A conference to review first-half operations and set out second-half tasks Significant contributions Despite numerous difficulties and challenges, the industry and trade sector yielded positive results in the first half of the year, making significant contributions to the country’s socioeconomic development, Minister Dien said. Nguyen Thuy Hien, deputy director of the Planning Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, highlighted bright spots related to the industry and trade sector’s growth goals in the first half of the year. Accordingly, the added value of the industrial sector increased by 8.48 percent compared to a year ago. Total export-import turnover reached an estimated US$371.3 billion, with exports increasing by 17.3 percent to more than US$186 billion. In particular, the export growth rate of the domestic sector (19.5 percent) overtook that of the FDI sector (16.6 percent), reflecting intensified efforts of domestic businesses to restore trade, … [Read more...] about Production back to pre-pandemic level
Second half bets
First-half industry and trade highlights
Ngo Khai Hoan, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Industry Agency Ngo Khai Hoan, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Industry Agency: Industrial production recovers strongly With the government’s decision to switch from “Zero COVID-19” to safe and flexible adaptation to the pandemic, industrial production has seen strong recovery and has been restored to pre-pandemic levels, especially the manufacturing and processing sector. The added value of the industrial sector increased by 8.48 percent in the first half of 2022 compared to a year ago. The index of industrial production (IIP) grew by 8.7 percent in the first half of the year, with the manufacturing and processing sector going up by 9.7 percent. Almost all localities saw IIP increases, with high rates recorded in the provinces of Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Quang Nam and Binh Phuoc. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tran Duy Dong, Director of the Domestic Market Department … [Read more...] about First-half industry and trade highlights
Hanoi promotes industrial infrastructure development for sustainable growth
The capital city is committed to accompanying the business community in promoting industrial products using advanced and environmentally friendly technologies with high-added value. Hanoi is pushing for the development of industrial infrastructure and key industrial products, seen as the driving force for the capital city’s sustainable economic growth. Thang Long Industrial Park in Dong Anh District, Hanoi. File photo During the first six months of 2022, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade started the construction of six industrial parks and is working on accelerating 38 other projects in the city. For the 2021-2025 period, Hanoi aims for supporting industries to make up 30% of the total value of industrial production, an increase of 5% from the current level; raise the value of key industrial products to 40-45% of total industrial production, and expects 10% of businesses in Hanoi to stay among Vietnam’s top 500 companies. To realize this goal, … [Read more...] about Hanoi promotes industrial infrastructure development for sustainable growth
Climate risks dwarf Europe’s energy crisis, space chief warns
The head of the European Space Agency (ESA) has warned economic damage from heatwaves and drought could dwarf Europe's energy crisis as he called for urgent action to tackle climate change. Director General Josef Aschbacher told Reuters successive heatwaves along with wildfires, shrinking rivers and rising land temperatures as measured from space left no doubt about the toll on agriculture and other industries from climate change. "Today, we are very concerned about the energy crisis, and rightly so. But this crisis is very small compared to the impact of climate change, which is of a much bigger magnitude and really has to be tackled extremely fast," he said. He was speaking in an interview as heatwaves and floods generate concerns over extreme weather across the globe. More than 57,200 hectares have been swallowed by wildfire in France this year, nearly six times the full-year average. In Spain, a prolonged dry spell made July the hottest month since at least 1961. … [Read more...] about Climate risks dwarf Europe’s energy crisis, space chief warns
Football: Vietnam reach final of AFF U16 Youth Championships
Vietnam on August 10 beat Thailand 2-0 at the semifinal of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U16 Youth Championships 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam on August 10 beat Thailand 2-0 at the semifinal of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U16 Youth Championships 2022, winning a ticket to the final of the tournament in Indonesia on August 12. Right in the first minutes, the Vietnamese players put pressure on their Thai rivals, and their efforts paid off in the 30th minute when Cong Phuong opened the scoring. Trong Tuan scored the second goal with a header in the 83rd minute. Vietnam are to meet host Indonesia, which defeated Myanmar earlier this week, in the final. Following the match, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) awarded 300 million VND (12,828 USD) to coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan and his players, raising their total awards to 600 million VND. Earlier, Vietnam beat Thailand 1-0 in its third match of the 2022 International U19 Tournament in the … [Read more...] about Football: Vietnam reach final of AFF U16 Youth Championships
Cheaper, changing and crucial: the rise of solar power
Generating power from sunlight bouncing off the ground, working at night, even helping to grow strawberries: solar panel technology is evolving fast as costs plummet for a key segment of the world's energy transition. The International Energy Agency says solar will have to scale up significantly this decade to meet the Paris climate target of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The good news is that costs have fallen dramatically. In a report on solutions earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said solar unit costs had dropped 85 percent between 2010 and 2019, while wind fell 55 percent. "There's some claim that it's the cheapest way humans have ever been able to make electricity at scale," said Gregory Nemet, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a lead author on that report. Experts hope the high fossil fuel prices and fears over energy security caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine will … [Read more...] about Cheaper, changing and crucial: the rise of solar power
Vietnam willing to work with US on emerging issues: Spokeswoman
Vietnam says that its trade relations with the US have coincided with the World Trade Organization's regulations. Vietnam stands ready to discuss with the US to address issues emerging in trade, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said today. Vietnam has always worked with the US through existing mechanisms, including Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs), to boost trade and investment for the sake of businesses and people of both sides, Hang shared the view at the press conference on August 11. Warehouse storage of steel products in Vietnam. Photo: VNA On August 8, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) issued an official notice on the initiation of an investigation into trade remedy evasion with respect to a number of steel pipe products imported from Vietnam. According to ASL law firm , Large US steel pipe producers asked the US to launch an investigation after learning that Vietnam was importing Hot Rolled Steel … [Read more...] about Vietnam willing to work with US on emerging issues: Spokeswoman
HCMC, Singapore enhance cooperation on human resources development
Phan Van Mai, Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee (right) hands over a souvenir to Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry. (Photo: VNA) Chairman of the HCMC People's Committee Phan Van Mai hosted a reception for Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry on August 11. He affirmed that the cooperation between HCMC and Singapore not only brings benefits to the city but also is an important factor contributing to the common development of Vietnam-Singapore relations. At the event (Photo: VNA) Along with potential fields such as smart city building, urban management and green economy, the city expects to strengthen collaboration and share experience in startup development, helping the city become an innovative start-up center of the country and the region, the official said. He hoped that Singapore will share experience to improve the dialogue mechanism between the … [Read more...] about HCMC, Singapore enhance cooperation on human resources development
3rd HCMC Creative Awards receives entries by the end of next March
At the press conference The biennial contest opening for Vietnamese people at home and abroad has seven categories, including economic growth, national defense, state management, communications, culture and arts, science and technology, and innovative startup, Deputy Head of the municipal Reward and Emulation Board Nguyen Hoang Hung said. This year’s competition will focus on discovering measures for the city’s economic development, works and solutions in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle, mass mobilization activities, national defense and security tasks. The entries have been applied in practice from March 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023, and contributed to solving urgent issues in building and developing the city, or won awards in major competitions. The works must present their creativity, widespread application and immediate effect. An award-winning work reforming administrative procedures at the 2nd HCMC Creative Awards … [Read more...] about 3rd HCMC Creative Awards receives entries by the end of next March
Vietnam looks to draw reputable U.S. investors: Ambassador
In a meeting on August 9 with Robert McCooey, Senior Vice President of Nasdaq's Listing Services unit, who leads business development for new listings in Latin America and Asia-Pacific, the Vietnamese diplomat said Vietnam wants to attract big firms from the U.S. to invest in the above-mentioned areas, especially those that can contribute to implementing Vietnam's commitments at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). The Delegation of Vietnam to the U.N. is ready to cooperate with Nasdaq in the organization of meetings and seminars to this purpose, especially on the occasion of working visits of Vietnam’s high-ranking delegations to New York, he affirmed. McCooey said that Vietnam's investment environment has a clear competitive advantage in the region thanks to its flexible response policy to the COVID-19 pandemic, and stable legal system. He welcomed the suggestion of the delegation, saying Nasdaq is willing to work with the delegation to introduce … [Read more...] about Vietnam looks to draw reputable U.S. investors: Ambassador