Countries involved in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership face an aggressive American push for corporate-friendly trade rules that would force millions to pay more for drugs Commuters ride neat a truck carrying a poster advertising World's AIDS Day in Hanoi. The US is seeking to hand stronger monopolies to the drug industry in the ongoing negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Health activists say this move threatens access to affordable treatment, particularly in developing countries like Vietnam. PHOTO: AFP Vietnamese, already squeezed by high drug prices, are likely to pay even more if their country yields to a US proposal aimed at beefing up protection for American Big Pharma in a regional free-trade pact, critics say. The US is seeking to hand stronger monopolies to the drug industry in the ongoing negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, according to a document released November 13 by WikiLeaks. Health activists say this move threatens … [Read more...] about Vietnam, other developing nations could lose as US seeks largesse for Big Pharma
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BUSINESS IN BRIEF 20/11
Market management co-operation with neighbour nations tightened Two memoranda of understanding were signed yesterday to boost market management co-operation between the Market Watch Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Ministry and its counterparts in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Under the MoUs, each side will exchange information on mechanisms, policies and legal documents, collaborate to run action programmes and organise training courses to improve the skills of market watch staff. The memoranda were signed at the first market watch co-operation conference hosted by Viet Nam yesterday. The conference aimed to help the four countries thoroughly understand their functions and duties in controlling the market to effectively run the memoranda. All four sides admitted that shortcomings remained in their ability to control the market due to imperfect legal frameworks and poor co-operation among relevant agencies. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 20/11
Vietnam-Australia eye care project reviewed
The Ministry of Public Health on July 23 hosted a conference to review the implementation of the Vietnam-Australia Vision Support Programme (VAVSP), which is being conducted in the provinces of Quang Nam , Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Thanh Hoa. The ministry has cooperated with the Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and other non-governmental organisations conducting the project since June 2011 to June-2013. Funded by the Australian Government through AusAID, the project aims to set up a pilot eye care model in various localities in Vietnam to help the ministry establish a suitable model for the development of eye care services at district level and direct the application of models on the national scale. … [Read more...] about Vietnam-Australia eye care project reviewed
NEW OCEAN: Bridging Vietnam and Australia
Australia is considered an attractive address for Vietnamese students because it has a world-acclaimed education system. As we near the 40th anniversary of Vietnam - Australia diplomatic relations, the Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Ms Pham Thi Duong, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of New Ocean Investment Joint Stock Company, which has become a prestigious bridge for study and cultural exchange between Vietnam and Australia. Quang Sang reports. How do you assess the study environment in Australia in comparison with that of Singapore, Japan, South Korea or other countries? The climate in Australia is suitable for Vietnamese people to study, to live, and to travel. Australia is known for its very friendly and hospitable people who are always open and ready to help you to integrate into their environment. As regards the education market, as we all know, Australia is a very good study destination because of professional training quality and internationally recognised … [Read more...] about NEW OCEAN: Bridging Vietnam and Australia
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 31/1
Vinachem to accelerate apatite projects The Viet Nam Chemical National Group (Vinachem) will focus on investment of apatite exploitation projects this year, said the group’s deputy general director Bui The Chuyen.Chuyen said the group would accelerate completing procedures to get licences for apatite projects such as mines 18, 19, Ngoi Dum Dong Ho, Cam Duong 2 and mine 26 of Apatite Viet Nam One Member Limited Company.Vinachem will resolve material issues to implement the expansion project of Bac Nhac Son Apatite Ore Plant in the northern mountainous Lao Cai Province, he said.In addition, Vinachem will quickly complete investment preparation for improving the quality of NPK Fertiliser Plant of Binh Dien Fertiliser Company in southern Long An Province, with a total capacity of 200,000 tonnes a year, Chuyen said.According to Vinachem’s report, production and trading of the Apatite Viet Nam One Member Limited Company is faced with difficulties as the … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 31/1