Pod floating

According to the Vietnam Institute of Seas and Islands under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), plastic waste accounts for between 50% and 80% of marine waste. Currently, Vietnam is ranked fourth among the five countries which have the biggest volume of plastic waste in their seas, with a volume of between 0.28 and 0.73 million tonnes per year (equivalent to around 6% of the world's total plastic waste discharged into the sea). According to the experts, the main sources of pollution related to marine plastic waste in Vietnam include land-based waste sources and marine-based waste sources from activities such shipping, fishing, natural incidents, floating trash at sea and other activities. On the other hand, over recent years, the marine tourism industry has developed strongly, attracting hundreds of millions of domestic and foreign tourists each year. Thus, the volume of plastic waste discharged by tourists to Vietnam's marine tourism areas is forecasted to be more than 206,000 tonnes by the end of 2020, of which nearly 40% will be discharged into the sea. Many beautiful beaches such as Ha Long Bay, or some islands such as Cat Ba, Phu Quoc, Con Dao, and Cu Lao Cham, are facing the risk of environmental pollution, especially an increasing amount of plastic waste. Worryingly, micro-sized (less than five millimeters) plastic waste formed during the manufacturing process, or fragmentation of plastic materials which exist as suspended matter and in seabed sediments do not decompose easily. They easily accumulate in the biological food chain causing a significant impact on marine ecosystems. Large plastic waste such as nets and floating fishing gear also cause serious harm to marine organisms when they become trapped, reducing fishing productivity and causing impacts on the other ocean ecosystems. Facing this situation, at the end of 2019, the Prime Minister promulgated the National Action Plan on marine plastic waste management by 2030. The …

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Export value skyrockets over Lunar New Year Vietnam's export turnover during this Lunar New Year saw breakthrough growth, occupying nearly half of the total export-import turnover. The latest data published by the General Department of Vietnam Customs showed that export volume over the seven days (February 10-16) of the Lunar New Year holiday reached $730 million, rising 79 per cent on-year and accounting for about 44 per cent of the $1.67 billion export-import turnover. The main export articles include mobile devices and components valued at $332 million; computer and electronic products worth $251 million. The two categories accounted for 80 per cent of the total export value. This Lunar New Year saw exports going to 80 markets, seven more than last year. China continues to be the leading export market with a value of $189 million (26 per cent). Following are the US ($152 million), South Korea ($67 million), and Hong Kong ($57 million). According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, there were 960 import-export businesses, up 59 per cent on-year. Nevertheless, importers still outnumbered exporters with an import turnover of $940 million, up 37 per cent on-year. Thus, from early this year to February 16, the total export-import turnover reached $74.51 billion, up 31 per cent on-year. Of this, exports hit $38.57 billion, up 36 per cent on-year while imports reached $35.94 billion, up 26 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of $2.63 billion. Drug market forecast to grow by 15 per cent in 2021 The pharmaceutical industry grew by just 2.8 per cent last year, much lower than its average 11.8 per cent growth in the last five years. It is expected to recover and grow by 15 per cent this year, mainly due to a rapidly ageing population and increasing incomes, analysts at SSI Securities Corporation said. Last year there was a short supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients from China and India due to social distancing and …

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Giants to invest in big projects in Hue By Nhan Tam A public playground area in Hue City. More large-scale companies are interested in investment in Thua Thien Hue Province - PHOTO: HIEU TRUONG THUA THIEN HUE – Aeon, a Japanese-based retailer, and Vietravel, a local tourism company, are building commercial and service centers in the central province of Thua Thien Hue. Aeon Vietnam Co., the investor of the Aeon Mall chain in Vietnam, plans to pour US$150-160 million into a large-scale shopping mall in Hue City, Thua Thien Hue Province. This was unveiled at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding about the investment research of Aeon Mall in Hue City between the Thua Thien Hue People’s Committee and Aeon Mall Vietnam. Phan Ngoc Tho, Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People’s Committee, said the province will strongly support the investor to do studies as well as procedures so that the latter could commence the project this year. Tho also said apart from the commercial center, the investor was also interested in developing local raw material areas. Meanwhile, Vietravel is building the Vietravel entertainment and service complex in Hue City. The VND140-billion project will provide a chain of travel services and auxiliary services when it comes into operation by the end of 2021. In another development, Hue is calling for investment in a complex of hotel, commercial center, floating restaurant and tourist wharf at 121 Nguyen Sinh Cung Street, Hue City with an aim to attract tourists to visit the famous Huong River. Late last year, the People’s Council of Thua Thien Hue Province approved the socio-economic development plan for 2021, including a list of key projects in 2021. Some major projects will be kicked off in 2021 such as the international golf project plus the auxiliary service area and resort by ​​BRG Golf Course Joint Stock Company with a total investment capital of VND3,164 and VND1,656-billion Vinh My tourist …

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