Discussed at committee meeting

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Senior officials from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies will discuss measures to cope with the acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in their upcoming meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They will also talk about the impact of this disease on the regional economy, according to Chairman of the APEC Economic Committee Dinh Quoc Vinh. Senior health officials will also convene a meeting to deliberate the countermeasures, Vinh added. He told the press on February 19 that he hoped participants could seek measures and cooperation orientations to fight the disease. Founded in 1989, APEC includes 21 economies, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US and Vietnam./. … [Read more...] about APEC meeting to discuss countermeasures against COVID-19

Vientiane (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on February 20 suggested that the Mekong-Lancang cooperation (MLC) should contribute to consolidating coordination between countries in handling regional challenges and bringing about long-term benefits for people. The mechanism should aim for strengthening the economy’s resilience in the face of uncertainties, Minh said at the fifth MLC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos. He emphasised the need to focus resources on vulnerable sectors and those that serve as economic engines of member countries. He elaborated that in agricultural cooperation, it is necessary to focus on raising technology capacity for businesses, and improving market stability and confidence for farm produce. Minh also pointed to the severe drought in the Mekong River Basin that requires relevant countries to take drastic actions to ensure the river’s sustainable development. He proposed intensifying … [Read more...] about Mekong-Lancang cooperation contributes to addressing regional challenges

Singapore (VNA) – Singaporean leaders have said they want to bolster the multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam and continues to closely work with the country at regional and international forums, in a bid to enhance cooperation in ASEAN and tackle current regional challenges such as disease and climate change. They expressed the wish during meetings with a delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac, who are on a Singapore visit from February 17-22. The visit was made at the invitation of Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, as part of a programme held in memory of late Singaporean President S R Nathan. While in Singapore, the delegation held meetings and working sessions with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; Deputy PM, Finance Minister and leader of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) Heng … [Read more...] about Singapore hopes to bolster multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam

Dung said the Government had asked the Ministry of Finance to develop a project about customs checks reforms so local customs departments would be the central unit to carry out checks at border gates (except for products related to national security and defence and quarantines). … [Read more...] about VN to simplify customs checks