Vietnam needs to promote alternative energy: expertBy Huynh Kim Dr. Dao Trong Tu, director of the Center for Sustainable Development of Water Resources and Climate Change Adaptation The Xe Pian – Xe Namnoy hydropower dam in southern Laos collapsed on July 23, causing severe damage to the surrounding area. The Saigon Times spoke to Dr. Dao Trong Tu, director of the Center for Sustainable Development of Water Resources and Climate Change Adaptation, about hydropower dam safety in Vietnam. Excerpts: The Saigon Times: Please provide some insights into hydropower dams and irrigation works in the Mekong River in Vietnam. - Dr. Dao Trong Tu: The Mekong River, which runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, has high potential for hydropower generation. The countries in the river basin have constructed and are planning hundreds of hydropower dams in the mainstream and tributaries of the river. There are plenty of reservoirs, with capacities ranging from … [Read more...] about Vietnam needs to promote alternative energy: expert
Southern cross renewable energy fund
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 5/7
Nearly 5,000 tariff lines has been above 0 percent In 2018, 144 tariff lines will be completed eliminated, increasing the number of zero-tax lines 5,103, or 54 per cent of the total. The government has drafted tax tables on preferential import tariffs to implement the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the 2016-2018 period. According to the Vietnam's commitments in the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and EAEU, the special preferential import tariff includes 9,471 tariff lines (not including 87 CKD tariff lines); each of the two sides will offer level of market opening in goods that account for about 90% of tariff lines, equivalent to over 90% of bilateral trade. BIDV granted licence to open branch in Myanmar The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) has been granted a licence by the Central Bank of Myanmar to open a branch in Yangon. BIDV Yangon began operating officially on July 1, nearly four months … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 5/7
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/7
Republic of Korea tops foreign investment in first half of 2016The Republic of Korea was the largest foreign investor in Vietnam in the first six months of the year at US$3.99 billion, equivalent to 35.37% of total direct foreign investment. According to the Foreign Investment Agency, Japan and Singapore came second and third with US$1.229 billion and US$1.129 billion poured into Vietnam respectively. In the first six months of 2016, total new and additional pledges were US$11.284 billion, up 105.4% over the same period last year, while disbursement rose 15.1% to reach US$7.25 billion. Foreign investment was poured into 19 sectors, in which manufacturing remained the most attractive, drawing more than US$8 billion, equivalent to 71.4% of total pledges. Real estate came second with US$604.8 million, while sci-tech ranked third with US$562.3 million. Major projects granted licences in the first half of 2016 were LG’s display manufacturing facility in Hai Phong, Samsung’s … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 4/7
SOCIETY IN BRIEF 16/5
Austria provides equipment to Ninh Binh hospital The Austrian Government will provide modern medical equipment worth 8.7 million euros for the Ninh Binh General Hospital to meet high-quality check-ups and treatment demands of people in the province and surrounding areas. To this effect, a contract was signed on May 15 by representatives of Austria’s Odelga Med GmbH Company and Ninh Binh General Hospital. Under the contract, Odelga Med GmbH Company will supply 61 medical machines using Austrian Government ODA to Ninh Binh General Hospital within five months, and complete the installation and testing of the equipment within 10 months. Within a year, the company will also train the hospital’s physicians to use the machines. Ninh Binh General Hospital is a second-class hospital which became operational in 2010 with 700 beds. Germany helps Vietnam deal with soil pollution German experts shared experience with Vietnam in combating soil pollution at a seminar in Hanoi on … [Read more...] about SOCIETY IN BRIEF 16/5
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 14/5
Local footwear firms urged to develop effective supply The domestic leather and footwear industry should work to build up its raw material supply chains to ensure sustainable future development. That was the suggestion from the Ministry of Industry and Trade in a recent statement offering growth advice. The industry needed to invest more in raw materials as it was too reliant on imported parts, the ministry said, adding this meant the sector was vulnerable to price volatilities in the world market. The ministry also encouraged footwear producers to restructure and expand retail networks, while paying more attention to advertising their trademarks in the international arena and seeking new export outlets. The country's footwear exports hit US$2.25 million over the past four months, up 9 per cent year-on-year, according to the ministry's statistics. Local experts said the industry had enjoyed favourable conditions for boosting exports as most local businesses received steady orders … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 14/5