Illustrative image (Source: Internet) Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore’s Economic Management Board on May 24 reported that the island state’s manufacturing output rose in April thanks to higher pharmaceuticals production. Specifically, industrial production rose by 0.1 percent month-on-month, fueled by a 10.9 percent increase in biomedical manufacturing. As of March 31, Singapore’s gross domestic product went up 1.2 percent year-on-year, lower than a 1.3 percent growth in the fourth quarter of last year. After the data were announced, policymakers have revised down Singapore’s 2019 GDP growth to 1.5-2.5 percent from 1.5-3.5 percent. Meanwhile, consumer price index in Singapore’s neighbor Malaysia edged up 0.2 percent annually in April, mostly due to higher costs in land, education, food and beverages, restaurant and hotel services. Earlier, the Bank Negara Malaysia said the country’s GDP expanded by 4.5 percent in the first quarter … [Read more...] about Singapore’s manufacturing output up in April
Thai King presides over opening ceremony for parliament
King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Source: Bangkok Post) Bangkok (VNA) - The King and Queen of Thailand on May 24 presided over the opening ceremony of the new parliament following the March 24 election. In his opening remarks, King Maha Vajiralongkorn called on all parliaments to perform the best of their duty with responsibility for the benefits of the public and the country in order to move Thailand forward. The ceremony was followed by the opening of the Senate to select the upper house speaker and his or her deputies. The first meeting of the House of Representatives will be held on May 25 to choose the House speaker and vice speakers. On March 14, Royal Gazette released the list of 250 senators approved by the royal family. All the senators will vote along with those from the House of Representatives to select a new Prime Minister. The Thai House of Representatives is comprised of 500 seats with a four-year tenure. According to the election results on … [Read more...] about Thai King presides over opening ceremony for parliament
Fifth working day of National Assembly’s seventh session
Minister of Home Affairs Le Vinh Tan at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The fifth working day of the 14th National Assembly’s seventh session took place in Hanoi on May 24 under the chair of NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. In the morning, member of the NA Standing Committee and Chairman of the NA’s Committee on Finance and Budget Nguyen Duc Hai presented a report on examining and acquiring feedback on the revised draft Law on Tax Administration. Twenty-three deputies presented opinions and others also discussed the rights and responsibilities of individuals and organisations in tax management, tax filing and calculation, electronic transactions in the field. Finance Minister Dinh Tien Dung responded to several issues raised by legislators. NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien said a majority of deputies basically agreed with the contents in the report, and asked the compiling unit to refine the bill to submit to the legislature for approval. Under the … [Read more...] about Fifth working day of National Assembly’s seventh session
Thai Gastronomy and Food Culture held
At the event (Source: thailand.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Almost 20 members of the international diplomatic corps and their spouses, such as Ambassadors of Cambodia, Myanmar and Turkey to Thailand, participated in a Thai cooking demonstration on May 23 at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel organised by the Foreign Office of the Government Public Relations Department (PRD). The event provided an opportunity for the participants to enjoy the cooking class and practice the cooking of some popular Thai dishes included Massaman curry, Phat Thai (Pad Thai) noodles, Thung Thong, and Thap Thim Krop dessert. The event aims to make Thai gastronomy and food culture better known, especially in the international community as well as promoting a favorable image of Thailand and enhancing relations between the PRD and its international organizational networks. At this event, PRD Deputy Director-General Dr. Charoon Chaisorn made welcoming remarks to the participants, who were also presented … [Read more...] about Thai Gastronomy and Food Culture held
Seminar discusses contents of ocean plastic waste management
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - A seminar was held by the Vietnam Institute of Seas and Islands under the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands (VASI) on May 24 to share experience in managing and proposing contents for the national action plan on ocean plastic waste management to 2030. General Director of VASI Ta Dinh Thi said plastic waste in the sea causes serious impact on the marine ecosystems. Implementing Vietnam's initiatives on ocean plastic waste proposed at the sixth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the results of the 44th G7 Summit held in Canada in 2018, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment assigned the VASI to build the national action plan on ocean plastic waste management to 2030. The action aims to manage ocean plastic waste from waste sources in mainland and those at sea in a way to ensure sustainable marine economic development strategy, turn Vietnam into a pioneer in the region in … [Read more...] about Seminar discusses contents of ocean plastic waste management