February khawateen digest 2019

The Department of Construction has launched an invitation for tender on public contracts in sewerage and water treatment equipment and services in 2019. Hanoi’s recent review on rental land and environmental protection at some industrial parks in Hanoi showed that just 21 among a total of 70 industrial parks, or 30%, operating in the city have installed centralized sewerage treatment plants, the Government Portal reported. Of them, nine industrial clusters have water treatment plants built with investors’ private funding and the 12 remaining were installed with public funding in accordance with the decision of the municipal People's Committee. Illustrative photo. The municipal Department of Industry and Trade has drafted a program on supporting technical infrastructure investment in the industrial parks in Hanoi during the period of 2020-2025 through collecting information on industrial parks’ infrastructure in the area. The Department of Construction has … [Read more...] about 30% of industrial parks in Hanoi have centralized wastewater treatment plants

Hanoi’s wastewater treatment site is a key and vital project as it would collect and purify sewage discharged by people in seven districts. Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung has asked contractors to speed up the construction of Yen Xa wastewater treatment site in Thanh Tri districtto help clean the once iconic To Lich river and better lives of citizens along the river. While making an inspection to the site on February 4, Chung stressed this is a key and vital project of Hanoi as it would collect and purify sewage discharged by people in seven districts, especially waste water from the city’s polluted To Lich river. It is expected to also revive the river. Hanoi Mayor Nguyen Duc Chung discusses with the Project Management Board and the contractor of Yen Xa wastewater treatment site project. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn In order to accelerate the project, which comprises a centralized sewage treatment facility, as the site stretches … [Read more...] about Hanoi mayor urges speedier construction of wastewater treatment plant

The CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered, shared his view on Vietnam's significance for US businesses and why Vietnam is potential for foreign investors. Vietnam has gone from being a frontier economy in ASEAN to a flourishing, cost-effective industrial nation. Firms and investors looking for new markets to grow, source, or manufacture their products – especially in Asia – should consider Vietnam’s long-term potential and stay updated on its opportunities. Steven Cranwell, CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered. Photo: Standard Chartered In recent years, Vietnam has benefited from the trade tensions between the US and China. With US companies adopting a ‘China plus one’ approach to their supply chains, the percentage of exports from Vietnam to the US has risen by approximately nine percent between 2018 and 2021. It is, however, important to note that Vietnam has been an alternative to China … [Read more...] about The significance of Vietnam for US businesses and why they should take notice: Standard Chartered

The press conference launching the ninth National External Information Service Awards on March 29 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Steering Committee for External Information Service, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education , the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), and relevant agencies launched the ninth National External Information Service Awards on March 29. The awards aim to honour outstanding authors, works, and publications in the field of external information service and help popularise the country’s development achievements in various areas. The Vietnam News Agency is the standing body of the ninth National External Information Service Awards. Addressing a press conference in Hanoi, Le Hai Binh , alternate member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, and Standing Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee for External Information Service, said that first … [Read more...] about Ninth National External Information Service Awards launched

The phase will be implemented in Cao Bang, Kon Tum, and Ninh Thuan provinces, aiming to empower ethnic youth, especially girls and young women, in boarding secondary schools and neighboring communities to overcome stereotypes and to voice and act on their dreams, hopes, and aspirations in education. Speaking at the event, Justine Sass, Chief of the Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, said that education can be a true source of empowerment when it addresses the gender-based barriers, stigma, and discrimination that hold learners back from fulfilling their right to education and future life, work and leadership opportunities. “We must harness education's power to unlock the potential of learners in all of their diversity and transform educational institutions to achieve just, equal, and inclusive societies,” she shared. UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Christian Manhart said that the project is expected to contribute to the … [Read more...] about UNESCO continues promoting education for ethnic girls

On March 28, an official welcoming ceremony was held for the Vietnamese Defense Minister and the delegation with 19 series of cannon shots at the RoK Defense Ministry’s headquarters. After the reception, the two defense ministers held talks. The RoK defense minister warmly welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart and military delegation, while highly appreciating the sound relations between the two countries over the past time, especially the increasingly intensive and effective defense relations. Gen. Giang thanked the host for his warm reception, expressing his pleasure to pay an official visit to the RoK as the two countries have just upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He hoped that the visit would help concretize the two countries' partnership in defense, actively contributing to the bilateral relationship. At the talks, the two ministers discussed regional issues of mutual concern. Gen. Giang noted that peace, cooperation and development are still … [Read more...] about Defense Minister Phan Van Giang holds talks with RoK counterpart

In 2008, the US investment bank Bear Stearns, on the verge of collapse, had to be rescued by J.P. Morgan. This marked the beginning of the global financial crisis of 2008, which sent the global economy into a deep recession and caused significant economic damage, including massive employment losses. Patrick Lenain, senior associate at the Council on Economic Policies Today, several banks are once again in trouble. As of March 22, four large banks were in distress. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a $212 billion US bank specialising in tech startups, collapsed when it was unable to meet deposit withdrawal requests and had to be taken over by federal regulators. A few days later, Signature Bank, another midsized US bank with assets of $110 billion, also suffered a severe liquidity crisis and was seized by federal regulators. This was followed by First Republic Bank with assets of $205 billion, which was hit by rating downgrades and a tumbling share price and had to be … [Read more...] about Developments for Vietnam to watch in midst of bank crisis

At last week’s AGM, privately-held Nam A Bank signalled its ambition to expand its footprint in the international market by establishing a wholly-owned commercial bank, or to set up a branch in a foreign country. Banks expanding share over borders, illustration photo/ Source: Nam A Bank This is part of the bank’s long-term strategy to diversify revenues, capitalise on other prospective foreign markets, and build a robust banking ecosystem. “This plan is in line with the upward trajectory of other financial institutions in a bid to support Vietnamese businesses in their international trade and investment activities,” said a bank representative. “We haven’t decided the exact location, but our target would be focused on the Asian market first.” Regarding its domestic network, Nam A Bank targets to open at least 20 new branches and transaction offices in various localities, such as Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Dak Nong, Binh Thuan, and Long An provinces. The bank’s AGM also … [Read more...] about Banks expanding share over borders

Vietnam attracted 2.7 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of this year, representing an on-year rise of 29.7 times. According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), Vietnam welcomed 895,400 foreign arrivals in March, raising the country’s total number of foreign visitors to 2.7 million. However, the figure only accounted for 60 percent of the first quarter of 2019 pre-Covid-19-pandemic. Foreign tourists in Vietnam Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy, said the number of foreign travellers to Vietnam was on the rise. The figure would continue sharply increasing as summer nears. Thuy strongly believed that Vietnam would surpass eight million foreign arrivals this year. Between January and March, Vietnam served 140,233 Chinese tourists. The stronger recovery is expected to start from April as more programmes to promote tours to Vietnam would be carried out. In the first three months of this year, 81,000 … [Read more...] about Vietnam sees surge in foreign tourists

Trade Counselor Le Phu Cuong at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia . (Photo: VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Vietnamese and Malaysian economies are of a similar size and complement each other, Trade Counselor Le Phu Cuong at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia has said. In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency correspondent based in Kuala Lumpur on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relations (March 30, 1973 - March 30, 2023), Cuong said Vietnam boasts advantages in terms of labour and development potential, while Malaysia's are in capital and deep integration into the world economy. Malaysia’s market is not too large in size but diverse in segment and , with its consumers’ characteristics generally similar to Vietnam, he said, adding that its Halal requirements are the biggest difference to note. According to the official, the two countries’ trade and investment relations have developed for a long time since Vietnam integrated into … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Malaysian economies boast similarities, complementations: trade counselor