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
Intergovernmental negotiations on security council reform 2021
HoREA proposes extension of repayment schedules for businesses
On March 26, HoREA sent a document to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to propose some solutions for credit and project transfers to remove difficulties in the real estate market. According to HoREA, Decree No.08/2023/ND-CP has had a positive impact on the confidence of the market and its investors. This is the legal basis to pave the way for a negotiated agreement between the companies that have issued upcoming bonds and the bondholders. The decree, dated March 5, focuses on amending, supplementing, and ceasing the effect of a number of articles in previous decrees on the private placement of corporate bonds and the trading of privately placed corporate bonds on the domestic market, along with the offering of corporate bonds on the international market. These mechanisms and policies will remove the difficulties businesses have issuing bonds that are about to come due and support bondholders, while at the same time creating favourable conditions for the transfer of … [Read more...] about HoREA proposes extension of repayment schedules for businesses
Ninth National External Information Service Awards launched
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
Ceremony marks 20th anniversary of N.A. Standing Committee’s Board for People’s Aspiration
Speaking at the event, head of the board Duong Thanh Binh said the people's aspiration work has contributed to strengthening the trust of voters and the public in the Party and State, serving as an important channel for constituents nationwide to convey their aspirations to the National Assembly (N.A.), the Government and judicial agencies, and a bridge to build fine relationships between the N.A. and voters and people. N.A. Standing Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man underlined the Party and State’s special attention to the people's aspiration work. He asked the board to work closely with the government and its organs, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front to fulfill the assigned tasks and send monthly reports on emerging, complex and prolonged issues to competent agencies. It was assigned to continue improving the quality of its reports; effectively review and monitor the settlement of complaints and denunciations when requested by the National Assembly Standing Committee. The board was … [Read more...] about Ceremony marks 20th anniversary of N.A. Standing Committee’s Board for People’s Aspiration
Vietnam considers issuing e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories
The relaxation of visa requirements is an urgent necessity for the attraction of more tourists and the recovery of Vietnam's tourism industry. The Government of Vietnam is seeking approval from the National Assembly to issue electronic visas to citizens of all countries and territories. International tourists on the way to the sandy beach in the southern province of Khanh Hoa's Cam Ranh Coastal City. Photo: Trung Vu/ The Hanoi Times Accordingly, Vietnam would extend visa validity from 30 to less than 90 days for single or multiple entries and stay from 15 to 45 days for foreign visitors from Vietnam's Visa Waiver Program countries and territories. The measure is seen as a boost for the development of Vietnam's "smokeless industry", which will enhance the competitiveness of national tourism in Southeast Asia. The country reinstated the visa waiver policy for citizens of 24 countries after three years of border closures due to Covid-19. Despite being one … [Read more...] about Vietnam considers issuing e-visas to citizens of all countries and territories
Private sector urged to enter eco-IP arena
The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is urging a project steering committee to accelerate the transition of traditional industrial parks (IPs) to an ecological model as part of a nationwide eco-IP intervention initiative. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said, “The project has contributed to the replication of the eco-IP model in Vietnam, in line with the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-2030, Vietnam’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the net-zero emissions commitment to 2050.” Private sector urged to enter eco-IP arena, illustration photo. Developing eco-IPs is inevitable as many countries are applying the carbon tax mechanism on imported goods, the deputy minister added. “Meanwhile, many tenants in IPs are manufacturers for export, and they need a green certificate to export products. Thus, relevant parties continue to spread technical and financial support to many IPs at different … [Read more...] about Private sector urged to enter eco-IP arena
Hai Phong ranks among top localities in FDI attraction
A corner of Hai Phong (Photo: haiphong.gov.vn) Hai Phong (VNA) – The northern port city of Hai Phong continued ranking among the top localities in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first quarter of 2023. As of March 22, the city had lured 385.08 million USD in FDI, equal to 78.89% of the figure in the same period last year, and 17.91% of the yearly plan. To date, industrial and economic parks in Hai Phong have attracted 468 FDI projects totaling 23.3 billion USD, and 202 domestic-invested projects with combined capital of 296.59 trillion VND (12.6 billion USD). These figures are the results of continuous efforts and drastic actions by the city’s leaders, as well as relevant sectors and units, particularly the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority (HEZA). Dialogues with investors and contractors have been held regularly by the authority to help them deal with difficulties and obstacles in production and business activities and to strengthen security and … [Read more...] about Hai Phong ranks among top localities in FDI attraction
Defense Minister Phan Van Giang holds talks with RoK counterpart
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
Vietnam, ILO sign decent work country programme for 2022 – 2026
Representatives of the ILO and the Vietnamese partners show the signed Decent Work Country Programme Vietnam 2022 - 2026 on March 28. (Photo qdnd.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Decent Work Country Programme Vietnam 2022 - 2026 was signed between representatives of the Vietnamese Government, workers, and employers and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Hanoi on March 28. The MoU on the programme was signed by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Nguyen Dinh Khang, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Pham Tan Cong, President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) Nguyen Ngoc Bao, and ILO Country Director for Vietnam Ingrid Christensen. The country programme provides a cooperation framework for the ILO and the Vietnamese partners until 2026 with a view to ensuring decent and sustainable work for all and that by 2026, Vietnamese people, especially those at … [Read more...] about Vietnam, ILO sign decent work country programme for 2022 – 2026