Substantial benefit

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia has recently filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the European Union (EU)’s rules affecting the consumption of palm oil-based biofuels. In the complaint, dated January 15, Malaysia charges that the EU, particularly its member states such as France and Lithuania, had imposed restrictive measures on the use of palm oil that violate international trade agreements. Malaysia holds that the bloc and its members confer unfair benefits to EU domestic producers of certain biofuel feedstocks such as rapeseed oil and soy, and the biofuels produced therefrom at the expense of palm oil and oil palm crop-based biofuels from Malaysia. The EU has embarked on a major plan committing its members to build a carbon neutral economy by 2050, including by promoting the use of biofuels. However, it has deemed that palm oil production is not sustainable and palm oil-based biofuels cannot be counted towards EU renewable targets. … [Read more...] about Malaysia files WTO lawsuit against EU on palm-biofuel curbs

“Nobody knows if the pandemic will ever end, or if there will be other pandemics after that,” said Giang. “Therefore we are advocating bringing the interests of disadvantaged groups, including women migrant workers, into regular government regulations with the aim of tackling overall safety problems, so that no-one will go hungry or feel abandoned at any given time.” … [Read more...] about The migrant women who never quit

During the first year of serving as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2020-2021 tenure, Vietnam made a number of hallmarks such as pushing forward the UNSC’s adoption of the Presidential Declaration on the compliance with the UN Charter, organising the ASEAN-UN dialogue, and especially proposing and promoting the UN General Assembly’s Resolution on designating December 27 as International Day of Epidemic Preparedness for the first time. … [Read more...] about VIETNAM NEWS JANUARY 20

At Trang Airport, there have been quite small numbers of passengers. However, strict COVID-19 prevention measures have still been in place. The Trang Airport Director said the new wave of COVID-19 infections has led many provinces to control passenger numbers in and out of the region, and people are asked to refrain from traveling between provinces. As a result, the number of passengers using Trang airport has decreased. … [Read more...] about VIETNAM BUSINESS NEWS JANUARY 20

Hanoi (VNA) - A workshop discussing measures to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and enhance the autonomy of Vietnam’s economy in the context of international integration was held on January 20 in Hanoi. The workshop, "Making RCEP work for economic well-being and autonomy in Vietnam: Required reform of trade and investment institutions", was co-hosted by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) and the Australia Supports Economic Reform in Vietnam (Aus4Reform) programme. It aims to assess trade and investment activities between Vietnam and other RCEP members, clarify institutional and structural issues that may affect the ability to take advantage of the opportunities, and address the challenges posed by the deal, thus proposing institutional reforms. According to CIEM Director Dr Tran Thi Hong Minh, in addition to efforts to realise the “dual goal” of controlling … [Read more...] about Measures sought to strengthen Vietnam’s economic autonomy