* Four blasts were heard in Yemen's main port city of Hodeidah on late on Tuesday (December 18) on the first day of ceasefire agreed between the Iran-aligned Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed government at U.N.-led peace talks last week, residents said. * The British government said on December 18 it would implement plans for a no-deal Brexit in full and begin telling businesses and citizens to prepare for the risk of leaving the European Union without an agreement. * China and Myanmar on December 18 held their fourth round of diplomacy and defense consultations in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. * The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey on December 18 said in Geneva they have agreed to make efforts at convening the first session of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in early 2019. * A US envoy on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is to visit the Republic of Korea (RoK), officials said on December 19, as Washington and Pyongyang … [Read more...] about World News in Brief: December 19
Geneva business news
BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 3/9
Quang Ninh aims to become leading service centreThe northern coastal province of Quang Ninh has outlined comprehensive measures to attract key projects in trade, aiming to become a leading service centre in the country.Two years ago, local authorities granted approval for a master plan to develop the trade sector by 2025 with a vision towards 2030. The province aimed to increase added value by an average of 12.5 - 13.5 percent during 2016 – 2020, 14.5 - 15.5 percent during 2021 – 2025, and 10 - 11 percent during 2026 – 2030.As part of efforts to lure trade projects, the province has worked to improve transport infrastructure, including projects upgrading the Uong Bi - Ha Long segment in National Road 18, Quang Ninh airport, and Ha Long - Hai Phong expressway. Due attention has been paid to transportation in border areas, facilitating and promoting trade with China via Bac Luan border gate.Besides encouraging local investors to remove bottlenecks and accelerate … [Read more...] about BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 3/9
Goverment News 23/8
PM orders meticulous preparation for WEF ASEANPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for meticulous preparation for the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN). Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for meticulous preparation for the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN), which will take place in Hanoi on September 11-13.Hosting the Government’s regular meeting on August 22, PM Phuc required all sub-committees to make use of the experiences gained through the organisation of APEC 2017, the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS-6) Summit, and the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Summit.The Government leader stressed that improvement to Vietnam’s business climate should be manifested through the preparation to connect WEF investors with Vietnamese firms.He asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Hanoi People’s Committee, to enhance the popularisation of Vietnam’s image and position as well as … [Read more...] about Goverment News 23/8
Swiss prosperity: What’s behind the success story?
Viet Nam News On the occasion of Swiss National Day, Ambassador Beatrice Maser Mallor shares her country’s development story. Switzerland celebrates its 727th anniversary on August 1. A mountainous country located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland traces its origins to 1291, when a defensive alliance of three cantons (provinces) was formed. It quickly expanded over the next two centuries into a loose confederation of sovereign cantons. After a short period of centralized government during the Napoleonic period and the confirmation of its present borders at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Switzerland became a federal State through the promulgation of a modern constitution in 1848. Rapid industrialization and economic development went hand in hand with the granting of extensive civil and political rights, including elements of direct democracy, for which the country has become famous. Switzerland does not have many natural resources and does not have access to the sea. In … [Read more...] about Swiss prosperity: What’s behind the success story?
U.S. Treasury chief Mnuchin slams report that Trump wants to exit WTO
U.S. Treasury chief Mnuchin slams report that Trump wants to exit WTOThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin in Washington, U.S., May 21, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Friday a report by the Axios news website, that cited sources as saying President Donald Trump wanted the United States to withdraw from the World Trade Organization, was wrong. “There’s no breaking news here... it’s not right,” Mnuchin told Fox Business Network, calling the report “fake news.” Axios reported earlier on Friday, citing people who were involved in discussions with the president, that Trump frequently told advisers he wanted the United States to quit the WTO, a move with potentially disastrous implications for global commerce. “This is an exaggeration,” Mnuchin said. “The president has been clear, with us and with others, he has concerns about the WTO, he … [Read more...] about U.S. Treasury chief Mnuchin slams report that Trump wants to exit WTO