Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The successful negotiations and signing of the free trade agreements with big partners will heighten Vietnam’s image in the world stage, creating a new push for the economic growth in the long term, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has said, refering to the trade deals recently inked with the EU. Vietnam and the EU signed the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) at a ceremony in Hanoi on June 30. The negotiations of the EVFTA concluded after six years. The deal, expected to be an engine for growth, would open up opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to enter a market of 508 million consumers with a combined GDP of about 18 trillion USD, Anh told the Vietnam News Agency. He described the EVFTA as a comprehensive, high-quality agreement that ensures a balance of benefits for both Vietnam and the EU, saying it is important to … [Read more...] about EVFTA to create new push for economic growth: Minister
New foundations sober living
A new high: Indigenous Thai farmers swap opium for coffee, land
It's how all the men in his mountain village on the Thai-Myanmar border spent their time. Stateless, with little access to education, jobs or healthcare, their only options were trading opium or walking to the nearest town for odd jobs. Somchai's life turned around after the late Princess Srinagarindra, grandmother of Thailand's current king, set up a development project in 1988 in Doi Tung in Chiang Rai, once part of Southeast Asia's "Golden Triangle" notorious for trafficking of drugs, people and arms. The Doi Tung Development Project, run by the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Thai royal patronage, ended opium cultivation in the area and set up a drug rehabilitation center and social enterprises to generate jobs. It trained residents to reforest vast swathes of the hillside and grow coffee and macadamia. It also gave residents 30-year land-use titles for small plots on which they could live and farm. "If the project had not started, I would not be alive today," said Somchai, 62, … [Read more...] about A new high: Indigenous Thai farmers swap opium for coffee, land
Hà Nội wants Asia Foundation to help boost urban agriculture
Farmers tend to their vegetables in Hoài Đức, a suburban district of Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Vũ SinhViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội is willing to co-operate with Asia Foundation to promote urban agricultural production, said Chairman of Hà Nội Nguyễn Đức Chung at his meeting with Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in Việt Nam Michael DiGregorio. Speaking at the meeting in the capital city on Thursday, Chung said he appreciated the operational efficiency of the Asia Foundation’s projects in Hà Nội. He said its urban agricultural development projects had contributed to improving people’s living standards. Chung emphasised the importance of the group’s projects and the need for them to be expanded. “We are willing to receive investors in the fields of production and social security,” Chung said. He said the capital city was always … [Read more...] about Hà Nội wants Asia Foundation to help boost urban agriculture
Hanoi leader lauds efficiency of Asia Foundation’s projects
A corner of Hanoi pedestrian street. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung lauded the operational efficiency of the Asia Foundation’s projects in the capital city during his reception for its Country Representative in Vietnam Michael DiGregorio on February 21. The foundation’s urban agricultural development projects have contributed to improving living standards of local people and ensuring social security in the city, he said. Suggesting the foundation expand these projects in terms of product, Chung emphasised that Hanoi hopes to cooperate with the foundation and welcomes investors in production and social welfare. Hanoi always learns from experience and applies the best technologies in building the smart city and e-authority, and improving people’s living standards, he said. The city has made noted progress in food safety management and control, clean vegetable growing and … [Read more...] about Hanoi leader lauds efficiency of Asia Foundation’s projects
VSIP Nghe An sets new standards for living and working environments
After two decades of operations in Vietnam, VSIP has made significant strides with several integrated townships and industrial parks nationwide. There are about 757 tenants from 30 countries and territories with a total investment capital of more than $10 billion. Applying management experience and operation methods from Singapore, VSIP have designed its industrial park projects with modern master planning, full infrastructure facilities, as well as good transport connections. VSIP has launched sustainable initiatives to create a world-class work environment for over 200,000 local and foreign workers. Among them, VSIP Nghe An is built on modern plans that integrate work, live, and play elements for workers and their families. A world-class work environment Up to now, around 210 companies have visited VSIP Nghe An to explore investment opportunities. Among them, 12 companies have committed to be tenants at the park with a total investment capital of VND860 billion ($37.84 million) … [Read more...] about VSIP Nghe An sets new standards for living and working environments