Many delegates discuss solutions to reduce congestion at Cat Lai Port in HCMC. (Photo: SGGP) The workshop attracted more than 70 delegates from customs authorities, ministries, and the business community to discuss this action plan. At the workshop, the relevant units announced 21 recommendations to improve the operational efficiency of Cat Lai Port to meet the increasing demand. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the port was operating at full capacity. Meanwhile, the demand calculated by the number of containers is forecast to double by 2030. The above 21 recommendations are the results of a pre-feasibility study on congestion prevention and logistics facilitation at Cat Lai Port conducted by the Trade Facilitation Project funded by the USAID from May 2020 to March 2021. The study comprehensively reviewed port operations on an area of 160 hectares to assess operational efficiency, bottlenecks, and shortcomings in the process of enhancing the handling capacity of the port. On … [Read more...] about HCMC cooperates with USAID to ease container congestion at Cat Lai Port
Saltwater intrusion prevention
Former deputy health minister jailed in fake cancer drug scandal
Cuong was sentenced by the Hanoi’s People Court after being charged with "negligence that results in serious consequences". He is also forbidden from holding positions in the field of medicine for three years after finishing his sentence. Nguyen Minh Hung, former chairman of the management board of pharmaceutical firm Vietnam Pharma JSC, received 18 years in jail for "manufacturing and trading of counterfeit medicines for treatment or prevention of diseases". Hung had been sentenced to 17 years under the same charge at another trial over the case in 2019. His cumulative years to spend in prison will be 30 years, the maximum number of jail time for combined timed sentences in accordance with Vietnamese law. 12 others convicts related to the cases were also sentenced to between 2-20 years in jail. The sentences were the latest development in a counterfeit drug case involving Vietnam Pharma and the fake drug branded Health 2000 Canada. Cuong stands accused of violations that allowed … [Read more...] about Former deputy health minister jailed in fake cancer drug scandal
Making better decisions in real estate
Pham Viet Tuan-Associate, Indochine Counsel Many of the negative risks arise because of the complicated Vietnamese land laws, which prevent not only foreign investors but also local developers from developing projects. This article will give some hints on how they could properly tackle issues related to land in property project development through the contribution of land. In the Vietnamese real estate market, it is common for a property developer to have land but not the budget or experience/resources needed to develop the project. In this case, such developers might seek other ways to conduct their business plan. Some solutions may be to secure a loan facility from a bank; to cooperate with other developers who have experience/resources in the project development; or to call for financial aid from funds, and foreign/local investors or to issue bonds in the capital market. Each solution has its pros and cons. From a foreign perspective, project land is essential to project … [Read more...] about Making better decisions in real estate
Transport authorities request oversight of commercial cars at Saigon airport following overcharging accusation
Ho Chi Minh City transport authorities have requested that measures be taken to prevent commercial passenger transport companies from overcharging their passengers at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. In a dispatch sent to the airport authority and agencies concerned on Wednesday, the municipal Department of Transport asked that steps be taken to prevent passengers from being fleeced, including regular inspections of such vehicles. Strict punishments must be given to any firms which claim higher transport charges than their quoted rates, the department said. The move was made after passenger Dr. Le Dang Doanh, former head of the Central Institute for Economic Management, was asked by a commercial car driver to pay nearly VND200,000 (US$8.65) for his three-kilometer trip from the airport to a hotel. Dr. Doanh said he took a passenger car operated by the Southern Airport Transportation Joint Stock Company (SATSCO) for his trip after his flight touched down at the airport last … [Read more...] about Transport authorities request oversight of commercial cars at Saigon airport following overcharging accusation
Vietnam, Singapore parliaments ink agreement to boost cooperation
The visit paid by the Singaporean parliament speaker is aimed to realize the agreement reached by the countries’ top leaders during Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to the neighboring country in February 2022. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on enhancing relations, exchanges, and cooperation between Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) and the Parliament of Singapore was signed during the three-day visit to Hanoi paid by Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, his first official visit to Vietnam beginning on May 18. Chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Tan Chuan-Jin in Hanoi on May 18. Photos: Quochoi During the visit made at the invitation of Chairman of Vietnam's National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, the two legislative bodies also supported the signing of an MoU on cybersecurity, mutual legal assistance, and trans-border crime prevention. They argued that the legislative connection is an extremely … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Singapore parliaments ink agreement to boost cooperation
Singaporean parliament speaker meets Vietnam – ASEAN friendship parliamentary group’s official
During the meeting, Tan briefed his visitors on the outcomes of his talks with Vietnamese N.A. Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Affirming the increasing relationship between the two countries, Tan expressed his hope for further strengthened exchange activities between parliamentarians of the two nations, contributing to tightening the legislative cooperation in particular, and the strategic partnership between the two countries in general. For his part, Cuong, who is also Secretary General of the National Assembly and Chairman of the N.A. Office of Vietnam, said Tan’s official visit to Vietnam contributes to further expanding the Vietnam – Singapore Strategic Partnership. He congratulated Singapore on its success in COVID-19 prevention and control and stable development in the new normal, the effective implementation of vaccination program, as well as the full reopening of economy and international tourism. Cuong said he believes that Singapore will develop stronger and play an … [Read more...] about Singaporean parliament speaker meets Vietnam – ASEAN friendship parliamentary group’s official