Creating value through business model innovation

During the pandemic, start-up offline activities were limited, however, it also created opportunities for localities to connect through online platforms. The National Start-up Support Centre and Sai Gon Innovation Hub (SIHUB) are working with Binh Duong Province’s community start-up idea centre to build an inno-tech platform which connects mentors, start-ups and investors. We want a series of start-up events will be organised on this platform to develop new ideas, offer training, connect with international markets and call for investment. … [Read more...] about Supporting start-ups to adapt to new normal

HCM City (VNA) – The export of coffee declined in both volume and value last year due to certain difficulties that are forecast to linger on for the time to come, insiders have said. Nguyen Viet Hai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Coffee - Cocoa Association (Vicofa), told a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on January 15 that in the 2019 - 2020 crop, 1.61 million tonnes of the bean was shipped abroad at the average price of 1,740 USD per tonne, bringing home 2.8 billion USD. The figures respectively fell 5 percent, 0.4 percent, and 5.3 percent from the previous crop. The export volume of processed coffee (roasted and ground coffee, instant coffee) dropped by over 17 percent to 110,000 tonnes, resulting a fall of 8.7 percent in value to more than 443 million USD, he pointed out. Hai noted coffee prices remain unstable, leading to a plunge in the purchase of the produce from farmers in the 2020 - 2021 crop. Fresh coffee is currently priced at 6.7 million - 6.9 million VND (about 289 - … [Read more...] about Difficulties still ahead for coffee sector: insiders

Therefore, the Government has set a growth target of 6.5 per cent for this year, twice the growth rate of last year. This is a big challenge as the pandemic is still complex, there are many risks related to trade conflicts between major economies and global political instability. … [Read more...] about Vietnamese economy tipped to bounce back in 2021

Hanoi (VNA) – High hopes are pinned on Vietnam’s rice export in the early months of 2021 after the price of its 5-percent broken rice exceeded 500 USD per tone last year, the highest since the end of 2011. The country’s rice export is likely to grow further in the first quarter of this year since the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to increasing food demand in a number of Vietnam’s major markets in Southeast Asia and Africa which have placed more orders for Vietnamese rice, according to Nguyen Quynh Nga from the Vietnam Institute of Industrial and Trade Policy (VIOIT). Meanwhile, China’s rice imports are expected to bounce back due to a sharp increase in domestic price and unfavourable weather. China’s rising demand will offer a good opportunity for Vietnam, particularly given that the two countries have established a hotline to facilitate the trade of agricultural products which was disrupted by COVID-19. Vietnam’s newly-signed trade … [Read more...] about Q1 rice export outlook remains promising

“The wide range of incentives offered to foreign businesses and market access granted by numerous free-trade agreements, combined with competitive wage costs at the low-skilled end, will ensure Vietnam remains an attractive option for manufacturing operations and those seeking to diversify their supply chain in Asia,” noted the EIU. … [Read more...] about Vietnam – Rising star in Asia’s shifting supply chains: EIU