Workers at a shrimp processing factory in Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Pham Thanh Hai, First Secretary at the Vietnam Trade Office in South Africa, told Vietnam News Agency reporters on the sidelines of a recent consultation on fishery exports to the African market organised by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). Nearly three decades after the establishment of diplomatic relations, the Vietnam-South Africa cooperation has flourished with achievements in major fields of politics, diplomacy, national defence, security and trade, among others. Of note, South Africa is currently Vietnam’s largest trade partner in Africa as the average annual growth rate of two-way trade surpassed US$1.2 billion in the 2019-2021. Statistics from the MoIT indicated that the African nation mainly imported shrimp worth $3.17 million and frozen fish of $1.03 million from Vietnam last year. Bilateral trade remained stable despite negative impacts of Covid-19, … [Read more...] about South Africa a potential market for Vietnam’s fishery products: official
Market makers
Wildlife conservation organisations call for closure of “bird hell”
Wild birds being publicly sold at Thanh Hoa market in Long An province. (Photo: HV/Vietnam+) According to the petition, the Thanh Hoa farm produce market has for many years not operated under its original purpose but as a place to trade wild birds, including rare species protected by law. Names such as “ hell market ” and “ bird hell ” have long been associated with the market. The market is said to house thousands of endangered animals from the Mekong Delta. It has about 40 stalls with hundreds of cages imprisoning rare birds, Asian openbills, turtles, and snakes. These stalls are also “slaughterhouses”, serving drinking parties with alcohol made from the blood of the animals. Nature conservation organisations and the media have for many years monitored activities at the market and publicised the illegal wildlife trade taking place. VietnamPlus, after discovering the illegal trade of rare and precious birds at the market, published a series of reports and contacted … [Read more...] about Wildlife conservation organisations call for closure of “bird hell”
Vietnam needs “green climate Doi Moi”: UNDP
Given net-zero commitments, Vietnam is now at a crossroads to transform routes that benefit both the economy and the environment. Vietnam’s climate commitment at COP26 requires development pathways to ensure the balance of both economy and environment that the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) called reforms. UNDP Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen at the ceremony held in Quang Ninh Province on May 28. Photos: UNDP Vietnam would need a “Green Climate Doi Moi” to enable a green and inclusive economic rebound from Covid-19 as the country strives for a high-income level by 2045, while safeguarding the natural resources and environment for future generations, Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP Resident Representative, said today. This includes green, climate-resilient approaches to technology, capital markets, supply chains, business models, and the engagement of SMEs in innovation, Wiesen said at a national launching ceremony held on May 28 in response to World … [Read more...] about Vietnam needs “green climate Doi Moi”: UNDP
Hanoi builds safe agricultural production areas
Nguyen Giap Dong, head of the Ba Vi District Economic Division, said that the district currently maintained a safe tea production area spanning 1,550ha and productivity of 10.5 tons per hectare per year. The output for the whole year is estimated at 16,275 tons of fresh buds, worth VND 350 million (USD 14,900) per hectare per year. To help farmers maintain and expand safe production areas, Ba Vi district has supported and created favorable conditions for localities to innovate technology, ensure raw material sources and well manage tea quality. It builds trademarks, product brands protected by intellectual property; builds good models of safe tea production and processing following Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP) process. Thanks to that, the district has successfully built the Ba Vi tea brand. In Dong Anh District, Nguyen Anh Dung, deputy chairman of the district People’s Committee, said that the district had 1,180ha of vegetable production area including more … [Read more...] about Hanoi builds safe agricultural production areas
ASEAN keen on bolstering trade, investment with Mexico
The ACMC delegation joins a session with Governor of Guanajuato Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo. (Photo: VNA) Mexico City (VNA) - A delegation of the ASEAN Committee in Mexico City (ACMC) paid a working visit to Guanajuato state , aiming to bolster trade and investment. The delegation, comprising representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, joined working sessions with leaders of Guanajuato and Irapuato cities regarding economic development, foreign trade, tourism and education. Governor of Guanajuato Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo and local leaders spoke highly of cooperation possibilities across all fields with ASEAN, particularly economic development, trade, investment and tourism, which are expected to help the state in particular and Mexico in general diversify export markets and attract foreign investment. Malaysian Ambassador to Mexico Muzafar Shah Mustafar, who is rotating chair of the ACMC, underlined bilateral cooperation … [Read more...] about ASEAN keen on bolstering trade, investment with Mexico
Plastic packaging a cause for concern in online shopping era in Vietnam
The trend of online food purchasing, which has prevailed since the COVID-19 outbreak, and the prevalent use of plastic packaging in retail are increasing plastic waste volume, potentially causing long-term health risks. During the strict COVID-19 restrictions last year, 75 percent of people living in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City used online food delivery services, according to a survey of Q&Me, a market research firm. Such food is usually packed in boxes made of plastic that accounted for 64 percent of the total volume of materials used for the food packaging industry. Many vendors prefer using plastic bags to contain various items sold online and at bricks-and-mortar shops. ProCi Food, a Ho Chi Minh City-based non-profit social project, and some other eco-friendly businesses, like Phu Yen Province-based Tuy An Farm, have called on their customers to send back packaging to them so that they can return it to manufacturers for processing and reuse. Some online grocery … [Read more...] about Plastic packaging a cause for concern in online shopping era in Vietnam