Minister meets innovators in Germany     

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung (second from the right) meets German executives. 

 Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung is learning about scientific research, technological innovation and personnel training in leading German corporations during his ongoing Germany visit at the invitation of German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier.

The Vietnamese delegation has visited a Siemens gas turbine factory, the SAP software company and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering.

Minister Dung expressed his wish that Siemens, SAP and Fraunhofer would invest more in Viet Nam by building solar panels and wind turbine plants to meet energy demand in the country and ASEAN, building new research and lab centres in Hoa Lac Hi-tech park.

Leaders of Siemens, SAP and Fraunhofer expressed their interest in the Vietnamese market, saying they have taken steps to boost technological co-operation between the two nations.

They spoke highly of the formation of the Viet Nam National Innovation Centre, saying it is a model to attract capital and brainpower from leading partners, including German companies.

Siemens is Germany’s leading multidisciplinary group, focusing on industry and high technology. After over 70 years of development, Siemens is now present in more than 190 countries, employs about 380,000 workers and generates more than US$90.8 billion in revenue. It is also a global leader in the gas turbine field.

The 47-year-old SAP has become the biggest software maker in Europe and the fourth largest in the world. In Viet Nam, it has assisted enterprises in finance, banking and aviation.

As one of the top research institutes of applied sciences, Fraunhofer forms close partnership with the State and businesses by commercialising products after successful research, bringing profit to firms and tax revenue to the State.

Seminar talks Vietnam’s economic growth model

At the workshop 

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue highlighted the close links between growth models and economic restructuring during a seminar in Hanoi on March 20. 

The seminar on Vietnam’s economic growth model for 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2045 was jointly held by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), the PM’s Economic Advisory Group, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the World Bank, and the Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

Attention should be paid to macro factors and restructuring focuses during the process of policy planning, Hue said. 

The official said that at the 11th National Party Congress in 2011, the growth model was expanded in scale, with importance placed on growth, quality and efficiency. Meanwhile, at the 12th National Party Congress in 2016, the growth model was set towards both quality and quantity, focusing on in-depth development and sustainability. 

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Quang Thuan, VASS President, also pointed out positive economic changes over the past three years, with a rapid increase in the number of equitised State-owned enterprises (SOE) and more firms divesting capital from unnecessary sectors. 

He stressed progress made in the restructuring of SOEs, the banking sector and public investment. 

The Fourth Industrial Revolution and international economic integration through new-generation free trade agreements have generated both opportunities and challenges for Vietnam’s economic growth model. How to optimise the opportunities and ease the challenges to promote economic growth model reform towards higher quality for 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2045 has drawn the attention of scientists, researchers and policymakers, he said. 

Associate Prof. Dr. Bui Thang Tuan, head of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, said that although Vietnam’s economy is growing at a high rate of 6.3 percent, the country has failed to reach the annual target of 7-8 percent set under the 2011-2020 strategy. 

He, therefore, proposed shifting the growth model towards quality, changing the ratio of resources contributing to the growth, prioritising science-technology and innovation, and utilising opportunities offered by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the national golden population structure to make rapid and quality growth.

Thai Nguyen city allocates 100 million USD for urban development

The newly-inaugurated Ben Tuong bridge in Thai Nguyen province 

The northern province of Thai Nguyen is striving to develop Thai Nguyen city as a catalyst for its development, at the cost of 100 million USD, including 1.8 trillion VND (77.5 million USD) in loans from the World Bank.

Vu Thi Bich Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee, said the objectives of the project are to complete the city’s infrastructure system to adapt to climate change and improve the environmental sanitation, thus optimising its economic potential and boosting its socio-economic growth.

Components of the project include the construction of Bac Nam street, Huong Thuong bridge, and Huong Thuong-Chua Hang road; and the upgrading of roads in Dong Bam residential area, Dan bridge, and Le Huu Trac street.

Huong Son kindergarten will be built, along with the upgrading of Phan Dinh Phung kindergarten. The drainage system of Xuong Rong and Mo Bach canals will also be improved.

Meanwhile, the public transport and irrigation systems will be developed, along with the environmental monitoring system.

Currently, the design work and financial estimates have been finalised for the first phase of the project, while biding plans are being considered by the World Bank so the project can be started in the third quarter of 2019 and completed in 2023.

Since 2015, Thai Nguyen city has implemented 12 works with a cost of 80.5 million USD funded by the World Bank within the programme to support urban development in northern mountainous areas in the 2015-2020 period. The programme has shown its efficiency, helping to improve economic growth and social security of the benefited localities.

Over 9,500 new firms established in Mekong Delta in 2018

The Mekong Delta's economy recorded an impressive growth of 7.8 percent in 2018, the highest over the past four years.

More than 9,500 new businesses were established in the Mekong Delta in 2018, heard a meeting among regional business leaders in Can Tho city on March 20.

The delta’s economy recorded an impressive growth of 7.8 percent in 2018, the highest over the past four years, according to Nguyen Phuong Lam, Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)’s chapter in Can Tho.

The industrial production value rose 12 percent year-on-year to 716 trillion VND (30.8 billion USD).

The export turnover for the first time reached 17.5 billion USD, up 1.6 billion USD versus the previous year. Six localities posted exports worth over 1 billion USD, namely Long An, Tien Giang, Can Tho, Ca Mau, Ben Tre, and Dong Thap.

In 2018, the Mekong Delta continued to be rated as the best operating area among seven regions of the country. Five localities in the delta were listed in the top 10 of Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), which is published annually. 

Lam said businesses must double their efforts to gain more socio-economic accomplishments in 2019 and the following years.

He explained that 2019 is a special year for Vietnam’s economy when free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) come into effect.

Global trade disputes, fierce competition and rapid change of technology are putting great pressure on the State management reforms of businesses, he noted.

Given the fact, Mekong Delta localities need more investment in infrastructure as well as a more dynamic administration to create favourable business environment, he said.

At the event, the VCCI’s chapter in Can Tho signed cooperation agreements with Bac Lieu, Hau Giang and Vinh Long provinces on improving the business climate and building a competitiveness index for regional departments and localities in 2019.

The chapter also granted certificates of new membership for 31 enterprises.

Prime Minister urges public investment disbursement

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has requested that ministries, sectors, and localities make concerted efforts to fully disburse public investment capital as allocated.

Construction work on an section of Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway  project.

During a meeting with representatives from stakeholders this week, PM Phuc asked relevant ministers and heads of provincial-level People’s Committees to directly guide the disbursement of public investment and help to ease difficulties and obstacles relating to delays in handing out such funds.

He also required the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to supervise and accelerate the process of disbursing public investment and then report back to the government. He added that a working group would be set up to oversee and fast-track the process if required.

Regarding the fields of industrial production, construction, and natural resources, he noted that the Committee for State Capital Management must hasten the execution of industrial projects and take prompt actions to expedite any delayed projects.

PM Phuc called for greater efforts to speed up carrying out large-scale infrastructure projects and to set forth specific timescales relating to the construction and inauguration of such projects.

He asked the Ministry of Transport to set in place measures on shortening the progress of projects and to push forward the construction of the Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway which is looking to connect the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang to Can Tho city.

He urged greater efficiency in administrative reforms while asking ministries to submit their action plans on realizing the government’s Resolution No.02/NQ-CP dated January 1 2019.

The resolution notes the continued implementation of measures aimed to further improve local investment climate and bolster national competitiveness.

As such, the government leader ordered ministers and provincial leaders, especially those from Ho Chi Minh City and localities which are home to key economic zones, to formulate concrete measures on handling issues related to administrative reforms and competitiveness.

Vietnam, Germany discuss business linkages in water sector

First Secretary at the German Embassy in Hanoi Jorg Ruger (Source: baoxaydung.com.vn)

A workshop on business connectivity and technology took place in Hanoi on March 20 within the framework of the Vietnamese-German Water Forum.

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Water Supply Association (VWSA) Nguyen Hong Tien said that the workshop aims to put forward synchronous measures for water management in Vietnam to help solve water-related challenges, attract more investments from Germany into Hanoi, and help the two countries’ enterprises connect.

According to First Secretary at the German Embassy in Hanoi Jorg Ruger, Germany has become a leading important partner of Vietnam in the European Union in terms of politics and economics.

The two nations have cooperated in many fields, including industry, science-technology and education, with many effective projects in the field of water supply and drainage.

The event offered a chance for German Water Partnership (GWP) members to approach new markets in Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, while fostering information exchange and dialogue between the two sides, and stepping up international collaboration through vocational training and training programmes, Ruger added.

At the workshop, difficulties in water supply and drainage in Vietnam were put on the table for discussion.

Participants made several recommendations to address the difficulties, such as the application of advanced and power-saving technologies and the use of information technology in design, construction and operation for smart water management.

HCM City seminar promotes Vietnam-India tourism

K. Srikar Reddy, Consul General of India in HCM City, speaks at the seminar. 

The Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City organised a seminar on March 20 to introduce the culture, tourism, cuisine and beautiful nature of India.

The event, which drew representatives from the municipal Tourism Department, nearly 50 Vietnamese travel companies, and those from India, was also a chance to strengthen cooperation and promote tourism services between the two countries.

Addressing the seminar, Indian Consul General K. Srikar Reddy emphasised the Vietnam-India connections in history and civilisation, saying mutual visits by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders have focused on tourism collaboration and people-to-people exchange which are main factors of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

He noted that Vietnam and India are yet to fully tap their tourism potential although the number of tourists travelling between the two countries has significantly increased in recent years. 

 According to Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Deputy Director of the HCM City Tourism Department, India ranks 11th among the city’s 20 leading tourist markets. By the end of 2018, Indian tourists to HCM City numbered about 103,000, an increase of 80.9 percent against the previous year and accounting for half of total Indian arrivals to Vietnam.

The municipal tourism sector always considers India a potential tourist market, she said, adding that in the coming time, it will step up exchanges and cooperation as well as design tour programmes through farmtrip and presstrip activities in order to increase tourists traversing the two nations.

At the seminar, Vietnamese and Indian travel companies shared experience in designing tours and promoting new services and destinations to their partners.

Int’l exhibition to showcase electrical technologies, green power

Delegates visit a booth at the previous edition of the International Exhibition of Electrical Technology and Equipment. — Photo courtesy of CIS Vietnam

About 600 booths representing enterprises from Việt Nam and 10 other countries and territories will participate in the 12th International Exhibition of Electrical Technology and Equipment (Vietnam ETE) and the 9th International Exhibition of Products, Technologies for Energy Saving and Green Power (Enertec Expo).

The event will take place from July 17 to 20 in HCM City, featuring smart electronic devices and technology designed to save energy.

On an area of 9,000sq.m, the event gathers various brands from Việt Nam, Germany, France, the US, Japan, China and South Korea.

Notably, Korea Electrical Manufacturers Association (Koema) will introduce smart electricity products.

Apart from the exhibitions, other specialised activities will take place such as seminars, fact-finding tours and performances.

Last year, Vietnam ETE and Enertec Expo received 200 exhibitors with 300 booths. It attracted 24,000 visitors over the course of the four-day event.

The event will act as a bridge between local and international enterprises. It will also serve as a forum for the businesses to attract investment.

It is organised by the HCM City Centre for Support Industries Development and CIS Vietnam Advertising and Exhibition JSC, with support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

It is expected to receive 35,000 visitors this year. 

National program on economical and efficient use of energy approved

The PM has approved a national program on economical and efficient use of energy in the period of 2019-2030.

One of the program’s main tasks is to build a Vietnamese energy data center, as well as databases and information technology applications on energy and energy efficiency.

Specifically, the program will developenergy statistics and establish national and sectoral database systems on energy and economical and efficient use of energy, while building coordination and information sharing mechanisms between databases on energy & energy effciency and other databases. 

In addition, the program will develop and guide the use of softwares in managing and updating data on economic and efficient use of energy, ensuring that they are suitable to energy users and energy management agencies from the central to local levels.

Another major task of the program is to strengthen capabilities in the economical and efficient use of energy,  through training and building capacity for officials and focal agencies on economical and efficient use of energy in organizing the management and implementation of the State’s regulations on economical and efficient use of energy.

Furthermore, the program will implement other major tasks, including inspecting, supervising, urging and guiding the implementation and evaluation of the implementation results of legal regulations on economical and effective use of energy; boosting communication to raise public awareness about economical and efficient use of energy; and strengthen international cooperation in the field of using energy economically and effectively.

Vietnam, Taiwan strengthen trade cooperation

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry– Ho Chi Minh City Branch (VCCI-HCM) on March 19 collaborated with Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) to hold a conference on Taipei International Food Show 2019 and a business exchange between Vietnam and Taiwan (China).

According to VCCI-HCM, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Taiwan exceeded US$16.3 billion last year, up 7 percent compared to the previous year.

In January this year alone, two-way trade turnover between the two sides already reached $1.5 billion.

Vietnam mainly exports cell-phones, seafood products, footwear and garments to the Taiwanese market. Meanwhile, Taiwan usually has great demand for foodstuffs and goods to serve tourists and its people. Therefore, it is a potential market for agro-forestry-aquatic products of Vietnam.

Export of aquatic products strives for $10 billion target

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, export has faced difficulties since the beginning of this year, of which agro-forestry-aquatic export turnover reached US$5.5 billion in the first two months of this year, a decrease of 1.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

However, amid difficult situation, export of aquatic products hit $1.11 billion, up 4.4 percent year-on-year. Aquaculture is considered as a highlight of agriculture industry and expected to make impressive performance this year with an export target of above $10 billion.

Although export of aquatic products has posted growth since the beginning of this year, the prices of pangasius fish in Mekong Delta provinces have continuously declined, concerning farmers and exporters. Many pangasius fish farming households in the Mekong Delta said that the prices of pangasius fish bought by factories dropped to VND23,500-VND24,000 per kilogram, down VND5,000-VND5,500 per kilogram compared to those in the beginning of this year. With such price level, farmers almost earned no profits but were only able to break even. A slump in pangasius prices caused by sluggish export and high pangasius fish production which made factories hesitant in buying more fish. Therefore, authority warned that fish farmers should be cautious and should not expand fish farming area and increase production massively at this moment so as to prevent an excessive fish supply which drags the price of pangasius fish down further.

Along with pangasius fish, shrimp is key product of aquatic export. The current price of 30-count-per-kilogram tiger shrimps fluctuated at VND300,000 per kilogram and that of 100-count-per-kilogram white-leg shrimps was at around VND80,000 per kilogram. Basically, farmers have profits with the current price level.

According to Mr. Nhu Van Can, head of the Department of Aquaculture under the Directorate of Fisheries, total brackish shrimp farming area exceeded 736,000 hectares nationwide last year, up 3 percent compared to the previous year. However, shrimp exports merely touched US$3.6 billion, down 7.8 percent year-on-year. Vietnamese shrimp has not brought into play its potential and strengths and has not been able to compete with its rivals, consisting of India, Thailand, Ecuador and Indonesia, in global market.

Shrimp farming industry still copes with several difficulties that need immediate resolution, such as juvenile shrimp supply, high feed cost, chemical residues in shrimps and poor farming infrastructure. In addition, competition has become more cutthroat with several technical barriers being built and stricter control on quality and food safety.

Despite adversities, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers still hopes for an export turnover of $10 billion for aquaculture, of which shrimps and pangasius fish play the key roles. In order to achieve the target, firms should increase production of value-added products that are not imposed antidumping tax and meet the requirements of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program of the US to make Vietnamese shrimps different from those of other exporters.

As for European market, Vietnamese shrimp producers should divide it into two consumption tendencies, of which countries in the Southern Europe and Eastern Europe regions do not demand shrimps with ASC certification. Meanwhile, other remaining regions firms should choose shrimps that meet ASC certificate to export so as to gain the highest export value.

China is a large market with great potential for Vietnamese shrimps. Chinese market has paid more attention to food safety and product quality; hence firms should diversify their ways of processing and exporting and promote official sea export to major cities to increase export turnover in Chinese market, said Mr. Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of VASEP.

According to Mr. Hoe, Vietnam should take advantage of the free trade agreement to turn the EU into the main export market of Vietnamese shrimps with turnover of $1 billion. Meanwhile, shrimp exports to other five markets, consisting of North America, Japan, China, South Korea and Australia should reach $3 billion in order to achieve the goal.

Although the price of pangasius fish currently is on the decline, it is said to have entered stable development trajectory. Accordingly, despite technical and trade barriers, there are no signs of downward consumption. Even measures to impose antidumping tax in the US market signal that consumption demand is rising. Based on that, the MARD expected pangasius fish exports to hit $2.4 billion this year, up 12 percent compared to the previous year.

Mr.Doan Toi, CEO of Nam Viet JSC, said that the price of pangasius fish exported to the US market hit a record high of $5-$6 per kilogram thanks to the efforts of farmers and exporters for years. However, farmers should not expand farming area as well as increase production but to supply at sufficient level or even lower than market demand in order to keep pangasius fish price at high level. This requires accurate market forecast, reasonable management of authority and cooperation of business community.

He suggested firms to produce more small-size fillet and butterfly-cut pangasius fish products to diversify consumption market, quickly recover export to the EU market and expand new markets, such as India. In addition, Vietnamese pangasius fish needs advertising more widely around the world.

Agriculture minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong said that pangasius fish industry has been showing good performance. Pangasius fish products have become more diverse with more than 80 varieties, of which there are products with high value. In order to develop sustainably, the industry needs to focus on investing latest technology from farming to processing. As for shrimps, the industry should encourage farmers to join cooperatives or cooperate with firms and head to mass production.

HCM City promotes development of solar power

Workers install solar panels on the roof of a building.

The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has recently promulgated an energy saving program to encourage the development of renewable energy, of which solar energy will be given the priority.

Particularly, the program ordered relevant departments to propagandize and encourage citizens and enterprises to install solar panels on the roofs of their houses or buildings.

The Department of Industry and Trade will be in charge of setting up the project to develop solar power at government facilities, schools and hospitals. In addition, the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority will encourage firms to install solar panels on the roofs of their factories to partly meet their electricity demand.

The program also set targets to implement effective energy saving solutions, aiming to save an average of 1.5-2 percent of commercial electricity generation annually. Government facilities continue to maintain energy saving, reducing at least 10 percent of their annual electricity costs.

In daily life and business, related departments will have programs to persuade citizens and firms to apply effective energy saving solutions and lessen usage of power-consuming devices, including air-conditioners, water heaters and irons during peak hours.

Herbalife has new GM for Vietnam and Cambodia

Vu Van Thang, who is now Herbalife’s senior director and general manager for Vietnam and Cambodia

Global nutrition company Herbalife has appointed Vu Van Thang as senior director and general manager for Vietnam and Cambodia.

Thang will be responsible for managing the overall operations of Herbalife and supporting business growth of Herbalife members in these two markets.

“With Thang’s strong leadership and experience in a variety of business functions with well-established local and international corporations, we believe he will help further strengthen our presence in Vietnam and Cambodia and take our businesses in this sub-region to the next level,” said Shobie Ann King, Herbalife's vice president for Southeast Asia.

Vu Van Thang said, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Herbalife, a global nutrition company with a purpose to make the world healthier and happier, providing high quality and science-backed products to help people get the right balance of healthy nutrition.”

With an MBA in International Business and Marketing from Oklahoma City University, USA, Thang brings nearly 22 years of experience with him in finance, sales, regional and general management roles within the fast moving consumer goods industries.

Govt to fund Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway project

The construction site of a section of the Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway project

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed to use the State budget to partially fund the Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway project so that the capital recovery time will not exceed 15 years.

On March 18, the Government Office announced the prime minister’s directive to remove obstacles to the project’s execution. Accordingly, the Government leader also agreed to continue executing the project under the build-operate-transfer format.

In addition, the Tien Giang government will replace the Ministry of Transport, assuming the authority to approve possible adjustments to the project.

The State budget must be used for the project in a transparent manner and in line with prevailing regulations to prevent possible losses, corruption and group interest.

The prime minister also asked the Ministry of Transport, other relevant ministries and agencies, the Tien Giang government and investors to be more proactive in resolving difficulties affecting the project’s execution to accelerate its progress, allowing the expressway to be put into operation by the end of next year.

Further, the Investigative Police Agency, under the Ministry of Public Security, was assigned to coordinate with other competent agencies to investigate Yen Khanh Trade Production and Service Company, a developer of the Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway project, and impose strict penalties if any violations are discovered.

The long-delayed Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway project was restarted in February 2015 and was expected to be completed in 2018. However, the project has moved at a snail’s pace over the last four years, so the deadline for completion has been moved to December 2020.

The slow progress is attributed to changes in policies, the weak capacity of the investor and the lack of capital.

The four-lane expressway will be some 51 kilometers long, with 4.5 kilometers of access roads, running through five outlying districts of the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang. It will start at the intersection of Than Cuu Nghia T-Junction and HCMC-Trung Luong Expressway and end at the intersection with National Highway 30.

The expressway, when in place, is expected to shorten the distance and travel time between HCMC and the Mekong Delta provinces, bolster the socioeconomic growth of Vietnam’s southwest region and reduce traffic congestion on National Highway 1.

Bamboo Airways Summer to tee off with big prizes

FLC Samson Golf Links. The course is set to host the Bamboo Airways Summer 2019 from April 2 to 7. — Photo bnews.vn

The Bamboo Airways Summer 2019 golf tournament is scheduled to tee off at FLC Samson Golf Links in the central province of Thanh Hóa on April 2 – 7.

The event will attract the participation of more than 2,000 domestic and international golfers.

The tournament will have prizes totalling more than VNĐ100 billion (US$4,348,000), of which the winner of the hole-in-one competition will receive around VNĐ10 billion ($434,000) including four luxury cars, air tickets for Bamboo Airways and vouchers to play golf at the many courses of FLC Biscom.

The tournament is organised by Bamboo Airways and FLC Biscom. 

UK enterprises discuss 2019 economic outlook

The British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, in cooperation with the British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV), last week organized the “Outlook for 2019 - Business is GREAT” seminar in order to highlight the UK’s expertise in different business sectors.

Consul General Mr. Ian Gibbons said “Business is GREAT” is part of the GREAT Campaign, which is the UK Government’s most ambitious international promotional campaign and unites efforts in the public and private sectors to generate jobs and growth for Britain and its country partners. The campaign also marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK.

The seminar consisted of six different presentations on the economic outlook and visions of businesses in 2019 on the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) market, presented by Mr. Phil Worthington, Managing Director of Kantar Millward Brown, the education vision in 2019, presented Mr. Stewart Utley from British University Vietnam, and the macroeconomic outlook for 2019, presented by Mr. Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC Vietnam.

“The shift to e-commerce, including the challenges and opportunities” talk was presented by Mr. Dean Rolfe, Partner in Tax and Head of MNC at KPMG. The tourism and hospitality outlook for 2019 was presented by Mr. Kenneth Atkinson, Executive Chairman of Grant Thornton Vietnam, while human resources and salary guides in 2019 was presented by Mr. Adrien Bizouard, Country Manager of Robert Walters Vietnam.

Mr. Atkinson, who is also Chairman of BBGV, said the dynamic British community in Vietnam has a huge amount to offer in future collaboration in various fields, such as world-class education, ground-breaking research, high-tech financial services, and energy

The seminar’s panel discussion on “Challenges and opportunities for doing business in Vietnam, facing Industry 4.0” included Mr. Neil McGregor, Managing Director of Savills Vietnam, Mr. Mai Quang Tri, Chief Representative of Atkins, and Mr. Utley, and received a lot of interest from those in attendance.

Vietnam to waive import tariffs for environment-friendly auto parts

Vietnam has unveiled plans to offer import tariff incentives for parts used to assemble environment-friendly cars.
 
The Ministry of Finance is drafting a decree which will add electric cars to the list of incentive tax beneficiaries.

Current, auto parts for fuel-efficient cars can be imported tax-free but not environment-friendly cars, and hence the need for the decree, the ministry said.

"The decree will encourage the development of the local car industry."

There are no Vietnamese businesses manufacturing or assembling environment-friendly vehicles, which the ministry defines as electric, hybrid, biofuel-only, and compressed natural gas cars.

There are 358 businesses in the auto industry but Vietnam imports over 90 percent of auto parts. Most cars sold in the country are foreign brands imported or assembled locally.

A section of Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway. (Photo: baodauthau.vn)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for swifter implementation of Trung Luong - My Thuan expressway project for the purpose of opening it to traffic by late 2020.

The Government Office recently issued the cabinet leader's call at a meeting held this week between permanent government members and stakeholders on unblocking obstacles in carrying out the project under build-operate-transfer (BOT) investment format.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Transport (MoT), other relevant ministries, the Tien Giang provincial People’s Committee, and investors were required to seek proactive solutions to alleviate the obstacles, in order to speed up the progress and make the expressway open to traffic by 2020.

Part of the state budget will be pumped into deploying the BOT project so as to shorten the duration of payback and toll collection.

PM Phuc agreed to shift the approval of a feasibility report for the project from the MoT to the Tien Giang provincial People’s Committee. Meanwhile, relevant ministries, sectors, and the State Bank of Vietnam were requested to co-operate with the committee in order to step up the progress.

The committee was assigned to guide enterprises on reviewing financial resources in consideration of the state budget, in line with legal regulations on management and use of public assets.

In addition, smooth coordination must take place between the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance to map out a state budget scheme for the project before submitting it to the PM prior to March 20.

Enterprises involved in the progress have to put forth overall progress and execution measures for the project which have to receive unanimous support from the provincial committee and the MoT. The overall progress and execution measures must be reported to the government.

The expressway will be an extremely significant bridge connecting the Mekong Delta region to Ho Chi Minh City and other economic hubs across the southern region. The MoT has directed investors and stakeholders to carry out 96 per cent of the site clearance process.

However, the project has been suffering from delayed progress due to difficulties in capital mobilization, amendments to institutional and legislative regulations on the management and use of public assets, public private partnership - related policies, and the capacity of investors.

Vietjet opens sales on three new domestic routes

Vietjet Air has begun selling tickets for three new routes linking the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho to Hai Phong in the north and the central provinces of Nghe An (Vinh city) and Thanh Hoa.

The new domestic routes will operate from April 26.

In May, Vietjet will open two more new routes from Can Tho to Nha Trang (the south central province of Khanh Hoa) and Da Lat (the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong). 

With the new routes, Vietjet will be the airline having the most routes and flights from and to Can Tho.

Vietjet Air currently operates 39 domestic routes and 69 international ones.

Hi-tech pepper cultivation expands in Quang Tri

The central province of Quang Tri is promoting the application of high technology in the cultivation of pepper trees, one of the three main industrial crops of the province, in order to meet standards of the US and the EU. 

The province has cooperated with Organics More Co Ltd, an international company specialising in promoting organic farming, to help local farmers adopt cultivation processes in accordance with foreign standards. 

As of March this year, nearly 60 ha of pepper trees in Gio An commune, Gio Linh district, have been cultivated following European and US organic standards. 

The province has adopted policies to support farmers in adopting organic farming and applying technology in production. 

Pepper trees were brought to Quang Tri by the French in the late 19th – early 20th century and has been continuously grown since 1940 up to now. Pepper beans produced in Quang Tri are highly rated by both domestic and foreign traders thanks to the strong scent and spicy taste. 

Quang Tri has been registered as geographical indication (GI) since 2014 for both black and while pepper produced in Ho Xa town and Vinh Hien, Vinh Hoa and Vinh Nam in Gio Linh district. Last year, the areas under the GI protection were expanded to cover Cam Lo, Gio Linh, Vinh Linh and Huong Hoa districts.

Quang Tri currently has 2,500 ha of pepper trees, with average bean productivity ranging from 1 to 1.2 tonnes per ha. The province aims to expand the area to 2,700 ha by 2020 and 3,000 ha by 2025.

First VMARK Interior Design Week to open in HCM City

A conference in HCM City on Tuesday kicks off VMARK Interior Design Week. 

 The first VMARK Interior Design Week 2019 will be held in HCM City from May 17-20 this year under the theme “Creative Aspirations”, the Viet Nam Design Association announced on Tuesday.

With the main aim of growing and nurturing the Vietnamese design industry by enhancing the community through education, awareness and experience, the event is part of the Viet Nam Design Association network events held in 2019.

Beginning this year, the VMARK Interior Design Week will be an annual event held in Viet Nam, the association said.

The event also contributes to building a Vietnamese design identity with the purpose of being recorgnised globally, it added.

The week will include three main events, the VMARK Design Summit, VMARK Design Exhibition and VMARK Design Awards.

The summit will include conferences, seminars and networking sessions featuring various topics relating to interior design.

Participants will include speakers from the Government, creative entrepreneurs, members of the Interior Design Association and representatives from Viet Nam and other countries.

The exhibition will showcase the achievements of quality branded and designed lifestyle products, as well as products that have won design awards.

The exhibition will bring together a collection of local and international design activities to enhance designers’ and manufacturers’ co-operation activities.

The VMARK Design Awards is a member of the International Design Awards which has been active in many developed countries for decades.

The awards will evaluate and reward the best applied designs in Viet Nam developed by both Vietnamese and foreign creators.

A gala party will be organised on May 17 at the Reverie Hotel in District 1 in HCM City to honour the winners. 

Vietnam Expo 2019 to draw 500 businesses

A Korean pavilion at Vietnam Expo 2018. — Photo ven.vn

As many as 500 enterprises from 23 countries and territories are expected to participate in the Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo 2019), scheduled to take place in Hà Nội from April 10 to 13.

The event will feature 600 pavilions, including from Algeria, Cuba, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and China, according to the Việt Nam National Trade Fair & Advertising Company (Vinexad).

There will be a special display area for creative and high-quality products from 15 local trade promotion centres.

A number of sidelines activities will be held such as a workshop on investment promotion for industrial development, a training programme about selling online via Amazon and a conference on the trade of electronic products and information technology. 

Vietnam to attend Taipei Int’l Food Show 5-in-1

Vietnam will attend the Taipei International Food Show 5-in-1, the largest trade promotion expo of Taiwanese food industry, in Taipei from June 19-22. 

It was announced by the Ho Chi Minh City chapter of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council in Ho Chi Minh City (TAITRA) on March 19. 

The event will feature 5,000 stalls displaying food and food processing machinery, packaging equipment, restaurant-hotel-services, and Halal products while promoting cooperation between foreign importers, businesses, partners and Taiwanese suppliers. 

As many as 34 stalls by exhibitors from the US, Japan and the Republic of Korea are expected to bring exciting cuisine experiences to visitors. 

General Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Food and Foodstuff Association Tran Nhat Quang said the presence of leading food brands at one of the top exhibitions in Asia will make it easier for Vietnamese firms to introduce their products and trademarks, thereby expanding markets and improving competitiveness up to international standards. 

Chief representative of TAITRA in Ho Chi Minh City Keven Cheng said a number of Taiwanese firms want to expand business operations in Vietnam in the next three years, focusing on green and eco-friendly technology and medical equipment. 

He added that they are also interested in smart city development, high-tech agriculture, e-commerce and tourism. 

Both Vietnam and Taiwan (China) are among the top 10 trade partners of each other with two-way trade increasing over years. 

Vietnam exports mobile phones and spare parts, apparel and aquatic products to Taiwan while importing machinery, equipment and accessories.