Vietnam now sees a sharp increase in rice orders from the Philippines and China. Acccording to Pham Thai Binh, General Director of Trung An Hi-tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, the company has signed an order to export 2,000 tonnes of rice to China and is under negotiation for another batch of 20,000 tons. Statistics from the General Administration of Vietnam Customs show that in the first two months of this year, China imported 152,640 tons of rice from Vietnam worth 90 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 86% in volume and 120% in value. Vietnamese rice exported to China enjoyed an average price of 589.7 USD per ton, 18.3% higher than that of the same period last year. Chinese customers mainly imported Vietnam’s high-quality rice like fragrant rice and sticky rice with high prices. Meanwhile, the Philippines is anticipated to import about 2.8 million tons of rice from Vietnam during the 2022-2023 crop because the country’s rice … [Read more...] about Vietnam expected to export 7 million tons of rice this year: Ministry
Vietnam booming economy
50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in HCM City
An art performance at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City organised a ceremony on March 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Italy (March 23, 1973-2023). In his remarks, Chairman of the People’s Committee Phan Van Mai highlighted the increasingly close ties between the two countries, saying over the past 50 years, the bilateral relationship has grown actively across spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The good traditional friendship has also been consolidated and enhanced, the official added. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam presented Italy with more than 300,000 masks, while Italy donated 2.8 million doses of vaccines to the Southeast Asian nation. This vividly demonstrates the intensive and effective strategic partnership and friendship between the two countries, he said. HCM City, for its part, has actively worked to promote cooperation with … [Read more...] about 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in HCM City
Vietnam, Italy agree on orientations to enhance Strategic Partnership
Vietnam ese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi (Photo: VNA) Rome (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi co-chaired the fifth political consultation between the two ministries to discuss orientations to promote the bilateral Strategic Partnership in the coming time. The two sides expressed their delight that the consultation was held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties, and the 10th founding anniversary of the Strategic Partnership. They highly appreciated outstanding results in bilateral economic cooperation with the two countries becoming each other's important trading partner in the region. Two-way trade reached more than 6.2 billion USD in 2022, up 11% year-on-year, thanks to … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Italy agree on orientations to enhance Strategic Partnership
Vietnam calls for comprehensive, all-society approach to waste management
Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa , Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has called for a comprehensive and all-society approach to sustainable waste management. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly’s session on zero waste – breakthrough solution to sustainable development goals (SDGs) on March 30, Thoa said sustainable waste management plays a crucial role in achieving the SDGs, especially Goal No.12 on sustainable production and consumption and Goal No.13 on climate change response. Fully aware that zero waste is a solution to climate change, Vietnam passed a national action plan on circular economy, with a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% of the total national income and reuse and recycle, and treat 85% of the plastic waste, as well as reduce plastic waste in the … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls for comprehensive, all-society approach to waste management
Vietnam, Italy agree on orientations to enhance strategic partnership
The two sides expressed their delight that the consultation was held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th founding anniversary of the strategic partnership. They highly appreciated outstanding results in bilateral economic cooperation with the two countries becoming each other's important trading partner in the region. Two-way trade reached more than 6.2 billion USD in 2022, up 11% year-on-year, thanks to positive impacts of the European Union - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed Vietnam hopes to develop and deepen its strategic partnership with Italy – a member state with an important role in the E.U. She proposed the two sides step up delegation exchanges; maintain the efficiency of bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the fields of diplomacy, defense, economy, and science and technology; and coordinate together in organizing celebrations this year. Regarding socio-economic recovery … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Italy agree on orientations to enhance strategic partnership
UOB trim GDP growth forecast for Vietnam
The call was due to the first quarter (Q1) of the year getting off to a slow start, likely hampering the total performance for the year. Vietnam’s real GDP growth in Q1/2023 decelerated to 3.32 per cent on-year, and from 5.92 per cent in Q2/2022, missing both the UOB and consensus forecasts. The main cause for the weak performance was due to manufacturing, which dipped into negative territory with a 0.4 per cent decline, for the first contraction since Q3/2021. The sector undershot estimates considerably and saw the slowest pace of expansion since that 6 per cent fall over 18 months ago, when the economy was in a state of shutdown during the pandemic. UOB said that the main cause for the manufacturing sector’s poor performance came primarily from weak external demand, which was largely expected. Exports in Q1 fell just under 12 per cent on-year to $79.2 billion, compared with an almost 13 per cent increase in the same quarter last year, while imports declined by over 14.5 per cent, … [Read more...] about UOB trim GDP growth forecast for Vietnam
Vietnam, Czech Republic strengthen education – training engagements
At a working session with Rector of the local University of South Bohemia (USB) Bohumil Jirousek, Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung lauded the establishment’s collaboration with its Vietnamese partners such as Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, University of Cuu Long and Nha Trang Fisheries University in fisheries development and management and water resources management. He proposed the USB enhance its joint work with Vietnamese universities in scientific research on digital transformation, green transition, renewable energy, circular economy, and climate change response, among others. He also suggested the university grant scholarships to Vietnamese students with excellent performances. At a meeting with Mayor of the Czech city Dagmar Skodova Parmova, the diplomat proposed that the official pay attention to facilitating the life and integration of the Vietnamese community living in the South Bohemia region. Dung recommended Ceske Budejovice consider … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Czech Republic strengthen education – training engagements
Central bank to cut deposit interest rate ceiling from Monday
It said the overnight electronic interbank rate would also be kept at the current level of 6.0%. The bank also said it will from Monday lower its refinance rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%, its latest move to support economic growth that bucks a trend among regional peers. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) said in a statement it would keep the discount rate unchanged at 3.5%. Earlier this month, the SBV cut several policy rates to increase liquidity and help spur growth, in what was a surprise move amid global financial turmoil. The announcement came just hours after a senior central bank official said the U.S. Federal Reserve's move to ease its rate hikes meant Vietnam would consider further cutting rates in future to spur growth. Vietnam's economic growth slowed to 3.32% in the first quarter, against a 5.92% expansion in the fourth quarter of 2022. The SBV pledged on Friday to keep monetary policy flexible for the rest of the year to support economic stability amid … [Read more...] about Central bank to cut deposit interest rate ceiling from Monday
Malaysia’s central bank optimistic on national economic growth
According to experts, Malaysia in particular will be a bright spot, contributing to reviving the world economy in the context of a gloomy economy. (Photo: theedgemarkets.com) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Bank Negara Malaysia on March 29 forecast that the country’s economy is projected to grow between 4-5% in 2023, amidst challenges rising from slowing global growth. The central bank said further improvement in labour market conditions, continued implementation of multi-year investment projects and higher tourism activities are expected to support private consumption and investment growth . BNM Governor Tan Sri Nor Shamsiah Yunus affirmed that the Malaysian economy will continue to grow and not fall into recession and the country's financial system will remain a source of strength for the economy in supporting the financial needs. According to experts, in 2023, the global economic environment still faces many challenges due to slow growth and tight monetary … [Read more...] about Malaysia’s central bank optimistic on national economic growth
Britain, building post-Brexit ties, to join trans-Pacific trade pact
Britain on Friday said it had struck a deal to join an 11-country trans-Pacific trade pact which includes Japan and Australia as it looks to deepen ties in the region and build its global trade links after leaving the European Union. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain had agreed to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), in a move his office said was the biggest trade deal since Brexit. A previous government impact assessment estimated the deal would add just 0.08% to GDP in the long term, but Britain has strategic - not just economic - motives, as it can now influence whether applicants China and Taiwan may join the group. "Joining the CPTPP trade bloc puts the UK at the centre of a dynamic and growing group of Pacific economies," Sunak said, adding the deal demonstrated "the real economic benefits of our post-Brexit freedoms." Britain has been looking to build trade ties following its departure from the EU in 2020, … [Read more...] about Britain, building post-Brexit ties, to join trans-Pacific trade pact