Products of the processing and manufacturing industry of Vietnam now have great chances to enjoy stronger export to the UAE, which has high demand for imports.

Dubai is stepping up urbanisation and infrastructure development, leading to higher demand for electricity and energy in industrial and trade sectors. The development of smart grids and upgrade of transmission lines will also boost the UAE’s electrical cable market.

The UAE’s electrical cable market was valued at 192.48 billion USD in 2021 and is forecast to grow by some 4.2% on average between 2022 and 2030. Therefore, electrical cables are a highly potential product for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in and export to the Middle Eastern country, said Truong Xuan Trung, an official of Vietnam’s Trade Office in the UAE, as cited by the Cong Thuong (Industry & Trade) newspaper.

Among other processed and manufactured products, Vietnam can also boost the shipment of handbags, suitcases, and wallets, he suggested.

In 2022, footwear exports to the UAE brought home 185 million USD, rising nearly 50% from a year earlier; textiles and garments 132 million USD; timber and wood products 27 million USD, statistics show.

The Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City has registered to take part in a woodworking fair in the UAE in 2023. This event, which will gather many international exporters and importers, will be a good chance for Vietnamese firms to seek partners, Trung said.

In addition, some agricultural and fishery products of Vietnam are holding a big market share in the UAE and can be exported more to this market.

Data in 2022 show that fishery exports to the UAE increased by over 18% year on year. Vietnam is currently the biggest exporter of frozen tra fish fillet there, with an over 50% market share. Such fruits as dragon fruit, watermelon, and seedless lime from the Southeast Asian country are also dominating this market.

However, the UAE is a market with fierce competition in terms of prices and quality, the official noted, adding that the Islamic country requires food and beverage imports to have Halal certificates, and also imposes high import tariffs, up to 50%, on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Despite considerable challenges, Trung held that the UAE is attractive enough for Vietnamese firms to capitalise on since it is a highly open market, has few tariff barriers, and serves as a point of transit for goods to reach the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Europe.

Besides, the UAE is a party to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), whose members share a common customs law system, so when Vietnamese goods are exported to this market, they can enter other GCC members without having to pay more taxes.

The UAE has asked Vietnam to consider the early signing of a bilateral comprehensive economic partnership agreement so as to further facilitate Vietnamese products’ entry into the Middle Eastern country, according to Trung.

Ministry wants borrowing conditions eased for soft loan package

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has asked the central bank to ease borrowing conditions, streamline paperwork and help businesses cut borrowing costs by revising relevant regulations.

The proposal was made during a government meeting held on February 21 to find ways to remove hurdles to 2023 public investment disbursements and aid packages.

Government Decree 31, issued in May last year to use State money for loan interest support for businesses, cooperatives and household businesses, is aimed at accelerating the recovery of businesses and households impacted by Covid-19 through a credit package of VND40 trillion with an interest rate discount of two percentage points.

As of January 31, loans made under this package totaled a mere VND134 billion, so it is difficult for the package to achieve full disbursements this year, the ministry said.

It thus urged the State Bank of Vietnam to estimate the amount that can be disbursed by the end of the economic stimulus program and devise plans to handle the remainder.

Vietnamese agricultural products increasingly welcomed in Belgium

More and more people in Belgium know about Vietnamese agricultural products and welcomed them.

Pham Bich Thuy, the owner of “Le Panier Asiatique” - an Asian grocery in Brussels, said that besides Vietnamese customers, many foreigners visit her store.

She always tries to introduce Vietnamese products to the customers, offering them to take home to try first and pay later.

Many of the customers revisit her store and choose Vietnamese products because of their competitive prices and quality compared with those from other countries, Thuy said.

For the last few years, many agricultural and food products of Vietnam are favoured by customers in Belgium such as Duy Anh rice papers, Ba cay tre (Three Bamboo) fresh vermicelli, dried pho, Vifon instant noodle, Phu Quoc fish sauce, and Cocoxim fresh coconut milk of Ben Tre Import-Export Joint Stock Company (Betrimex).

Tran Ngoc Quan, Vietnam’s Trade Counselor in Belgium and the EU, said that the challenges for Vietnamese goods are not small. Firstly, Vietnamese goods access the Belgian market through many local importers, making Vietnamese businesses highly reliant on the importers and unable to build brands.

Secondly, in the past time, while some Vietnamese enterprises were very proactive and made changes in production to serve export, others still produced first and then looked for markets.

Quan said that in that way, it’s very difficult for them to access markets like the EU which has a lot of regulations for imports.

In addition, many spices such as basil, laksa leaves, perilla, and coriander are of the Vietnamese origin but purchased and exported to Europe by Thai enterprises.

Therefore, promoting the export of agricultural products, fruits, and vegetables to the Belgian market in particular and the European market in general requires efforts from Vietnamese enterprises to improve production capacity, ensure product quality, and look for business partners.

Novaland’s former chairman leaves board of directors

Bui Xuan Huy, former chairman of the HCMC-based property company Novaland, resigned yesterday, February 22, for personal reasons.

He said in his resignation letter that his decision followed the firm’s restructuring plan.

Huy held the post of general director of Novaland for two consecutive terms, starting September 2017, until Bui Thanh Nhon, founder of the group, transferred the post of chairman to Huy in January 2022.

Early this month, Nhon came back to the property developer Novaland as chairman and legal representative, but Huy had remained on the board since then.

On the same day, board member Hoang Thu Chau resigned as well so that Chau could focus on management at NovaGroup, the largest shareholder of Novaland. She is general director of NovaGroup.

About two weeks before leaving the board, Huy sold nearly 15 million shares to reduce his ownership from 72.5 million to 57.8 million shares, or 2.96% of Novaland’s capital, and Chau sold nearly 2.3 million shares.

Novaland reported that their resignation was part of a restructuring plan it announced last November.

Long An authorities meet diplomatic corps, business representatives

Leaders of the Mekong Delta province of Long An on February 23 held a meeting with representatives of diplomatic corps, business associations, and enterprises, listening to their concerns, proposals, and initiatives toward long-term and sustainable development goals.

Addressing the event, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of its People’s Council Nguyen Van Duoc appreciated the groups’ efforts and assistance that have contributed to Long An’s overall growth in the past, particularly 2022.

He informed them that last year, the province posted an 8.46% growth in gross regional domestic product and contributed 22 trillion VND (925.15 million USD) to the State budget, the highest to date. It also attracted 23.8 trillion VND and 732 million USD worth of domestic and foreign investment, respectively.

Duoc pledged efforts to build the best business climate possible serving firms’ operations, and to ensure their legitimate rights and interests. He hoped the groups, in turn, will further cooperate with Long An and connect international friends to Vietnam and the province in particular.

Consul General Kang Myong-il of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Ho Chi Minh City wished the province further development and proposed the local authorities pay attention to improving tax policies and administrative reform.

Choi Bun Do, head of the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, voiced a need for early settlement of land-related administrative procedures for Korean firms at the Long Hau industrial park; and for policies facilitating the development of support industries and supply chains, among others.

Door wide open for processed, manufactured products to enter UAE

Products of the processing and manufacturing industry of Vietnam now have great chances to enjoy stronger export to the UAE, which has high demand for imports.

Dubai is stepping up urbanisation and infrastructure development, leading to higher demand for electricity and energy in industrial and trade sectors. The development of smart grids and upgrade of transmission lines will also boost the UAE’s electrical cable market.

The UAE’s electrical cable market was valued at 192.48 billion USD in 2021 and is forecast to grow by some 4.2% on average between 2022 and 2030. Therefore, electrical cables are a highly potential product for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in and export to the Middle Eastern country, said Truong Xuan Trung, an official of Vietnam’s Trade Office in the UAE, as cited by the Cong Thuong (Industry & Trade) newspaper.

Among other processed and manufactured products, Vietnam can also boost the shipment of handbags, suitcases, and wallets, he suggested.

In 2022, footwear exports to the UAE brought home 185 million USD, rising nearly 50% from a year earlier; textiles and garments 132 million USD; timber and wood products 27 million USD, statistics show.

The Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City has registered to take part in a woodworking fair in the UAE in 2023. This event, which will gather many international exporters and importers, will be a good chance for Vietnamese firms to seek partners, Trung said.

In addition, some agricultural and fishery products of Vietnam are holding a big market share in the UAE and can be exported more to this market.

Data in 2022 show that fishery exports to the UAE increased by over 18% year on year. Vietnam is currently the biggest exporter of frozen tra fish fillet there, with an over 50% market share. Such fruits as dragon fruit, watermelon, and seedless lime from the Southeast Asian country are also dominating this market.

However, the UAE is a market with fierce competition in terms of prices and quality, the official noted, adding that the Islamic country requires food and beverage imports to have Halal certificates, and also imposes high import tariffs, up to 50%, on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Despite considerable challenges, Trung held that the UAE is attractive enough for Vietnamese firms to capitalise on since it is a highly open market, has few tariff barriers, and serves as a point of transit for goods to reach the Middle East, Africa, and Southern Europe.

Besides, the UAE is a party to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), whose members share a common customs law system, so when Vietnamese goods are exported to this market, they can enter other GCC members without having to pay more taxes.

The UAE has asked Vietnam to consider the early signing of a bilateral comprehensive economic partnership agreement so as to further facilitate Vietnamese products’ entry into the Middle Eastern country, according to Trung.

FLC told to pay for groundwater pumped without permit

The government of Quang Ninh Province has told the FLC Group Joint Stock Company (FLC) to pay more than VND8 billion for the volume of groundwater the firm illegally pumped to irrigate its golf course from 2018 to 2021.

Over the three-year period, the golf course pumped around 600,000 cubic meters of groundwater without license.

According to Decision 412 issued on February 22 by the Quang Ninh People’s Committee, FLC made illegitimate gains through the unlicensed pumping of groundwater at the FLC golf course in the province’s Halong City.

The provincial government said FLC had dug three borewells, GK04, GK07 and GK08, in Ha Trung Ward, Halong City between March 2018 and March 17, 2021, even though it had secured no prior permission from the local authority.

Quang Ninh later fined FLC VND205 million for this administrative violation in September 2022.

The exploitation of groundwater has adversely impacted the groundwater volume, the geologic structure and eroded soil in the area, according to the provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

FPT acquires Intertec International’s IT Services division

FPT Corporation, a leading Vietnamese technology firm, has announced its acquisition of Intertec International’s (Intertec) IT Services division to further strengthen its North American nearshore delivery capabilities.

The acquisition enables FPT and Intertec to provide customers with a seamless experience.

The deal also enables FPT to further meet the increasing demand for agile software engineering and bridge time zone differences.

The Vietnamese firm will continue to leverage and build on Intertec’s delivery centers and operational experience in Costa Rica, Colombia and Mexico.

Commercial flights between Hanoi, Ca Mau to be launched on April 30

A technical return flight from the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau to Hanoi will be operated by the low-cost carrier, Bamboo Airways on April 20.

The announcement was launched at a working session between the People’s Committee of Ca Mau and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and Bamboo Airways on February 23.

As planned, the airline will begin operating three commercial flights per week starting on April 30.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bamboo Airways, Nguyen Ngoc Trong said that Ca Mau will be the 22nd destination in the country that Bamboo Airways flies to.

The new service will use E190 aircraft featuring 98 passengers, including six business-class seats. Bamboo Airways will create favorable conditions to ensure the effective and safe exploitation of flights, he pledged.

Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ca Mau Lam Van Bi said that the opening of the Hanoi-Ca Mau route has great significance in connecting the capital to the southernmost point of the country.

He asked Ca Mau Airport to coordinate with the departments and local authorities to continue implementing the process for launching the new route.Ca Mau Airport currently receives a daily flight on the HCMC-Ca Mau route and reaches 35,000-40,000 passengers per year while the airfield has a capacity of 200,000 passengers per year.

Offshore wind power fundamentals drive Vietnam’s green transition: project developer

Offshore wind power will be fundamental to delivering Vietnam’s green transition goals, said Stuart Livesey, the Vietnam Country Director for Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) - the offshore wind project developer of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

CIP is implementing La Gan offshore wind project in the central province of Binh Thuan.

Speaking on the sideline of the release of the 2022-2023 Whitebook “Working Toward a Green Economy and Sustainable Development” by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) on February 16, Livesey said that currently, Vietnam’s offshore wind resource is relatively untapped, and establishing this industry has many benefits in comparison to other renewables.

Offshore wind power will likely be much cheaper and more sustainable than other energy sources, and can utilise many of Vietnam’s existing and future labour force and supply chains, he said.

However, the official added that it is fundamentally impossible to deliver a commercial offshore wind farm in Vietnam due to a lack of necessary regulatory framework and a lack of flexibility for the offtake of energy to transition to allow for these offshore mega-projects.

Both national and international developers and investors are keen to invest in offshore wind in the Vietnam market.

However, the delays in key decision-making requirements and lack of ownership by aspects of the government to enable this industry could result in huge delays to green energy targets. Delays will cause billions of dollars of direct in-country investment, and potentially deter global investors from pursuing Vietnam when so many other emerging markets strive for their own offshore wind goals, he said.

For large international developers, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is increasingly important as part of their working policy, as these companies need to meet IFC (International Finance Corporation) standards to satisfy lenders and international organisations that have high standards to meet.

Talking about the need for green energy development in Vietnam, Livesey said that Vietnam has made some bold and commendable targets at COP26, actively taken a stance to combat climate change, and paid more attention to green energy generation for today and future generations.

Countries and suppliers around the world are now setting their targets for green-sourced supply chains and green energy.

Many of those have strong commitments to the energy transition, so Vietnam must speed up the transition to maintain its position as a key export market in Southeast Asia, he said.

Vietnamese longan sold well in Japan despite high prices

Vietnamese longan is much welcomed in Japan although its retail prices are high, which brings a big opportunity for local farmers.

Nguyen Khac Huy, director of Hoang Phat Fruit Ltd Company based in the southern province of Long An, said that after its first batch of 10 tonnes of fresh longan was exported to Japan early this year, the company will continue exporting about 70-100 tonnes of the fruit by sea and by air to the market monthly.

Longan retail price in Japan is high, about 320,000 VND (13.5 USD) per kilo, but the fruit is soon sold out, he said.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said that four Vietnamese fresh fruits – dragon fruit, mango, lychee, and longan – are eligible to be exported to Japan through the official channel.

Longan is a high-value export and can be sold at high prices in Japan, he said, adding that Japan’s import of the fruit brings a big opportunity for Vietnamese farmers.

Vietnam now has about 80,000 ha of longan with an output of about 600,000 tonnes per year. However, the area for the Indo-longan variety favoured by Japanese consumers is not much and that with the fruit qualified for export is small.

Ta Duc Minh, Vietnam Trade Counselor in Japan, said that it’s difficult to enter Japan but it’s more difficult to maintain a foothold in the market as if only a batch of products fails to meet requirements, Vietnamese exporters will lose consumers’ trust and it’s very difficult to regain the trust.

Vietnam's trade value reaches US$72 bln by mid-February

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, from the beginning of this year to February 15, the country's total trade valued topped 72 billion USD, with export turnover standing at $37 billion and a trade surplus of nearly US$1.7 billion. 

Notably, in the first half of February alone, the country's export turnover reached $13.44 billion. 

Phones and components; computers, electronic products and components; machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts; and textile and garment were the four groups of exports which enjoyed a turnover of "billion dollars" in the reviewed period.

In the meantime, import turnover was 12.38 billion USD. Two groups of imports of the "billion dollars" group were computers, electronic products and components; machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts.

In 2022, the country's total trade value reached a record high of USD 730.2 billion USD.

Communication, advertising firms encouraged to adopt new technology

A workshop on digital transformation for Vietnam’s communication and advertising industry was held in Hanoi on February 23.

The event was co-hosted by the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC), the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Vietnam Advertising Association (VAA).

Speaking at the event, NIC Deputy Director Do Tien Thinh said NIC encourages pioneering firms to pilot and apply new technology and models, thus propelling the development of digital enterprises and tech-savvy workforce.

VAA Chairman Nguyen Truong Son said following the COVID-19 pandemic, the strong recovery of outdoor advertising has returned and asserted its position as the leading brand positioning communication channel. Investment in technology will become the top priority in the fourth industrial revolution of the communication and advertising industry in Vietnam.

About challenges to Vietnam’s advertising industry today, Son said management policies and mechanisms have yet to catch up with changes in technology and digital business models. Moreover, high costs of investment in digital infrastructure also make it hard for traditional media channels to renovate themselves.

According to him, Vietnam is lacking tech-savvy workforce and those who could analyse data.

A ceremony to announce the results of the comprehensive digital transformation project between Goldsun Media Group and Vietnam I&E Technology Company was held within the framework of the event.

Japanese firms eyeing investment opportunities in Vinh Long

Japanese enterprises are interested in and looking for investment opportunities in the Mekong Delta region, especially in Vinh Long province, according to deputy chief representative of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in HCM City Ida Koji.

At a working session with representatives from the provincial People’s Committee on the investment environment in the locality on February 23, Koji said Vietnam is one of the most potential and attractive investment destinations for Japanese and international businesses.

In recent years, Japanese businesses have considered Vietnam as one of their important investment destinations, ranking second after the US, he noted.

The official mentioned difficulties facing Japanese companies in the locality related to administrative procedures, expressing his hope that Vinh Long authorities will have appropriate policies to support foreign businesses and speed up the simplification of administrative procedures to facilitate foreign firms’ operations.

According to Vice Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Khac Nhu, Vinh Long’s firms earned 60.2 million USD from exporting their products to Japan in 2022, accounting for 8% of the province’s export turnover, and up 40% year-on-year. The main exports were leather shoes, textiles, auto parts, handicrafts, and processed farm produce.

Vinh Long is home to 73 foreign-invested projects from 15 countries and territories. Japan ranked first in terms of total investment capital with 213.8 million USD in 11 projects, mainly in food and farm produce production and processing, warehousing and storage services, and manufacturing sewing machine parts and small precision machine parts.

Vietnam, Germany joint committee discusses economic cooperation

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang and State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Udo Philipp co-chaired the second meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation in Berlin on February 23.

The committee noted that last year, two-way trade between Germany and Vietnam reached nearly 15 billion EUR, up from 10 billion EUR in 2015. The German side wished to join in projects in energy, healthcare and digitalisation through the exchange of experience and technological transfer.

Both sides reaffirmed their strong bilateral relationship, demonstrated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Vietnam visit, during which a number of new agreements were signed, including a Memorandum of Understanding on energy transition, labour and vocational training.

In energy cooperation, both sides wished to upgrade their Energy Dialogue to an Energy Partnership to accelerate the energy transition process in the two countries. 

They acknowledged the crucial role of ensuring energy security in economic development through diversification of energy sources; development, production and use of renewable energy, and technologies in energy efficiency, energy conservation and storage.

In the fields of industry and digital transformation, the two sides looked to strengthen cooperation in automobile production; and agreed to encourage German companies to seek component and spare part suppliers in Vietnam and invest in supporting industries in other fields such as textile, leather and footwear, electronics and high-tech manufacturing. They also mentioned the possibility to step up the issuance of working visas for German employees in Vietnam, thus creating favourable conditions for German companies to do business in the country.

Host and guest discussed solutions to simplify administrative procedures and remove non-tariff trade barriers. They agreed to support and protect geographical indications of each other's products in accordance with EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the laws of both countries. Vietnam proposed that Germany ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), encourage German businesses to invest in Vietnam, and make it easier for Vietnamese farm produce and aquatic exports to enter the German market.

They vowed to jointly popularise products through retail distribution channels in partner markets, as well as inform each other about trade fairs and exhibitions.

Deputy Minister Thang emphasized the importance of maintaining this dialogue mechanism, especially amid fluctuations in the world today.

According to chargé d'affaires a.i of the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany Chu Tuan Duc, the Joint Committee's second meeting has achieved important results, particularly the joint wish of upgrading their Energy Dialogue to an Energy Partnership.

At the meeting, they also agreed to organise the meeting of the Joint Committee every two years. Accordingly, the next meeting is scheduled to be held in Vietnam in early 2025, or may be earlier if agreed by both parties.

Vietnam, Japan enjoy strong connectivity: Deputy PM

Similarities in culture, historical linkage, and the friendly sentiments that people of Vietnam and Japan give each other as well as many shared interests have closely connected the two nations, stated Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang at a ceremony held by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam on February 23 to celebrate the 63rd birthday of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.

Extending greetings to the Emperor, the Empress, the Royal Family as well as the Government and people of Japan, Quang underlined that the relations between Vietnam and Japan were initiated in the eighth century when “Phat Triet” (Buttetsu) who came from Champa, an ancient kingdom that extended across the coast of what is today central Vietnam, introduced Rinyu-gaku – a composite ritual art comprising orchestral music and dance – to Japan. 

Japanese merchant boats came to Hoi An in the 16th century, contributing to the formation of the bustling trading area in Vietnam and leading to the romantic love story between Japanese trader Araki Sorato and Vietnamese Princess Ngoc Hoa, he said.

The Deputy PM noted that Japan is one of the first countries to set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam. The bilateral ties have grown fast and strongly across all fields, especially as the two sides established their extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in 2014, he said.

He emphasised that Japan has always been one of the leading strategic partners of Vietnam, with regular exchanges of delegations at high and all levels. The two countries provided practical and helpful support to each other during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, adding that Japan is the largest ODA provider of Vietnam and the second biggest partner in labour, third in investment and tourism, and fourth in trade.

Local cooperation is a bright spot in the bilateral ties with more than 70 pairs of localities sharing cooperation agreements. Currently, the nearly 500,000-strong Vietnamese community in Japan has become the second largest foreign one in the country, he noted.

Deputy PM Quang said that Vietnam and Japan have coordinated closely at multilateral forums and mechanisms at regional and global levels such as the UN and Mekong Sub-Region, while working closely in economy and trade facilitation through the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The Vietnam-Japan relationship is in prime time with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year, he said, expressing his belief that the bilateral extensive strategic partnership will enter a new development period with more comprehensive, effective and sustainable partnership, meeting the aspirations and interest of the people of both sides and contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Japanese Ambassador Yamada Takio said that the Japan-Vietnam relationship is in its peak in the history. Despite changes in the region and the world, the two sides have still considered each other as important strategic partner and expanding their ties to all fields.

The diplomat affirmed that Japan hopes to work with Vietnam in promoting activities for peace and prosperity in the region, underlining that Vietnam is one of the important partners in the implementation of Japan’s free and open Indo-Pacific strategy.

Expressing his hope that Japanese firms will increase investment in Vietnam and launch new projects, the diplomat said that this will create a positive circulation for each country’s economy.

In 2023, along with investment and trade, Japan aims to beef up bilateral ties in the fields of infrastructure, ODA, digital transformation, green transition, industrialisation and modernisation, and human resources development to create momentum for the growth of the ties, he said.

Winners of 2022 Vietnam Medical Achievement Awards named

Ten outstanding works and projects were honoured at the 2022 Vietnam Medical Achievement Awards held by Radio the Voice of Ho Chi Minh City (VOH) and the municipal Department of Health on February 23.

This is the third consecutive year the award has been held to honour contributions by the health sector’s staff in public health care. It is held annually in celebration of Vietnamese Doctors' Day (February 27).

VOH Director Le Cong Dong said that launched from July 2022, the award has received the participation of numerous medical facilities across the country. From 15 nominations selected by the award’s appraisal council, the 10 most outstanding works and projects were chosen by the public.

The winners include a model of caring for patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the community; comprehensive HIV/AIDS patient care model at Nhan Ai Hospital, Depression Emergency Project; caring for patients with hypertension and diabetes in the community; and returning voices and smiles to 10,000 children with cleft lip and palate.

The Hope Club accompaning children orphaned by the COVID-19 pandemic; bringing AI technology to diagnose chest X-ray to serve patients in Thanh An island commune; detecting the first monkeypox cases; Gene sequencing technology for early detection of diseases; and remote consultation to support medical stations were also honoured at the awarding ceremony.

Vietnam, Laos boost cooperation in energy, mining

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Phoxay Sayasone have agreed to further boost Vietnam-Laos cooperation in energy and mining, contributing to the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive partnership between the two nations.

During a working session in Hanoi on February 23, the two sides agreed that they are well implementing an MoU signed in 2016 between the two governments on cooperation in hydro power development in Laos, grid connections and electricity import from Laos.  

Minister Dien said in order to continue purchasing electricity from Laos, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has partnered with Lao power investors to invest in one 500kV, and four 220kV transmission lines between the two countries.

Sayasone informed the host that according to the latest survey results, the Lao provinces of Sekong and Saravane hold 500 million tonnes of coal in reserve, which could potentially be even greater if the survey is expanded.

To tap this abundant resource, he suggested the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) create conditions for Lao enterprises to export coal to Vietnam.

Dien said the MoIT is ready to connect information between Vietnamese corporations and enterprises with Lao coal exporters to step up bilateral coal trade.

The Vietnamese minister also proposed further enhancing coordination in the mining and processing of mineral resources between the two countries.

He said Vietnamese enterprises are interested in investing in tin mining and processing in Laos for exporting to Vietnam or other coutries. He asked the Lao side to share information about its tin reserves as well as introduce Lao enterprises operating in this field to connect with Vietnamese partners.

The guest vowed to assign Lao agencies to work closely with the Vietnamese side to tackle difficulties with Vietnamese projects in Laos, and further tap the potential of bilateral cooperation in electricity purchase, mine management, and exploitation of mineral resources.

Taiwan auto parts maker to set up shop in Hai Duong

Taiwan’s NeoSCM Limited has plans to invest some US$44-55 million into a facility producing car brake discs in the northern province of Hai Duong.

The 8-hectare factory will be built in An Phat Industrial Park No. 1 in Nam Sach District, with annual output of four million products for domestic and foreign markets.

The project includes two phases, with the first one expected to be up and running at the end of 2024, according to a representative of NeoSCM.

The plant will need between 500 and 600 highly skilled workers.

Luu Van Ban, standing vice chairman of the Hai Duong People’s Committee, said the provincial government was committed to offering favorable conditions for business expansion, including simpler administrative procedures and manpower support.

He urged the industrial zone’s operator to enhance technical infrastructure for manufacturing.

Hai Duong Province will establish 21 industrial zones and three extension areas, covering some 4,507 hectares. To date, some 11 projects have been set up in local industrial zones.

Gojek launches GoCar services at Tan Son Nhat airport

Gojek, an on-demand platform, announced the launch of its GoCar service at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC today, February 23.

The launch is expected to meet the rising demand of thousands of passengers leaving and arriving at the airport’s domestic and international terminals daily.

Gojek will offer GoCar services at seven pick-up points on Lane D2, between Column G6 and Column B6, at the domestic terminal. For international arrivals, GoCar services will be available at five pick-up points, from Column 9 to Column 12.

Gojek employees will be present at Lane D2 to help passengers find their pick-up locations.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes