Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam International Medical and Pharmaceutical Exhibition ( Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2019 ) will return in Hanoi in its 26th edition from May 8-11. At a press conference held in Hanoi on May 2, Head of the Ministry of Health’s Department of Communications, Emulation and Reward Nguyen Dinh Anh said that the event, held by the Vietnam Medical Products Import-Export JSC in collaboration with the Vietnam Advertisement and Fair Exhibition JSC, will draw the participation of 450 companies from Belgium, China, the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the US, and Vietnam, among others. On the display at 550 booths will be pharmaceutical products, food supplements, pharmaceutical processing, manufacturing and packaging equipment, lab equipment, and healthcare services. Besides, various events will be held within the framework of the exhibition, including a national scientific conference on preventive medicine … [Read more...] about Vietnam Medi-Pharm expo to return Hanoi on May 8-11
International tourism trade fair
Airline cancels Vietnamese tourists’ tickets to South Korea’s Jeju Island
Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, 34 and her friends had their tickets from Singapore to Jeju Island canceled on August 9 because they did not have visas. The island, however, has a visa exemption policy for tourists. Hien, from Hanoi, said she'd already visited Jeju back in 2018 under the visa exemption policy and wasn't aware that it had changed when she booked the tickets for her and her friends to fly there from Singapore. "When we got to the Changi Airport for check-in procedures, an employee told us to discuss the issue with the airline. A representative of Scoot Airlines said Vietnamese, Thai, Mongolians and people from certain other countries would no longer be able to enter Jeju Island under the visa exemption policy. The airline said it would refund our tickets," Hien said. Vu Quoc Hung, 31, who had booked tickets with 11 other Vietnamese to fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Jeju on August 11 via Singapore, had the same experience. Hung's group reached the Changi Airport and did some … [Read more...] about Airline cancels Vietnamese tourists’ tickets to South Korea’s Jeju Island
Vietnam beefs up ties with Germany’s Saxony state
During a meeting with the German official on August 11, Ambassador Minh highlighted the fruitful development of the friendship between Vietnam and Saxony state in recent years, expressing the gratitude to the government of Saxony state for promoting the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Germany in general and Saxony in particular. The diplomat suggested the state government considers promoting the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Vietnamese Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the state’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, thus creating a favorable framework for recruiting more Vietnamese skilled workers for German enterprises. For his part, Kretschmer said the collaboration between Saxony and Vietnam has been developing positively in recent years, adding that the Vietnamese community here has made important contribution to the cultural diversity of the state. As President of the association of public universities in Saxony, … [Read more...] about Vietnam beefs up ties with Germany’s Saxony state
Vietnam Medi Pharm Expo to return to HCM City in August
Vietnam Medi Pharm Expo 2018 is expected to attract about 350 domestic and foreign exhibitors in August (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – About 350 domestic and foreign exhibitors will gather at the Saigon Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City for the 18th Vietnam International Hospital, Medical and Pharmaceutical Exhibition (Vietnam Medi Pharm Expo 2018) from August 2-4. The number of foreign exhibitors increased annually over the past 3 years, particularly those from Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, India, and Malaysia, said Nguyen Khac Luan, general director of Vinexad , organiser of the event. Products on display at the expo will be medical equipment and equipment in the pharmaceutical and beauty industries, natural medicines and supplementary foods. Along with trading activities among the enterprises, the three-day exhibition will also feature seminars “Introduction to Vietnam’s Pharmacy and Medicine Market” and “Local Medical … [Read more...] about Vietnam Medi Pharm Expo to return to HCM City in August
Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2018 to open in Hanoi
At the Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2017 (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 25th Vietnam International Exhibitions on Products, Equipment , Supplies for Pharmaceutical , Medical , Hospital and Rehabilitation – Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2018 will take place in Hanoi from May 9-12. The information was announced during a press conference co-hosted by the Health Ministry, the Vietnam Medical Products Import-Export JSC (Vimedimex) and the Vietnam Advertisement & Fair Exhibition (Vietfair) in Hanoi on May 2. This year, 450 firms from 30 countries and territories worldwide will join the event with 535 stalls. It will be the first time Polish enterprises attend the event with display of software on medical cost, electronic spare parts and automation. Major products on display include pharmaceuticals, functional food, medical equipment, dentistry and ophthalmological, and health care products, chemicals and experiment equipment. The Health Ministry’s display area will disseminate … [Read more...] about Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2018 to open in Hanoi
US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China tensions simmer
Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has conducted military drills around the island after U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei in early August. China has long claimed sovereignty over the island. Taiwan's government rejects China's claims and says the island's people should decide its future. The de facto U.S. embassy in Taipei said the delegation is being led by Senator Ed Markey, who is being accompanied by four House lawmakers on what it described as part of a larger visit to the Indo-Pacific region. Taiwan's presidential office said the group would meet Tsai on Monday morning. "Especially at a time when China is raising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the region with military exercises, Markey leading a delegation to visit Taiwan once again demonstrates the United States Congress' firm support for Taiwan," it said in a statement. Markey chairs the Senate Foreign Relations East Asia, Pacific, and International Cybersecurity … [Read more...] about US lawmakers arrive in Taiwan as China tensions simmer
Japan’s GDP expands in Q2 after Covid curbs lifted
The world's third-largest economy grew 0.5% quarter-on-quarter due to stronger consumption and capital investment. While the country never imposed strict stay-at-home orders during the pandemic, the government in March lifted virus restrictions primarily targeting business opening hours. Inbound tourism remains limited to group tours, however, and the economy is facing headwinds — from the energy price crisis to fears of a global recession fueled by biting inflation. From April to June, private consumption grew 1.1% compared with the 0.3% registered in the January-March quarter, according to the data released by the Cabinet Office. Capital spending expanded 1.4%, compared with a 0.3% contraction in the previous quarter. "After the government lifted a quasi-state of emergency in late March, consumption of services showed a relatively strong rebound, while capital investment returned to growth after staying low for a while," BNP Paribas said in a note issued before the GDP data … [Read more...] about Japan’s GDP expands in Q2 after Covid curbs lifted
Contestants spar in great Argentinian grill-off
Argentine grill masters fired up their spits Sunday for the fourth annual Federal Roast Championship in Buenos Aires. Festival-goers gathered along the capital city's main drag to watch the action, celebrating the country's gastronomic culture as the best barbecue chef in the nation was set to be crowned. According to city's tourism website, competitors representing all of Argentina's 23 provinces arranged kiosks up and down the July 9 Avenue, named for the country's day of independence. Participants "will prepare different cuts of meat in front of a jury of experts who will choose the 2022 champion," the site said. The competition will be judged based on how the cooks execute their own specialized techniques for meat-grilling, a tradition common throughout southern South America. Competitors represent all of Argentina's 23 provinces arranged kiosks up and down the July 9 Avenue, named for the country's day of independence. Photo: AFP … [Read more...] about Contestants spar in great Argentinian grill-off
China unexpectedly cuts 2 key rates, withdraws cash from banking system
Economists and analysts said they believe Chinese authorities are keen to support the sluggish economy by allowing a widening policy divergence with other major economies that are raising interest rates aggressively. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said it was lowering the rate on 400 billion yuan ($59.33 billion) of one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) loans to some financial institutions by 10 basis points (bps) to 2.75%, from 2.85%. In a poll of 32 market watchers last week, all respondents had forecast the MLF rate would be left unchanged and 29 had predicted there would be a partial rollover. "The rate cut surprises us," said Xing Zhaopeng, senior China strategist at ANZ. "It should be a response to the weak credit data on Friday. The government remains cautious about growth and will not let go." New bank lending in China tumbled more than expected in July while broad credit growth slowed, as fresh Covid flare-ups, worries about jobs and a deepening property … [Read more...] about China unexpectedly cuts 2 key rates, withdraws cash from banking system
Indian cultural festival underway in HCM City, Nha Trang
The event aims to boost cultural exchange and step up cooperation in trade, investment, education, information technology, tourism and healthcare between the two countries. Addressing the August 13 opening ceremony in HCM City, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma said the cultural festival was first scheduled for the beginning of this year on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (January 1, 1972 - 2022) but had to postpone due to COVID-19. India wants to promote three key elements during this festival: Trade, Connectivity and Culture, the diplomat said. It is also part of India’s Look East Policy in which Vietnam holds a very important position, he emphasized, noting that the festival plays a significant part in enhancing connectivity and cultural exchange, and beef up trade and investment between the two sides. In his remarks, Director of the municipal Department of External Affairs Tran Phuoc Anh said he believes the event will be a … [Read more...] about Indian cultural festival underway in HCM City, Nha Trang