Supporting sustainability transitions under the european green deal with cohesion policy

Speaking at the Vietnam Circular Economy Forum 2022 last week in Hanoi, Caitlin Wiesen, resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Vietnam, suggested that the country needs to further promote renewable energy production. “We know that the cost of renewable energy has dropped dramatically, by 89 per cent over the past 10 years, and solar is currently the cheapest source of electricity,” she explained. In just five years, Vietnam has scaled up its solar capacity from virtually zero to over 16,000MW by 2022, far exceeding national targets, Wiesen added. “Vietnam also has rich wind power potential, especially offshore wind, with more than 3,200km of coastline,” she said. Meanwhile, over the past decades, the energy sector has been a fundamental enabler of inclusive economic development in Vietnam. The sector is well-positioned to lead the green growth ambitions of the country, Wiesen said, and can catalyse new investments, create new jobs, and … [Read more...] about Grand energy aims require direction

There will be another VIR talk show on blockchain application on July 8, Photo: Shutterstock Earlier this year William Do, CEO of Hobbit Investment, explained that exponential benefits and fast payback time are making blockchain projects a 4.0 trend that is replacing the wave of startups that flourished in previous years. “The blockchain model with its transparent, speedy, and bold projects has solved the problems that pioneering startups of the past could not answer,” he said. According to Do, just a handful of projects launched during the 2017-2020 entrepreneurship wave were able to establish themselves in the international market. The remainder struggled to survive without the support of major players in their industries. In more recent times, Hobbit has successfully raised capital for blockchain game Fight of the Ages (FOTA), and Do will appear on a VIR talk show on July 8 to share his own personal experience as well as the general status of innovation funds for … [Read more...] about Building innovative funds in blockchain biz

Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam Kenneth Atkinson. The trade and investment relationship between Viet Nam and the UK has grown significantly a year after the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) came into effect. Viet Nam News spoke to Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam Kenneth Atkinson about the effectiveness of the trade deal as well as opportunities for further cooperation between the two countries. How do you assess improvements in trade and investment between Viet Nam and the UK a year after implementing the UKVFTA? The UK-Viet Nam FTA came into effect on May 1, 2021 but with retroactive benefits starting January 1, 2021. This was one of the speediest negotiations of any FTA, in large part due to the strong strategic partnership established by the Governments of Viet Nam and UK. The Strategic Partnership has been in place for 10 years and is stated as being at its strongest ever. The UK is the European country that has maintained … [Read more...] about Trade, investment between Viet Nam and UK expand steadily in all sectors

Patrick Lenain - Former assistant director Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Schools and universities will need to adopt new technologies. Public transportation networks will need to be upgraded. Large-scale logistical hubs will be required to remain integrated in global supply chains. Old-age citizens will need welfare support. Electricity generation will need to decarbonise. Coastal cities will need to adapt to rising sea levels. Military spending will need to protect the country. And it is obvious that health spending remains a priority. Unfortunately, tax revenue is at present too limited to finance these large investments. Vietnam’s government collected tax revenue equivalent to 16 per cent of GDP last year, according to the International Monetary Fund. This is less than Malaysia (18.3 per cent), Singapore (18.5 per cent), India (19.7 per cent), Thailand (20.3 per cent), and China (27 per cent). This is also less than before the pandemic, reflecting … [Read more...] about Tax for development: Does Vietnam need tax reform?

Recalling the heroic tradition of Bac Kan province, Major General Nguyen Van Gau emphasized that in wartime, under the leadership of the Party, the armed forces and people of Bac Kan province stayed united and effectively brought into play the tradition of patriotism to greatly contribute to the national liberation and reunification cause. In peacetime, the Party Organization, authorities, troops and people of the Northern province have overcome challenges, promoted dynamism and creativeness, and exerted utmost efforts to obtain important and comprehensive achievements. Especially, the province has paid due attention to taking care of national contributors and families with great contribution to the revolution. On behalf of leaders of the MND and the GDP, Major General Nguyen Van Gau deeply thanked the Party Organization, authorities, troops and people of Bac Kan province for supporting the Vietnam People’s Army during its combat and development. On the occasion, the GDP’s deputy … [Read more...] about MND meets Bac Kan’s delegation of national contributors