Legal frameworks

E.C. Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius made the remarks at a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan in Brussels on September 18. The E.C. representative also said the E.C. wants to assist the Southeast Asian nation in becoming a model of sustainable fisheries development and anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the world. In the meeting, Hoan told Sinkevičius that Vietnam saw the yellow card of the E.C. not only as a challenge but also an opportunity for the local fisheries sector to switch from a small-scale, tropical, multi-sector, multi-species industry to a responsible and sustainable one. A comprehensive plan with specific goals and solutions has been developed and implemented across all levels, especially in coastal localities, with an active participation of authorities, organizations, fishing communities, associations, and seafood businesses. So far, with … [Read more...] about E.C. pledges support for Vietnam in developing sustainable fisheries

Speaking at the 2023 Vietnam Economic Forum on September 19, Thanh said, “To achieve a green economic transition and boost renewable energy, electricity prices must fully reflect production costs.” According to Thanh, there has been an influx of new energy sources, many of which are costlier than the current average electricity price. As a rough estimate, if the cost of renewable energy stands between 5-7 US cents per kWh, with the addition of transmission costs, the retail price should rise to 10-12 US cents per kWh. Currently, the average retail price hovers around 8.1 US cents per kWh. This suggests the need for an upward revision, taking the new production costs into consideration. "Naturally, the idea of raising electricity prices will receive pushback. However, without a clear roadmap for such price hikes, transitioning to renewable energy becomes unfeasible," Thanh said, adding, "Energy pricing needs to be more reflective of economic and societal costs. Such measures could … [Read more...] about Electricity prices must reflect production costs for green transition

At the 2023 Australian Investment Forum in Ho Chi Minh City last week, deputy director Vu Van Chung of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment noted that Vietnamese businesses are now well-equipped to venture into major economies, no longer limiting their focus solely to countries of similar economic stature. One-on-one meetings with representatives from Australian states and territories were held within the Forum. Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam “Traditionally, we’ve collaborated with nations matching our development level, management capabilities, and potential,” Chung said. “However, in the past five years, investments from Vietnamese firms have witnessed unprecedented growth in both quality and quantity.” With its burgeoning economic development, Vietnam offers myriad collaboration and international integration opportunities. “Currently, we have approximately 850,000 enterprises, with ambitions to expand this figure … [Read more...] about Australian presence apparent in quality and quantity

The EC representative also said the EC wants to assist Vietnam in becoming a model of sustainable fisheries development and anti-illegal, unreported, and unregulated ( IUU ) fishing in the world. Hoan said Vietnam has clearly identified sustainable fisheries development as the key to addressing the EC's yellow card warning. He suggested that the EU quickly remove the warning for Vietnam. The Vietnamese minister also had working sessions with officials of the EC Directorate-General for the Environment and Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. During the meetings, he underscored the Vietnamese Government's commitment to transforming agriculture in an eco-friendly and sustainable direction and developing a transparent and sustainable farming industry as the nation steers towards becoming a major global supplier of food products./. VNA … [Read more...] about EC pledges support for Vietnam in developing sustainable fisheries