SINGAPORE - A technical glitch at entry points into Singapore led to rare delays at one of the world's busiest airports on Friday, with snaking queues and disgruntled passengers for several hours as automated immigration lanes suffered problems. The city-state's immigration authority said it had "resumed normalcy" at checkpoints by 4 p.m. local time (0800 GMT) and was investigating the cause of the disruption, after earlier reporting "system slowness" at selected checkpoints, including, Changi Airport and two land border crossings with Malaysia. Changi, one of the busiest gateways in the world, had warned passengers to expect delays and authorities urged postponement of non-essential travel. Passengers queue at the departure hall of Changi Airport Terminal 3 in Singapore March 31, 2023. Photo: Reuters It handles nearly 150,000 passengers a day while about 300,000 people cross daily at the Woodlands and Tuas causeways linking Singapore with Malaysia. Posts on … [Read more...] about Singapore sees rare travel delays as tech problem hits immigration checkpoints
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Hanoi targets annual export growth of 5.5% until 2030
The plan's implementation seeks to capitalize on Hanoi's import-export advantages and promote the city's socioeconomic development toward green growth and rapid and sustainable progress. Hanoi aims to sustain an annual export growth rate of 4.4-5% between 2023 and 2025 and 5.1-5.5% between 2023 and 2030. Electronics production at Channel Well Technology Vietnam at Quang Minh Industrial Park, Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times The goals were included in the action plan to achieve Hanoi's import-export strategy until 2030, which was signed off on March 30 by Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen. The implementation of this plan seeks to leverage Hanoi's import-export advantages and support its socioeconomic development toward green growth, rapid and sustainable progress, and a stable growth rate in import-export activities. The emphasis is on the direct export promotion of key and advantageous city goods and attracting … [Read more...] about Hanoi targets annual export growth of 5.5% until 2030
Border troops provide emergency aid for foreigner
The ill sailor was Liu Aihua (46 years old, a Chinese national) who was chief mechanic of Panama’s container ship MIYUNHE, which was en route from Vietnam’s Cat Lai Port to China. When the ship was near Quy Nhon Port in Binh Dinh province, Liu Aihua had pain, and the ship applied for procedures to anchor at buoy No.0. After being reported on the case, the Binh Dinh provincial Border Guard Command directed the Border Post of Quy Nhon Port Border Gate to send five officers and one canoe to cooperate with relevant agencies to approach and provide emergency aid for the sailor and take him to Mui Tan border checkpoint. Patient Liu Aihua was then taken to Binh Dinh General Hospital. Translated by Chung Anh … [Read more...] about Border troops provide emergency aid for foreigner
State budget revenue up 1.3% in Q1
At a press conference on March 30 to report the collection of State budget in the first quarter of 2023 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - State budget revenue reached an estimated 491.5 trillion VND (over 20.9 billion USD) in the first quarter of 2023, equivalent to 30.3% of the estimate, and up 1.3% from the same period last year, the Ministry of Finance reported on March 30. Twenty-eight of the 63 provinces and centrally-run cities nationwide recorded state budget revenue hitting 28% of their yearly estimates. Twenty-three provinces and centrally-run cities saw the higher revenues than in the same period of 2022, while 40 others reported lower revenues. Meanwhile, the accumulated expenditure in the first quarter was equivalent to 17.5% of the yearly estimate. The Ministry of Finance said expenditures in the last three months were carried out as planned, meeting requirements for socio-economic development, defence, security safeguarding, state management, debt repayment, and … [Read more...] about State budget revenue up 1.3% in Q1
This young man is the backbone of Vietnam’s community library network
Phung Ba Hung was recently named amongst the recipients of the Fulbright Master’s Program Scholarship so that he can continue to spread his love for reading in Vietnam. Hung’s passion for reading began when he was a child. It was not until after he graduated from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi with a degree in journalism and media studies that he started sharing his passion with others through the launch of Duong Lieu. Duong Lieu is a private library he opened in his living room designed to create a safe space for neighborhood children to lose themselves in the magic of literature. When Hung, 33, launched Duong Lieu in 2013, the few private libraries that existed in his Hanoian neighborhood were primarily run by retired teachers, veterans, and the elderly. While these libraries were appreciated by many, they were not particularly approachable and child-friendly. “My knowledge of journalism and media has really … [Read more...] about This young man is the backbone of Vietnam’s community library network
Global dealmaking sinks to lowest level in over a decade
NEW YORK/LONDON -- Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity shrank to its lowest level in more than a decade in the first quarter of 2023, as rising interest rates, high inflation and fears of a recession soured the appetite of companies for dealmaking. M&A volumes during the first quarter slumped 48% to $575.1 billion as of March 30, compared to $1.1 trillion during the same period last year, according to data from Dealogic. A banking crisis that started in the United States this month with Silicon Valley Bank and spread to Europe with the Swiss government-orchestrated sale of Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN.S) to UBS Group AG (UBSG.S) roiled markets and stopped many deals in their tracks, investment bankers and lawyers said. "The first quarter had extraordinary levels of volatility and uncertainty - more than expected going into the year. And that has the impact of postponing some announcements," said Anu Aiyengar, global head of M&A at JPMorgan Chase & … [Read more...] about Global dealmaking sinks to lowest level in over a decade
Viet Nam remains favoured destination for global investors
Speakers at the Vietnam Innovation Forum titled “Sailing the digital sea” in HCM City on Thursday. — Photo Courtesy of NIC Investors hold an optimistic view of the country’s start-up eco-system, according to the 2023 Viet Nam Innovation and Tech Investment Report. Released by the Viet Nam National Innovation Centre (NIC) and Do Ventures at the Vietnam Innovation Forum titled “Sailing the digital sea” in HCM City on Thursday, it was the third annual report. It said: “Despite the turbulent global investment climate, Viet Nam remains a favoured destination for investors due to its sturdy economic growth and skilled young workforce.” The most common advice given to start-ups was to focus on the fundamental aspects of business, utilise capital wisely with a strategic approach and adjust to changes in the economic climate. The country's venture capital developments began to reflect global economic distress. So, despite a strong economic rebound, there was a 56 per cent decline … [Read more...] about Viet Nam remains favoured destination for global investors
VN-Index inks March’s last session in blue with ninth straight gaining session
Almaz conference centre in Vinhomes Riverside, Ha Noi. Vinhomes (VHM) topped the list of stocks pulling the VN-Index most on Friday. — VNS Photo Mai Huong The VN-Index closed at a one-month high in the first quarter’s last trading session, supported by strong buys of both domestic and foreign traders. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index ended up 0.49 per cent at 1,064.64 points, extending its rally streak to nine consecutive sessions. Meanwhile, the HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange increased for a second day, up 0.75 per cent to close at 207.5 points. It inched up 0.2 per cent on Thursday. Liquidity in the afternoon session grew by 57 per cent compared to the morning, totaling 723.5 million shares worth VND13 trillion (US$552 million), the highest in more than a month. According to analysts, a long gaining streak showed investors’ expectations near the closing time of the net asset value of funds, pushing up many stocks. On average, this week saw the best … [Read more...] about VN-Index inks March’s last session in blue with ninth straight gaining session
Red River Delta – national economic powerhouse: Official
Inspectors examine a container at Cai Lan port in Quang Ninh province. More ports need to be built to promote inter-regional ties. (Photo: VNA) Thai Binh (VNA) - The Red River Delta is a region of geopolitical, economic, cultural, and social importance to Vietnam , according to Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung. The minister made the remarks at a seminar "Promoting investment, trade, and services to strengthen inter-regional ties" held on March 30 in Thai Binh province. He said in more than 15 years, the region saw a remarkable economic advancement with an average annual growth rate of 8.93%, far higher than the country's level. In 2022, its GDP hit 2.89 quadrillion VND (123 billion USD), contributing to nearly one-third of the national GDP. Its income per capita was 1.3 times as high as the national average, at 123.4 million VND per annum. Despite the impressive economic growth, the region still faces some major obstacles. First, its transition … [Read more...] about Red River Delta – national economic powerhouse: Official
German-funded project supports Vietnam in implementing Paris Agreement
The project was funded by the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) under the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) from 2019 to 2023. Addressing the event, Tang The Cuong, Director of the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said as one of the countries that are hardest hit by climate change, Vietnam has made strong commitments to joining hands with the international community in responding to climate change. The Government of Vietnam ratified the Paris Climate Accords in 2016 and issued a plan to implement the agreement. At the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), the Vietnamese Prime Minister announced Vietnam’s commitment to net-zero emission by 2050. As part of efforts to realise the commitment, Vietnam has significantly increased its contribution to greenhouse gas emission reductions in the updated … [Read more...] about German-funded project supports Vietnam in implementing Paris Agreement