Kuala Lumpur – Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz has said Malaysia's inflation may reach around 11 percent if the government does not implement subsidies for essential items like fuel. Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz has said Malaysia's inflation may reach around 11%. (Photo: theedgemarkets.com) The minister told the press that Malaysia's inflation is forecast to be 2.2 percent -3.2 percent. In fact, for the first six months of the year, inflation was around 2.5 percent, and that was largely due to the large size of subsidies that the government introduced. Malaysia's inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, increased 3.4 percent year-on-year in June, led by costlier food, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said on July 22. Nonetheless, Tengku Zafrul acknowledged that the current blanket subsidy policy is not sustainable for the country, but it is necessary for economic recovery in the short term. The government is managing the economy cautiously, and the … [Read more...] about Malaysia’s inflation may hit double digits: Finance Minister
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Thai businesses eye expanding trade, investment in Cambodia
Bangkok – Thai businesses have set their sights on expanding trade and investment in Cambodia, especially in processed food, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, plastic, and gems and jewellery. The Aranyaprathet-Poipet border gate of Thailand and Cambodia (Photo: Asia News) Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), said Cambodia is seeing average economic growth of 7 – 8% per year as a result of the country opening up to foreign direct investment. Cambodia has been trying to develop its tourism and agricultural sectors, but the country still lacks sufficient knowledge and modern technology, especially in terms of storage and processing in order to increase values. This offers a very good opportunity for Thai businesses to forge joint investments with Cambodian counterparts in many sectors as above, according to Sanan, who is also chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand. He led the first post-pandemic visit to Cambodia by more than 60 … [Read more...] about Thai businesses eye expanding trade, investment in Cambodia
Long way to go for Vietnamese durians
Workers wrap up and label durians. Vietnamese durians have made a name for themselves as a great-tasting fruit in many countries, but that's only the story's beginning. (Photo: baomoi.com) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnamese durians have made a name for themselves as a great-tasting fruit for overseas consumers but still have a long way to go the maintain their position on the international scene, according to insiders. Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association, revealed that China , the largest importer of fresh Vietnamese durians, has allowed the fruits to be imported via official channels from July 12. However, these opportunities come with obstacles as the Chinese General Administration of Customs (CGAC) requires that Vietnamese exporting firms and growing areas register with the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and the registrations must be sent to CGAC for approval before the fruit can enter the … [Read more...] about Long way to go for Vietnamese durians
Dak Lak prepares for export of passion fruit to China
Vietnamese passion fruit (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Dak Lak province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is preparing necessary conditions for the shipping of local passion fruit to China, as the fruit has been officially allowed to enter the market. The preparation includes supporting businesses and farmers in making the fruit meet related requirements. The Central Highlands province is home to 1,055ha of passion fruit, of which 884ha are yielding 14,703 tonnes annually. The planting area and production of passion fruit nationwide are continuously increasing, especially in Central Highlands localities. Currently, Vietnam grows the fruit on about 6,000ha across 46 cities and provinces with an annual output of 300,000-400,000 tonnes. With relevant negotiations beginning in 2006, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) agreed this year to pilot the import of Vietnamese passion fruit starting in July, making it the 10th Vietnamese fruit … [Read more...] about Dak Lak prepares for export of passion fruit to China
Coast Guard Region 4 disseminates information to prevent IUU fishing
During the event, the coast guard force provided local fishermen with regulations on the prevention and combat of illegal, unreported and regulated (IUU) fishing. Also, the organizing panel updated fishermen with information related to Vietnamese law and ASEAN countries’ regulations while conducting fishing activities at sea, punishment for violations in the sector and the Vietnam Coast Guard Law, regulations on the installation and operation of cruise monitoring equipment, and procedures for supporting subscription fees for fishing vessel monitor services in the province, among others. After the dissemination event, 50 fishermen signed a commitment to comply with the regulations while fishing at sea. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Region 4 Command and Ca Mau province’s Fisheries Association presented national flags and 20 gifts to needy fishermen. It is the second time the Coast Guard Region 4 Command has carried out information dissemination activities. These activities aimed to … [Read more...] about Coast Guard Region 4 disseminates information to prevent IUU fishing
Vietnam Summer Camp 2022 wraps up in Ba Ria – Vung Tau
Addressing the closing ceremony, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Ngoc Khanh said nearly 20,000 people from Ba Ria - Vung Tau are living in over 50 countries and territories worldwide, mainly the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and ASEAN nations. He hoped the campers had great experiences with Vietnam and Ba Ria - Vung Tau and that they would become ambassadors promoting Vietnamese nature, culture and people to international friends. Khanh also wanted them to act as a bridge to strengthen the friendship and relations between Vietnam and their host countries and territories. The young expats traveled across nine cities and provinces, namely Hanoi, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria - Vung Tau during the Vietnam Summer Camp 2022 which started on July 19. They visited many natural attractions and historic relics; and participated in charitable activities. They also … [Read more...] about Vietnam Summer Camp 2022 wraps up in Ba Ria – Vung Tau
Vietnam minister proposes visa exemption for US, European travelers
He also suggested the government consider simplifying immigration procedures to attract foreign tourists as Vietnam reopened after over two years of border closure, he said in a report submitted to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Tuesday. Hung also proposed extending tax cuts to tourism businesses until the end of 2023 to help them recover after the pandemic crisis. Though Vietnam reopened tourism and lifted most Covid restrictions, Hung said travel firms and those working in the tourism industry are grappling with difficulties and have not really benefited directly from current policies. The country welcomed 954,000 foreign arrivals in the first seven months this year, up nine times year-on-year. This year, Vietnam targets five million foreign tourists, around 30 percent of pre-pandemic levels. The government has allowed quarantine-free entry and resumed its pre-pandemic visa exemption policy for 24 tourism markets including Western European countries from … [Read more...] about Vietnam minister proposes visa exemption for US, European travelers
Ministry plans to add “place of birth” to new passport version
The new passport version of Vietnam (Photo: Vietnam Government Portal) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is planning to add the “place of birth” to the new passport version to facilitate citizens’ seeking of visas to the Schengen countries . The granting and use of the new passport will be among the issues about which Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam will be questioned at the 14th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on August 10. Compared to the old passport, the new version is produced by using modern technology to meet higher security requirements and standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), according to the MPS’s report sent to lawmakers prior to the meeting. Images of Vietnam’s typical landscapes and cultural heritages are featured in the new passport with the aim of introducing the country’s land and people to international friends, it noted. So far, the MPS has granted 272,000 passports of the … [Read more...] about Ministry plans to add “place of birth” to new passport version
Tireless efforts made to soothe Agent Orange pain
Many policies on the settlement of AO consequences have been carried out over the past years, including supporting AO victims. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Joining hands to soothe the pain caused by Agent Orange (AO) is not only a charitable or humanitarian deed but firstly an activity to express gratitude to revolution contributors and the sense of responsibility of each Vietnamese people. Vietnam marks 61 years since the AO disaster on August 10 this year. Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Victims of AO/ Dioxin (VAVA), said the Party, State, and people have made wholehearted efforts with the highest sense of responsibility to care for revolution contributors, including those suffering from toxic chemicals in the resistance war and AO victims. Many policies on the settlement of AO consequences have been carried out, he said, noting that the State has spent tens of trillions of VND each year on providing monthly allowances, health … [Read more...] about Tireless efforts made to soothe Agent Orange pain
☀️ Morning digest August 9
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency . - Vietnam always wants to promote solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation with Cambodia, considering this a priority in its foreign policy, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang told Cambodian guests in Hanoi on August 8. Giang hosted a reception for a delegation of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) led by Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the RCAF and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army. Read full story - Vietnam’s GDP growth is forecast to expand 7.5% in 2022 and 6.7% in 2023, with resilient manufacturing and a robust rebound in services serving as the driving forces for economic recovery. At the press conference to release the report. (Photo: WB Vietnam) According to the latest economic update by World Bank (WB) for Vietnam, the country’s economy expanded 5.2% in Q4 of 2021, and … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest August 9