World no 1 agricultural country

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia's state-owned electricity company PLN has axed a project to develop a coal-fired power plant as the country chases its long-delayed commitments to cut carbon dioxide emissions . PLN vice president of corporate communications Gregorius Adi Trianto confirmed that the company had canceled its plan to build the 1-gigawatt (GW) plant in Indramayu, West Java. It proactively stopped borrowing funds for the project as part of PLN's efforts to reach the country’s carbon neutral goal by 2060, Gregorius was quoted by local media as saying. The project’s termination came after Japan announced that it had canceled a plan to provide a loan worth 1.7 billion (12.55 million USD) for developing the Indramayu plant amid growing international criticism of coal power plants, a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. According to Indonesia ’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, total investment in the power sector reached 700 million USD in the first … [Read more...] about Indonesia cancels giant coal-fired power project

On a street in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo:AFP/VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia’s economic recovery remains in sight with a better trend as signalled by Malaysia's macroeconomic performance in April 2022 amid global uncertainty, said the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM). Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in a statement that Malaysia is blessed with natural resources and commodities such as petroleum products and palm oil. As a net commodity exporter, Malaysia also benefits from higher commodity prices resulting in the country’s total trade chalking up a double-digit annual growth of 21.3% to 231.4 billion RM, he said. Exports rose 20.7% to 27.5 billion RM while imports went up 22% to 103.9 billion RM. The trade balance rose 15.7% and continued to remain in surplus at 23.5 billion RM. Malaysia's trade performance in May 2022 remained resilient, recording the fastest growth since November 2021, with total trade surpassing 1 … [Read more...] about Malaysia witnesses strong economic recovery

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has afffirmed that the government will seek measures to deal with the rising prices of commodities. Speaking at a tourism event on July 3, the PM said that currently, the Malaysian has spent a subsidy of 17.6 billion USD to stabilise the prices of necesities such as chicken, eggs, cooking oil, water, petrol and electricity. The country has given a number of short, middle and long-term solutions to easr people’s burden from rising prices of commodities , he said. He underlined that the Malaysian Government will continue to focus on programmes and initiatives that bring about prosperity and interest to people, ensuring that no one is left behind. Earlier, the Malaysian PM said that the country will set up a Food Security Committee to ensure the effective implementation of its national food security policies in the 2021-2025 period. A special taskforce will also be formed to control inflation, he … [Read more...] about Malaysia rolls out measures to stabilise commodities’ prices

According to GSO, the country's socio-economic development in the first six months of 2022 has prospered in most industries and fields, especially processing and manufacturing industry ; retail sales of consumer goods and services; and exports. The agriculture-forestry-fishery sector increased 3%, contributing 4.5% to the overall growth of the economy. The industry and construction sector was up 8.9%, making up 46.8%, while the service sector rose by 8.6 percent, contributing 48.6 percent to the general GDP growth. In the January – June period, the country's GDP grew by 6.4%, higher than 2% and 5.7% growth rates of the same periods in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In terms of economic structure in the first two quarters, the agriculture-forestry-fishery sector accounted for 11% of the country’s economy; the industry-construction and service sectors made up 39.3% and 40.6%, respectively, the GSO said./. VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s GDP expands 7.72% in Q2

According to Acting Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade Dang Van Tuan, foreign-invested enterprises accounted for 80% of the province’s total export turnover. The province has so far attracted 326 projects with a total registered investment capital of VND 82.4 trillion (USD 3.5 billion), including 129 foreign-invested ones worth a combined USD 2.73 billion. Tuan attributed the export growth to attractive investment policies and timely assistance to enterprises along with the diversification of export markets. Local businesses have been also encouraged to expand exports to countries that are part of free trade agreements which Vietnam is a member of, he said, adding that the province will continue to strengthen trade promotion and facilitate the export of key agricultural products with competitive advantages such as rice, processed seafood and specialty fruits. Tuan also said that the province has set the target of an average export growth rate of 7-8% … [Read more...] about Tien Giang’s export turnover up 18.5% in H1

Hanoi, (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries over the weekend by the Vietnam News Agency. – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered faster administration of the third and fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine as part of measures against the unpredictable pandemic situation, especially when the sub-variant BA.5 has appeared in Vietnam and raised the risk of a new wave of coronavirus infections. According to the Government Office, to enhance pandemic control and create favourable conditions for socio-economic recovery and development, the Government leader has assigned Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam to continue directing the Ministry of Health, other ministries and sectors, and 63 provincial-level localities to drastically carry out anti-pandemic measures, especially accelerating COVID-19 vaccination. Read full story - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's visits to Hungary and the UK from June 26-30 concluded successfully, thus greatly promoting the … [Read more...] about ☀ Morning digest on July 4

The Business Climate Index is the leading indicator of the European business and investment community in Vietnam. European businesses in Vietnam expressed their positiveness about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth, according to the latest Business Climate Index (BCI) released by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and YouGov Vietnam. CEOs of European businesses gather an event in Ho Chi Minh City last April. Photo: EuroCham According to the BCI, nearly 80% of participants said their assessment of Vietnam’s green development potential improved from the first quarter of this year. About 44% of the respondents have good and excellent outlook regarding the potential for Vietnam’s green and sustainable development. Regarding the link between green growth and foreign-direct investment (FDI), nearly 90% of the respondents believed Vietnam should accelerate green sector development to attract more foreign investment. EuroCham Chairman Alain … [Read more...] about European businesses positive about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth

Three major cities of Vietnam are distinguished with the annual prestigious awards of Travel & Leisure. The United States-based magazine Travel & Leisure has recently unveiled its 2022 Asia’s Best Awards with suggestions about the best travel destinations around the world. Accordingly, Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City are among the Top Ten “Best Cities in Southeast Asia” Hanoi- the thousand-year-old charming city President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi. Photo: Cao Anh Tuan Ranked fifth on the list of Travel & Leisure , the charming capital city of Vietnam- Hanoi is a must-see travel destination for foreign travelers to the country. The fact is that the city is very peaceful and very welcoming to foreigners. It has a low crime rate, great tropical weather, and is easy to balance work life and fun, according to Bill Noland, an Aussie digital nomad in Hanoi. “It takes me around VND10 million or $428 for a convenient accommodation … [Read more...] about Hanoi among Top 10 cities in Southeast Asia

He pointed out that the world situation developed complicatedly over the past time with strategic competitiveness, the conflict in Ukraine, soaring fuel prices, escalating inflation in many countries, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, among others. The pressure of high inflation, surging commodity prices and disrupted supply chains could be felt in Vietnam, the PM continued. However, under the sound leadership of the Party led by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and with the support of the National Assembly and the drastic management of the Government, engagement of ministries, agencies, localities, people and businesses, and the support of international friends, Vietnam has brought the pandemic under control and ensured macro-economic stability and major economic balances. The country has also worked to safeguard its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; maintain social security, order and safety; intensify external relations; step up administrative reform and … [Read more...] about Cabinet meeting looks into socio-economic situation

Optimistic exports In 2021, despite COVID-19, Vietnam's goods exports to CPTPP markets recorded encouraging achievements. Japan became the largest CPTPP importer of Vietnamese goods, accounting for more than 52 percent of Vietnam’s export value to the bloc. Meanwhile, exports to Chile and Peru increased 85 and 128 percent over the previous year. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the CPTPP bloc has contributed 15 percent to the global gross domestic product (GDP) and trade. The zeroing of import duties by large markets, such as Japan and Canada, will help Vietnam increase its export value. Vietnam’s major exports, including farm produce and seafood, electricity and electronics, became tax-freed ones as soon as the CPTPP came into effect. The Ministry of Planning and Investment has predicted Vietnam's exports would likely increase 4.04 percent by 2035. Having FTA relations with CPTPP countries will offer Vietnam opportunities to restructure its import and export … [Read more...] about Pacific Rim trade deal boosts Vietnam’s economy