Greener trade and investment is crucial to tackling climate change in Asia and the Pacific and will require governments in the region to work together more closely, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). While trade and investment have fueled remarkable economic growth in Asia in recent decades, it has also led to large increases in carbon dioxide emissions in the region—which is more vulnerable to the effects of climate change than any other. Reversing this trend will require measures such as promoting trade in environmental goods and services, nurturing green businesses, developing carbon pricing mechanisms, and strengthening regional cooperation through trade and investment agreements, according to the Asian Economic Integration Report (AEIR) 2023, released by ADB today. “Asia and the Pacific’s remarkable growth has lifted millions of people out of poverty, but this has come at an environmental cost,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park. “The region now … [Read more...] about Sustainable trade and investment key to Asia and Pacific’s green future
Green waste solutions
PM Chinh’s Singapore visit to pave way for digital technology, green transition cooperation: expert
Illustrative image (Source: vneconomy.vn) Singapore (VNA) – The upcoming visit to Singapore by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to open up important orientations for the bilateral ties, especially in digital technology and green transition, an expert has said. PM Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam will pay an official visit to Singapore from February 8 to 10. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Associate Professor Vu Minh Khuong from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy said the visit holds great significance. It takes place in the context of the two countries getting out of the COVID-19 pandemic with the hope for stronger growth, he explained, noting that their cooperation opportunities abound. The world is experiencing complex changes, and this prompts the two countries to conduct more regular and in-depth exchanges to reach common perceptions in order to sail through the challenges and tighten their … [Read more...] about PM Chinh’s Singapore visit to pave way for digital technology, green transition cooperation: expert
Managed security provides efficiency, solutions for IT talent gap for businesses
Businesses in Southeast Asia region outsource security functions to managed security service providers mainly to achieve efficiency in delivering security solutions, and address the shortage of IT employees. — Photo courtesy of Kaspersky The managed security service provider (MSSP) market in Southeast Asia is expected to enjoy steady growth in the coming years due to the region’s collective push towards countrywide digital transformation initiatives, according to experts. A managed security service provider provides outsourced monitoring and management of security devices and systems. Southeast Asia remains the fastest growing digital economy in the Asia Pacific region. Governments here have been taking bold steps to support local digitalisation efforts and to also beef up the country’s data protection and cybersecurity capabilities, said Kaspersky general manager for Southeast Asia Yeo Siang Tiong. “As local businesses here embrace digital transformation, it is parallel to … [Read more...] about Managed security provides efficiency, solutions for IT talent gap for businesses
Prime Minister asks north-central, central coastal regions to create development breakthroughs
The conference touched upon the implementation of the Government’s action plan to materialize the Politburo’s Resolution No.26-NQ/TW dated November 3, 2022 on orientations for socio-economic development and national defense and security in the two regions by 2030 with a vision towards 2045. It was also intended to promote investment in the regions with the theme of “Linkage - Breakthroughs from maritime economy - Rapid, sustainable development.” The regions hold strategic positions and roles of special significance in terms of economy, especially maritime economy, politics, culture, social affairs, environment, external relations, national defense and security, as well as sea and island sovereignty, the Prime Minister pointed out. Notably, they are home to five cultural and natural heritage sites, and six intangible cultural heritage elements recognized by UNESCO, he said. The leader, however, expressed his concern that such unique potential and competitive advantages have yet to … [Read more...] about Prime Minister asks north-central, central coastal regions to create development breakthroughs
Viet Nam wrestles with labour productivity issue when heading to innovation-based development
Vo Tri Thanh *Vo Tri Thanh Viet Nam achieved and exceeded 14 out of 15 targets assigned by the National Assembly for 2022 with many impressive numbers including GDP growth, export turnover and the number of newly-established and re-opened businesses. Only labour productivity was under expectations. Viet Nam’s labour productivity was expected to increase by between 4.7 per cent and 5.2 per cent on average in 2022, higher than the average growth rate of 4.7 per cent in 2021 but behind the target of 5.6 per cent set for the whole of 2022. On January 10 this year, the Government issued Resolution No 06/NQ-CP on the development of a modern, efficient, sustainable and integrated labour market serving quick socio-economic recovery, setting the average labour productivity target for 2023 at more than 6.5 per cent. Labour productivity is an important economic indicator that is closely linked to economic growth, competitiveness and living standards within an economy. According to … [Read more...] about Viet Nam wrestles with labour productivity issue when heading to innovation-based development
Hanoi eyes 7% GRDP growth in 2023
Hanoi aims to maintain macroeconomic stability and control inflation while promoting new growth drivers and enhancing its economic resilience. Hanoi has set a target of 7% year-on-year gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growth by 2023 as part of its action plan for socio-economic development this year. Production at Sunhouse Group in Ngoc Liep Industrial Park, Quoc Oai District. Photo: Thanh Hai This plan includes 22 objectives, such as a GRDP per capita of VND150 million (US$6,400), export growth of 6%, an inflation rate below 4.5%, and a 30% reduction in poverty. The global situation is expected to remain challenging in 2023, and Hanoi aims to maintain macroeconomic stability and control inflation while promoting new growth drivers and enhancing its economic resilience. The plan also emphasized the development of cultural and education fields, disease control, and improving people’s material and spiritual well-being, as well as promoting digital … [Read more...] about Hanoi eyes 7% GRDP growth in 2023
Public awareness program broadened to battle illegal fishing
These communication programs need to be effective to curb IUU fishing, especially since the European Commission (EC) issued a “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood in 2017. Last year, the provincial People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau issued a warning radio message to keep fishermen in line. Accordingly, when a fishing vessel goes out of monitoring signal range for over six hours, the ship owner will receive a message instructing the vessel owner to handle the situation. If a fishing vessel loses the signal near a border area, the vessel owner's family will receive a notice from the province’s Fisheries Sub-Department. Commune officials have joined supervising and supporting fishermen and their families to avoid IUU fishing. Nguyen Cong Vinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, said that it is difficult to identify foreign waters due to insufficient patrols, large areas and a lack of demarcations for boundaries. Vinh said that … [Read more...] about Public awareness program broadened to battle illegal fishing
Vietnamese delivery app on the brink of turning profitable
Nguyen Hoang Trung, CEO of one of only two delivery startups in Vietnam, told VnExpress that Loship suffers "very little" loss. Last year its revenues increased by 500% thanks to business optimization with 250,000 locations and more than five million customers. It expects to turn profitable this year. Losing money is the norm in the food delivery and ride-hailing industry. As of 2021, Grab Vietnam had chalked up cumulative losses of VND4.365 trillion (US$186 million). Gojek is also VND4 trillion in the red. Both incur huge selling expenses running ino trillions of dong. Nguyen Hoang Trung, CEO of Loship. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Nhu This year the industry faces pressure from rising fuel prices. Trung said all other apps are also affected by Regarding the increase in gasoline price, this but "honestly not too much". When the Russia-Ukraine war took place, it was a nightmare in the beginning. But so far, the gas price has not changed too much and it’s … [Read more...] about Vietnamese delivery app on the brink of turning profitable
Responsible and sustainable direction giving wings to Vietnamese tourism development
Responsible and Sustainable direction giving wings to Vietnamese tourism development The survey results also indicate that up to 57 per cent of respondents said that they have had a different thought about tourism is done, especially because it is related to the local economy, community, culture, and environment. Responsible and sustainable tourism is becoming more important, and the needs and preferences of tourists is also changing. Instead of noisy and prosperous tourist destinations, many people are looking for peaceful countryside and experiences of discovery, close to nature and good for health, in accordance with the projects on development of national parks and protected areas in Vietnam. Among the sustainable tourism models often mentioned in recent years, models that focus on exploiting simple and healthy natural experiences such as agritourism, farmstay, or glamping are special models to attract the attention of both tourists and investors. As a model of farm … [Read more...] about Responsible and sustainable direction giving wings to Vietnamese tourism development
Varying factors to determine the fate of real estate
According to chairman of the Vietnam Real Estate Brokers Association Nguyen Van Dinh, Vietnam’s real estate market is not repeating the crisis cycle which occurred in 2012. Varying factors to determine the fate of real estate, photo baodautu.vn “Currently, urban development is high and infrastructure investment is taking place strongly, along with the rocketing increase demand for housing. So the demand for investment in real estate is rather high. These are the factors that create a great motivation for the market’s ability to recover,” Dinh told VIR. Banking and finance expert Can Van Luc added that the market will be revived by the end of the year. “When banks have new credit room, real estate will see more transactions from homebuyers. Real demand is expected to be a bright spot during the year,” Luc said at a forum on forecasting the real estate market organised by the Vietnam Real Estate Association in Hanoi on January 3. Do Thu Hang, senior director of … [Read more...] about Varying factors to determine the fate of real estate