Noting that Binh Thuan is referred to as a "transportation hub" that connects the North central and central coastal regions with the southern key economic region, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said with existing potential and advantages as well as socio-economic achievements in recent years, Binh Thuan will have all the important conditions to make a strong breakthrough when the eastern section of the north-south expressway is open to traffic and Phan Thiet airport is put into operation. He asked the province to promptly submit its master plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050, stressing that it needs to identify new growth drivers and production capability in the development process as well as try harder to draw investment in industrial parks. Further attention should be paid to cultural-sport-tourism activities, health care, education, social welfare and sustainable poverty reduction, he said. In the morning the same day, Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue offered incense and paid … [Read more...] about N.A. Chairman holds working session with Binh Thuan leaders
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Japan’s SMBC acquires 15% stake in VPBank for US$1.5 billion
The agreement surpasses the VND20 trillion ($850 million) acquisition of a 15% stake in BIDV from KEB Hana Bank (South Korea) in 2019, setting a new record in the banking industry. VPBank announced that it has completed the sale of a 15% equity interest to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. of Japan, a member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, in a transaction valued at $1.5 billion. CEO of SMBC Masahiro Yoshimura and Chairman of the Board of Directors at VPBank Nguyen Chi Dung at the signing ceremony today. Photo: VPBank SMBC Group's latest deal with VPBank makes the former a new strategic investor in the latter. The agreement sets a new banking industry record, with a deal value of VND35.9 trillion ($1.5 billion), surpassing the VND20 trillion ($850 million) acquisition of a 15% stake in BIDV from South Korea's KEB Hana Bank in 2019. The investment is expected to increase VPBank's total capital from VND103.5 trillion ($4.4 billion) to around VND140 trillion … [Read more...] about Japan’s SMBC acquires 15% stake in VPBank for US$1.5 billion
Hanoi to allow advertising rights in exchange for 600 bus stop shelters
Some 600 new European standard shelters will be built at public bus stops in Hanoi city. Hanoi will allow investors to build advertising boards in exchange for 600 modern bus stop shelters and shelter displays worth VND1 trillion (US$43 million) in 12 urban districts, Kinhtedothi.vn reported. The move is part of efforts to encourage Hanoi’s residents to turn to public transportation for mobility, thus easing the number of cars on road and improving air quality. Hanoi to have 600 new bus stop shelters Currently, there are 1,078 bus stops in Hanoi's downtown, but only 365 of them have shelters. The shelters are built by different investors, which make them apprear ununiform. According to the municipal People's Committee, 600 new European standard shelters will be built at public bus stops in the city under the PPP funding mechanism. Among them, 270 shelters will be newly installed and the other 330 will be replaced. In exchange, 1,200 advertising boards … [Read more...] about Hanoi to allow advertising rights in exchange for 600 bus stop shelters
50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City
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. Ho Chi Minh City, for its part, has actively worked to promote cooperation with Italy, Mai noted, adding that the relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Italy have reaped achievements in trade, investment, education and training, culture, and tourism. According to the official, the two-way trade reached 591 million USD last year. For … [Read more...] about 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City launches first international electronic training centre
Huynh Tan Buu, General Director of Sun Electronics, said that the center provides training programs up to the International Process Control (IPC) standard. The programs are designed and taught by Vietnamese experts who have worked for many years in large electronic corporations in Silicon Valley in the U.S. The IETC targets engineers working in enterprises, recent graduates from universities and colleges, and entrepreneurs starting up in the field of electronics and microchips, he said. For his part, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat held that the centre is an important factor for the establishment of an electronic and semiconductor industry ecosystem of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and the whole country in general. He said that science and technology research and development for the electronics and semiconductor industry has always been one of Vietnam's priority orientations over the past years. The Ministry of Science and Technology has proposed the … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City launches first international electronic training centre
Significant efforts needed to realize 4.3-billion-USD shrimp exports
He attributed the obstacles to global fluctuations over armed conflicts, climate change, tightening food safety requirements by importing countries, and high inflation in the US. Data from the Vietnam Directorate of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) showed the total brackish water shrimp farming area was 747,000 hectares last year, with total output exceeding 1 million tons, up 8.5% year-on-year. Currently, the country houses 2,294 hectares of shrimp breeding area, which turned out 159.5 billion shrimplets in 2022, an annual increase of 10%. This year, Vietnam aims to expand its shrimp farming area to 750,000 hectares for more than 1 million tonnes in output and 4.3 billion USD in export revenue. Trinh Trung Phi, a technical director at the Vietnamese shrimp company Viet Uc, highlighted the importance of sustainable technological solutions in the growth of the sector. MARD Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said that in order to reach the … [Read more...] about Significant efforts needed to realize 4.3-billion-USD shrimp exports
Guyana wishes to strengthen ties with Vietnam in various areas
At a reception for the diplomat, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said he hopes Vietnam will assist Guyana in agriculture, animal husbandry and cultivation. Hoa vowed to work to develop the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two governments and peoples in her position. On March 21, Hoa paid a courtesy call on Guyanese Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of Guyana Oneidge Walrond who pledged to offer all possible support to Vietnamese firms to access Guyana’s market and wished to learn from Vietnam’s experience in ecological tourism development. During a working session with the Vietnamese diplomat a day later, Guyanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hilton Todd promised to support Vietnam at multilateral forums and facilitate the exchange of all-level delegations in the near future. Elizabeth Harper, standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana, announced that two countries will soon offer visa exemption to their diplomatic … [Read more...] about Guyana wishes to strengthen ties with Vietnam in various areas
Ho Chi Minh City leader visits Mexico to boost ties
Meeting Politburo member of the Mexican Labor Party (PT) and Chairman of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies’ Committee on Foreign Affairs Alfredo Femat Bañuelos during his ongoing working trip to the Latin American country from March 22-27, Hai said the Party organization of HCM City wishes to contribute to maintaining and bolstering fine relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the PT. He believed that following the visit, both sides will continue holding programs and events to promote cultural and tourism exchange between Ho Chi Minh City and Mexico. Bañuelos, for his part, said Mexico desires to step up cooperation programs between the two parties in general and with Ho Chi Minh City in particular, especially in acupuncture and personnel training. He said such programs not only popularize Vietnam's images in Mexico and Latin America but also enhance the PT’s reputation domestically and regionally. The host vowed to continue expanding the scope of cooperation to … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City leader visits Mexico to boost ties
Visa upgrade at heart of fresh approach to tourism
Visas, service quality, and technology were all part of discussions on a better-performing tourism sector Photo: Cuong Minh May’s National Assembly session is likely to help push ahead a revamp of the country’s rules on entry and exit for foreign visitors, after the Ministry of Public Security crafts amendments to the current law. The development will be an important basis for the issuance of new regulations related to the visa policy, removing difficulties for the tourism industry, and creating conditions to attract more international visitors this year, according to most observers. Dang Tuan Viet, deputy director of the Ministry of Public Secrutity’s (MoPS) Vietnam Immigration Department, said that the proposal emphasised two major areas related to unilateral visa exemption and electronic visa policy. The MoPS also proposes to expand the number of countries that can issue e-visas from 80 countries to the maximum. The MoPS will also ask to increase the temporary stay … [Read more...] about Visa upgrade at heart of fresh approach to tourism
Vietnamese female entrepreneurs take the lead in boosting green growth
The event saw the participation of representatives from 31 women's associations from across the country. The seminar's aim was to promote sustainable growth and development within the female-led business community in Vietnam and share developments in sustainable practices and integrating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). The conference was part of a larger sustainable business development initiative, officially launched by VAWE in 2022, that focuses on reducing emissions and negative impacts on the environment and society, as well as integrating ESG into corporate values. In attendance was Ton Ngoc Hanh, vice chairwoman of the Vietnam Women's Union, who said, "This seminar encourages a spirit of responsibility in Vietnam's female business community, showing the commitment and determination of everyone here to join hands with the government in achieving the goal of green growth, and to contribute effectively to sustainable development in the country. " Nguyen … [Read more...] about Vietnamese female entrepreneurs take the lead in boosting green growth