K link agricultural products

Illustrative image (Photo: bangkokpost) Bangkok (VNA) – The Energy Ministry of Thailand has set a time frame to transition to gasohol E20 as the primary petrol grade by early next year to boost the value of commodity crops used in biofuel production. Speaking to the press, Thai Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said the country will use agricultural commodities like palm oil, sugar and cassava to produce biofuel. Gasohol is a biofuel made from cassava and sugar blended with unleaded petrol in proportions of 10 percent, 20 percent or 85 percent. It was introduced to Thai motorists for commercial sale in 2008, followed by E20 and E85 a few years later. Thailand has five categories of petrol: gasohol 91 E10, gasohol 95 E10, gasohol E20, gasohol E85 and premium ULG 95 petrol. The government aims to cut down to just three or four types of petrol. The Energy Business Department is studying how to mandate E20 to be available nationwide, as well as considering how to deal … [Read more...] about Thailand promotes use of biofuel to support agriculture

Tansri Matshah Safuan, Chairman of the Safuan Group, speaks at a seminar in HCM City on November 9 about the new Vietnam Market project in Malaysia. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnamese products have entered over 200 markets around the world including markets with strict import regulations and standards such as the EU, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the US, according to a recent report released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Vietnam has also quickly improved its ranking among export economies. The country jumped 24 places to rank 26th among the world’s largest exporters last year from 50th place in 2007. In 2007, Vietnam had only 14 markets with export-import turnover value exceeding 1 billion USD, with the only 10 billion USD market being the US. By the end of the last year, the country had four 10 billion USD markets and 31 markets with 1 billion USD in export-import turnover. In addition, Vietnamese products have found their way into markets in different … [Read more...] about Vietnamese products taking on the world

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh (R) and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong (C) at the conference on the EVFTA held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21 (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Overcoming tariff barriers doesn’t mean Vietnamese good and services can easily enter the European Union (EU), but they still have to satisfy strict non-tariff requirements of what is one of the world’s most demanding markets, according to Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) was signed in Hanoi on June 30. Once taking effect, it will eliminate 99 percent of the import tariff lines between the two sides in 7-10 years. This is the highest commitment level Vietnam has received among the FTAs it has inked.  Notably, many commodities will benefit from the zero-percent tariffs immediately after the deal becomes effective such as coffee, peppercorn, honey and aquatic products. At a conference … [Read more...] about Tariff removal doesn’t mean easy entrance into EU market: minister

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Phung Quoc Hien (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - A high-level delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA), led by its Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien, on March 23 began a three-day working visit to Madagascar. The same day, NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien met with Speaker of the Parliament of Madagascar Jean Max Rakotomamonjy in the capital city of Antananarivo. Rakotomamonjy affirmed the fruitful relations between Vietnam and Madagascar, and expressed his hope that the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries would be enhanced, including the exchange of delegations. He also mentioned several measures to strengthen relations between the two parliaments, including the establishment of friendship parliamentary groups. Regarding economic aspect, the Malagasy Parliament leader hailed Vietnam’s achievements, adding that Vietnam and Madagascar have many similarities in natural conditions, therefore the two sides can increase their … [Read more...] about National Assembly Vice Chairman visits Madagascar

Vietnamese products are introduced at the forum in Maputo on June 26 (Photo: VNA) Maputo (VNA) – Over 100 representatives of Vietnamese and Mozambican businesses gathered at a forum in Maputo on June 26 to seek stronger links in trade, investment and tourism between the two countries. Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique Le Huy Hoang said the Vietnamese Government is committed to continued support of the two countries’ businesses to reinforce partnership and capitalise on their potential and advantages. Meanwhile, Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade Le Hong Thang introduced advantages of the Vietnamese capital city, including favourable policies, transport infrastructure and human resources. He also highlighted the municipal authorities’ resolve to assist foreign enterprises to engage in economic, investment and trade cooperation. Mozambican Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Julio Joao Pio reviewed the recent strides in bilateral … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Mozambique seek to enhance trade, investment, tourism ties