Singapore

Singapore’s overall unemployment rate continues to fall in January. (Photo: businesstimes.com.sg) Singapore (VNA) - Singapore’s overall unemployment rate continued to fall in January thanks to economic stabilisation, according to latest figures released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on March 3. The overall unemployment rate edged down to 3.2 percent, from 3.3 percent in December, while the resident unemployment rate was 4.3 percent, down 0.1 percent. The citizen unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent, having earlier decreased from 4.7 percent in November. There were 101,900 unemployed residents in January, of which 89,300 were citizens. Minister of Manpower Josephine Teo pointed to initiatives like the Jobs Support Scheme and the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package that helped Singaporeans stay employed, together with tripartite efforts coordinated by the National Jobs Council. Since September 2020, the Jobs Growth Incentive has also helped to expand local hiring, she added. However, Teo said more work needs to be done since long-term unemployment rate is still elevated in the nation, and even for those employed, some are in short-term or transitional positions./. VNA …

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Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh held phone talks with Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan on March 4, during which they discussed measures to bolster trade exchange and speed up post-pandemic economic recovery, as well as the facilitation of travelling between the two sides. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh (Photo: VNA) The two officials also mentioned the COVID-19 vaccination plans and the possibility of applying vaccine passports. The Singaporean FM congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 13th National Party Congress as well as Minh’s re-election to the Politburo. He also congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and socio-economic development. He affirmed that Singapore attaches great importance to cooperation with Vietnam, especially in the current complicated developments of the global and regional situation. Minh thanked Singapore for supporting Vietnam in performing its role of ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure. He proposed that the two sides continue to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels at suitable times. He expressed his hope that Singapore will cooperate with and support Vietnam in approaching safe and effective vaccines. Balakrishnan shared Singapore’s experience in implementing the [email protected] initiative to create favourable conditions for international entrepreneurs to meet and exchange at the airport. He affirmed that his country is willing to give optimal conditions for Vietnamese citizens to transit in Singapore to go home. During the talks, the two sides also discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern, including those related to Myanmar. They shared their hope that the situation in Myanmar will become stable soon, for peace and cooperation in …

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The Hanoitimes - Singapore’s priority is to enhance bilateral relations with Vietnam, especially during the complicated regional and global situation, Foreign Minister of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan has said. Vietnam and Singapore would continue to boost trade and economic cooperation to aid the post-pandemic recovery process, including opening borders for flight resumption, vaccination programs and the possibility of adopting vaccine passport. Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh during the phone talk with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Photo: Hai Minh Such was the outcome of a phone talk between Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and Foreign Minister of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan on March 4. Balakrishnan congratulated Vietnam on the successful conclusion of the 13th National Party Congress, the country’s effective containment of the Covid-19 pandemic and positive socio-economic development. The Singaporean minister stressed the country’s priority in enhancing bilateral relations with Vietnam, especially during the complicated regional and global situation. Balakrishnan shared Singapore’s experience about the “Changi connection” initiative, aiming to create favorable conditions for international business people to meet and connect right at the airport. Singapore is willing to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese citizens to transit via the country and return to Vietnam, added Balakrishnan. From his part, Deputy PM Minh thanked Singapore’s active support for Vietnam as the Chair of ASEAN in 2020 and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-21. “Vietnam expects greater support from Singapore to access safe and efficient Covid-19 vaccines,” said Minh. The two senior officials also discussed regional and international issues that both countries share concern, including Myanmar, in which both …

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