency through Aug. 31 in three prefectures near Olympic host Tokyo and the western prefecture of Osaka, as COVID-19 cases spike to records, overshadowing the Summer Games. Existing states of emergency for Tokyo - its fourth since the pandemic began - and southern Okinawa island should also be extended to Aug. 31, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is spearheading Japan's pandemic response, told a panel of experts in announcing the proposed expansion. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to formally announce the move later on Friday after the experts approved it. Japan has avoided a devastating COVID-19 outbreak, but is now struggling to contain the highly transmissible Delta variant, with daily cases nationwide topping 10,000 for the first time on Thursday, media reported. Japan has imposed a series of "state of emergency" declarations, but the orders are mostly voluntary, unlike other countries which impose …

[Read more...] about Japan to expand state of emergency as COVID-19 shadows Olympics

The Citadel is a central heritage of Hue city Phan Thien Dinh, Secretary of Hue City Party Committee, said that the adjustment of the administrative boundaries of Hue will turn the city into a unique heritage city. The central task is to retain the cultural and heritage values of the city, as stressed by the Politburo's Resolution No.54-NQ/TW dated December 2019 on building Thua Thien-Hue to 2030, with a vision toward 2045. “The expansion will provide ample area for Hue city to develop industries, especially high-tech agriculture, to convert plant varieties and foster the economic strengths of each region. Our marine resources will also help Hue to promote tourism and establish new industries that could create jobs. Besides, doubling the population would help turn the city into a regional trading hub," said Dinh. Now, urban areas expansion will unfold a new development axis from West to East, bringing the sea closer to Hue city, helping to change the face of the city, …

[Read more...] about Hue to expand scope to restore heritage sites and reinforce development

The RoK poured US$2.05 billion into Vietnam in the first half of 2021 RoK investment at US$2.05 billion in first half According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam attracted US$15.27 billion worth of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first half of 2021. This includes US$2.05 billion from the RoK, accounting for 13.4 percent of FDI pledges to Vietnam. Other leading investors include Japan and Singapore. During the reviewed period, Japanese and Singaporean investors focused on new FDI projects in Vietnam, while RoK pledges were made to existing projects. Specifically, US$750 million was added to the LG Display Vietnam Hai Phong’s project. The additional amount brought the investment capital of the entire project to US$3.25 billion in total, making it the foreign-invested project with the highest value in the port city. LG Electronics is also considering building a new research and development (R&D) center in Vietnam. In addition to LG Electronics, …

[Read more...] about RoK becomes largest foreign investor in Vietnam

In implementing the 08-CTr/TU Program of the Hanoi Party Committee on “Promoting administrative reform and enhancing the responsibility and quality of service of officials and civil servants and officials”, the City always determines one of the key tasks is to constantly improve the public service. In order to improve the quality of public service delivery, Hanoi People’s Committee has carried out the project “One-stop-shop mechanism trial of public service delivery in SOEs  and city’s agencies”, making Hanoi the first locality in the country to develop and implement this model. Two piloted entities are Hanoi Clean Water Company No. 2 and Hanoi Employment Service Center providing  two essential services of clean water provision and unemployment support. After more than a year piloting the model in the 2 entities, the public services bettered off. The services are more accessible to the people; the rates of timely processing, internal control and external supervision …

[Read more...] about Hanoi’s effort in promulgating public online services

The country’s leading air caterer, which supplies inflight meals to Vietnam Airlines and many other local and foreign carriers, lost VND43.6 billion in the first half, according to its financial statements. Its revenues in the second quarter were VND32.4 billion, almost unchanged from the same period last year, while costs rose by nearly VND7 billion to VND48 billion. The company expects to serve some five million meals this year, earn revenues of VND211 billion and make a loss of around VND79 billion. Due to the pandemic, it served a mere 4.6 million meals last year, down 42.5 percent from 2019, and saw revenues fall nearly 60 percent to VND275.2 billion. To survive the pandemic, it has recently developed new sales channels targeting non-airline customers. It has signed up distributors and agents to sell its breads, cakes and convenience foods to retail stores and restaurants. It also sells milk tea to some retail stores in Hanoi. It targets increasing the ration of …

[Read more...] about Vietnam’s leading air caterer suffers losses for 5th straight quarter

As Vietnam develops a quality cold storage system to successfully implement the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the opportunity for multinational corporations to join the logistical effort might open its doors. VNVC was the first company in Vietnam to build super-cold storage for incoming COVID-19 vaccines. VIR Photo: Le Toan A source from the Ministry of Health (MoH) told VIR that some multinational corporations (MNCs) have sent documents to the ministry, proposing to provide cold chain, transportation, and distribution services for COVID-19 vaccines. To prepare for the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Vietnam has so far focused on the development of cold storage, thus prompting an opportunity to provide an extensive network of shipping, storage, communication, and healthcare services to achieve the last mile of the journey. As the largest vaccine and cold chain pharmaceutical distributor in Asia (excluding China and Japan), Zuellig Pharma in …

[Read more...] about Country prepares for efficient jab rollout

State Bank of Vietnam is drafting a decree on non-cash payments which will replace Decree 110/2014. One of the expected policies of the decree is on payment agents, or banking agents. The new decree will allow commercial banks to authorize third parties contracted by the banks to carry out some kinds of transactions with clients, such as account opening, cash hand-in/withdrawal and money transfer, and serve as collection/payment agencies. Banking agents have been allowed to operate in many countries and they have succeeded with different operation models. In Vietnam, three banking agent models at MBBank, PGBank and Vietcombank operate on a trial basis and have shown initial positive results. The decree compilation agency believes that banking agents will increase access to financial services regardless of living conditions and geographical conditions. Commercial banks applaud the new policy, hoping that it will help them make a breakthrough in expanding the banking network …

[Read more...] about Banking agents: caution will not create breakthrough

On the 69th Anniversary of Egypt’s National Day  (23rd July Revolution 1952) Egyptian Ambassador to Việt Nam Mahmoud Hassan Nayel writes to Việt Nam News On July 23rd, Egypt commemorates the Revolution of 1952, celebrating its 69th anniversary this year. The revolution, which became the key event that shaped modern political history in Egypt, significantly influenced other countries in different parts of the world. Notably those who were struggling to achieve their independence and take a stand against colonialist and imperialist domination. The first Egyptian republic was established to soon assume a leading role among developing nations. This manifested into Egypt becoming one of the central founding nations of important international movements and regional organisations, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), today’s African Union (AU). A few years earlier, the revolutionary leader and late President of Vietnam Hồ Chí Minh visited …

[Read more...] about Egypt sees more co-operation opportunities with Việt Nam