This year’s theme is “Volunteers Build Resilient Communities” and celebrates volunteers who contribute to making their communities more resilient against natural disasters, economic stresses and political shocks. “I am proud of Australian volunteers, not only because they have contributed to the success of Vietnamese organisations, but also more broadly to Vietnamese development in general and because they are great ambassadors who create strong people to people links between Australia and Vietnam” said Mr Craig Chittick.Photo: Australian Embassy in VietnamSince 1973, more than 1,000 Australian volunteers have worked in Vietnam in diverse fields including education and training, community development, private sector, agriculture, gender equality and health. Their contributions have assisted partner organisations in Vietnam build capacity to effectively deliver their development objectives. The Executive Director of REACH, an Australian Volunteers program … [Read more...] about Australian volunteers contribute to community development in Vietnam
Economic community development
AEON Vietnam: “We link our growth to Vietnam’s development”
(VEN) - As a major retail group of Japan, AEON has made ceaseless efforts to expand its operations in Asian countries, including Vietnam. Despite fierce competition with local retailers and world-leading retail groups, AEON Vietnam has won the trust of local consumers and maintained its firm position in the Vietnamese market. Yasuo Nishitohge, General Director of the AEON Vietnam Company Limited, told Vietnam Economic News’ Thanh Tung that the company links its growth to Vietnam’s development. What do you think of the Vietnamese retail market and the local business environment? Japanese companies consider Vietnam a potential market, especially in the retail field. Being directly proportional to the growth of the economy, the purchasing capacity of Vietnamese consumers has increased considerably, raising their demand for high quality products and services. We would like to express our thanks to Ho Chi Minh City for their support. AEON Vietnam officially commenced its … [Read more...] about AEON Vietnam: “We link our growth to Vietnam’s development”
Institutional reform deemed crucial for economic growth
(VEN) - While Vietnam’s indexes have improved significantly, and the economic outlook for 2018-2020 is looking up, institutional reform is one of the top priorities for accelerating economic growth in the short and long term. This was the bottom line of a seminar held on May 15 in Hanoi to discuss directions for Vietnam’s economy. In the first quarter of 2018, gross domestic product (GDP) growth reached 7.38 percent, the highest first-quarter increase of the past decade; an estimated US$5.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) was disbursed, up 6.3 percent from the same period last year; and the trade surplus reached about US$3.39 billion. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung told participants these were encouraging signs, reflecting the country’s deepening integration into international economic communities. Dung pointed to additional achievements, among them efficient reform and innovation policies, an improved business environment and stronger … [Read more...] about Institutional reform deemed crucial for economic growth
Firms encouraged to engage strongly in regional development
In his speech, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said, as GMS countries are likely to face the emergence of protectionism and the drop in foreign investment, they should strengthen efforts in regional integration and economic connectivity through prioritised areas of finance, economy, e-commerce and cross-border trade. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the GMS Business Summit is important as this is a chance for GMS countries to listen to the voice of enterprises and call for the firms’ stronger involvement. He revealed that China is widely opening its door for regional countries, showing China’s determination to promote trade liberalisation, open service market and attract more foreign investment. China has so far invested 40 billion USD in GMS countries through soft loans and funding for 20 infrastructure projects, he noted. Meanwhile, Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith affirmed that the Lao Government will coordinate more closely … [Read more...] about Firms encouraged to engage strongly in regional development
VN, S. Korea collaborate on “smart city” development
Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Developing smart cities will provide solutions for basic urban issues in Việt Nam, an official from the Ministry of Construction (MoC) said at a seminar on smart cities held in Hà Nội on Thursday. The seminar was held between Việt Nam and South Korea’s experts, within the framework of South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s State visit to Việt Nam. Việt Nam’s Minister of Construction Phạm Hồng Hà and South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi attended the seminar. Speaking at the seminar, Dr Lưu Đức Cường, director of MoC’s Urban Planning Institute – Rural Construction Department, said that he used to doubt whether it was “too early” to develop smart cities in Việt Nam since urban areas in the country were young and still struggling to solve basic problems. “But after thorough … [Read more...] about VN, S. Korea collaborate on “smart city” development