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Riccardo Puliti, IFC’s new regional vice president for Asia and the Pacific. — Photo courtesy of IFC Riccardo Puliti, who was on Wednesday appointed IFC’s new regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, will focus on addressing multiple crises amid global economic slowdown. An Italian national, Puliti will oversee IFC’s regional efforts in spurring private sector growth and identifying impactful collaborations for a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery in response to multiple crises and a deteriorating global economic outlook. Economies in the Asia and Pacific region continue to suffer from COVID-19 disruptions. At the same time, Russia’s war in Ukraine, tightening global financial conditions, weaker global growth, and more frequent disruptive weather events linked to climate change threaten to dampen the region’s growth trajectory, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. In taking on the role of IFC’s Vice President for Asia and the … [Read more...] about IFC appoints new regional Asia-Pacific VP

Dao Van Chieu, from the north-central province of Thanh Hoa, said that he received a call on Monday, his first day back in the city after a visit to his hometown for Tet . "They offered me a job listening to music and liking songs on an online music site for VND10,000 (43 cents) per song," Chieu said. Despite having previously read warnings about online tricksters, he still tried out the gig as a way to investigate and possibly warn other people of the scam. "They actually paid me VND10,000," Chieu said, "then they tempted me to send in money for high commission. The online group they established had attracted nearly 4,000 members." As soon as he joined the group, his phone began receiving a relentless flow of chat notifications. Every time someone completed a task, they would send a message to the group. "Receiving hundreds of messages means hundreds of people believed in the system and had completed the tasks," Chieu said. "Among them, many might have been deceived." … [Read more...] about Hundreds fall for post-Tet online scams

The government's rebranding campaign, "Hello, Hong Kong", bills itself as an effort to tell "good stories" about the southern Chinese city. Promising "no isolation, no quarantine and no restrictions" during a speech to business and tourism heavyweights, Chief Executive John Lee announced 500,000 free air tickets for visitors to experience the city's "hustle and bustle." The giveaway will open in March, with another 80,000 tickets up for grabs to residents in the summer. "This, ladies and gentlemen, is probably the world's biggest welcome ever," Lee said. Adherence to Beijing's zero-Covid doctrine of quarantine, closed borders and face masks kept Hong Kong largely virus-free until a deadly Omicron outbreak at the start of 2022. But it also contributed to an economic recession and the exodus of more than 2.5% of the population. Even as business leaders warned Hong Kong would need a full Covid exit plan before any meaningful reboot, officials insisted on gradually rolling back … [Read more...] about Hong Kong offers free flights after Covid isolation

By the end of December 31 the national flag carrier alone (not including its subsidiaries) was recording an accumulated loss of VND34.2 trillion ($1.46 billion). Its equity was a negative VND10.2 trillion. Vietnam Airlines still needs to publish its consolidated financial statement, which would include the earnings of its subsidiaries. If the report shows an accumulated loss, 2022 would be the third straight year the airline has posted a loss and its shares will be delisted from the HoSE. Under the current regulation, a company will have its ticker delisted if it reports losses for three consecutive years, its accumulated losses exceed the charter capital, or its equity is negative. The last time Vietnam Airlines received this warning was in September last year when it reported an accumulated loss of over VND5.1 trillion. The two years of Covid-19 created major difficulties for Vietnam Airlines and its subsidiaries Pacific Airlines and Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO). … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines once again threatened with delisting

Luan provides the service to strangers for a small fee, and to friends for free. The artificial intelligence (AI) app chats with users as though it were a human being with the ability to apply encyclopedic knowledge in a variety of ways. More than one million people around the globe signed up for the app during the first week of its release in early December of last year. The AI-based chatbot became highly sought-after in Vietnam shortly thereafter. Luan said he received about 300 requests to create accounts with the chatbot in December. By mid-January, ChatGPT had taken the world by storm and the number of global users had skyrocketed. ChatGPT had signed up 10 million subscribers across the world 40 days after its launch. According to Google Trends statistics over the past three days, "ChatGPT" and "OpenAI" (the U.S. startup that created ChatGPT) have been two of the most searched keywords in Vietnam. Luan said the number of account set up requests he received last … [Read more...] about AI trend ChatGPT taking over Vietnam

The country is forecast to be the second-fastest growing economy in Asia-Pacific this year. Vietnam would continue to prioritize macroeconomic stability and containing inflation in anticipation of greater challenges from both domestic and international fronts in 2023. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the meeting. Photos: VGP Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave the remarks during a monthly Government meeting today [February 2]. According to Chinh, Vietnam’s socioeconomic performance in January has been positive with strong results in all fields and sectors, especially in industries, agriculture, and tourism. The World Bank in its latest global economic outlook report forecast Vietnam’s GDP in 2023 at 6.3% year on year, down 0.2% from the previous assessment, but still the second highest in Asia-Pacific. In addition to economic development, the authorities have taken measures to ensure social welfare and provided financial support for 25 million eligible … [Read more...] about Vietnam prioritizes macroeconomic stability in 2023: PM

The proposals suggested amending and supplementing some articles of the law on the guard force, and revising the Employment Law and the draft Law on Water Resources. The meeting also looked into proposals on the Government’s law and ordinance building program in 2024, adjustments to the 2023 Law and Ordinance Building Program, and the building of a national database center, among others. The participants shared their view on the need to issue such laws as well as their compatibility with other legal documents and international practice. PM Pham Minh Chinh asked ministries that submitted the proposals to seriously consider opinions raised by Cabinet members, and complete the proposals, noting that feedback from experts, scientists, activists and affected individuals should continue to be collected during the building and perfection of laws and institutions. The leader also emphasized the communication work before and during the law building, and after the issuance to create … [Read more...] about Prime Minister chairs Government’s monthly law-building meeting

ChatGPT and AI is set to boom in Vietnam In the early days of 2023, ChatGPT released by OpenAI is becoming popular all over the world. ChatGPT is a chatbot providing solutions to complex problems directly like composing essays, coding, and drafting business proposals. Within a few seconds after entering keywords, ChatGPT will provide text, images, audio, and other entertainment media in excellent quality. Just a few weeks after launching, this “super AI” has reached over 10 million users and has rapid growth. This success helps OpenAI negotiate an investment agreement worth $30 billion, more than double its valuation in 2021. After investing $1 billion in ChatGPT in 2019, Microsoft is planning to invest another $10 billion in exchange for 49 per cent of OpenAI's stake. This tech giant is considering integrating ChatGPT into Word, Powerpoint, Outlook, and even the Bing search engine to compete for market share with Google Search. Eric Boyd, CVP of AI Platform at Microsoft, … [Read more...] about ChatGPT and AI booms in Vietnam

With the RIVER series, EcoFlow provides a wide selection of portable power systems perfectly designed for camping trips. —Photo courtesy of the company EcoFlow, an eco-friendly energy solutions company, has introduced a series of power and renewable energy solutions to the Vietnamese market, offering the best solutions for the best possible chance to have a wonderful camping trip. EcoFlow provides a wide selection of portable power systems perfectly designed for camping trips. With the RIVER series, campers can have plenty of backup energy in a compact device. The RIVER Pro is the most powerful in the series and comes with three AC outlets and a combined 600w output, while the RIVER Mini, with a weight of just 2.8kg, is the perfect size to carry in a backpack while still pumping out nearly 300w of power. If you prefer to prepare for any incident, invest in reliable backup power to recharge your portable power station. The EcoFlow Portable Solar Panels attach to your RIVER PPS … [Read more...] about EcoFlow introduces a series of power and renewable energy solutions in Viet Nam

Chairing the Government’s monthly teleconference with localities on February 2, PM Pham Minh Chinh requested keeping a close watch on the domestic and foreign market situation. He asked for extensive monitoring of product price and inflation to enable a quick response to the current situation. He also requested timely forecasts and risk warnings while adopting a sound, flexible and effective monetary policy in close and synchronous combination with monetary, fiscal and other policies. The PM also requested that associated ministries ensure the liquidity and safety of credit organizations, gearing credit into production and trade, priority areas and growth pillars. Another important topic is stepping up cashless payment, while tackling difficulties for real estate market, prioritizing capital for transparent and effective enterprises, and enhancing social investment attraction and public-private partnership. Localities need to take initiative for the disbursement of public … [Read more...] about Macro-economic stability, inflation control continue to be priority: Prime Minister