Vu xe container o thai nguyen

Vietnam, EU to reinforce ties in FTA implementation

June 14, 2021 by en.vietnamplus.vn

The meeting between Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, had a working session in Hanoi on June 11 to discuss bilateral cooperation and the enforcement of the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement ( EVFTA ).

The two sides affirmed that they attach importance to the Vietnam – EU comprehensive partnership, especially in economy, trade, and energy, pledging to keep coordinating more closely and effectively to promote cooperation activities and programmes and deal with bilateral issues in a timely manner.

Minister Dien lauded the EU’s efforts and active moves that have helped it initially contain the pandemic and push back against risks to the bloc’s economy.

With many economic indexes bouncing back well along with support packages and mass vaccination campaigns carried out, the EU economy is believed to recover rapidly and regain growth, he noted.

He also expressed his optimism about the prospect for trade and investment ties between Vietnam and the EU in the context of the global economy and trading still struggling with numerous difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bilateral trade posted encouraging growth in the first months of 2021, which is largely attributed to the EVFTA that came into force on August 1 last year, Dien went on.

Between January and April, trade turnover between Vietnam and the EU stood at 18.26 billion USD, up 20.1 percent year on year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

At the session, the two sides had candid discussions on orientations for strengthening the Vietnam – EU cooperation and effectively implementing the bilateral FTA in the time to come so as to bring about practical benefits to the business community.

Minister Dien expressed his hope that the EU will continue supporting joint programmes and projects, particularly in energy and energy transition such as the EU – Vietnam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme (SETP) and the Vietnam Energy Partnership Group (VEPG).

As the EU boasts strengths in the high-tech industry, renewable energy, automation, and mechanical engineering, Vietnam expects to attract investment and technology transfer from the bloc, especially in terms of processing, manufacturing, and supporting industries, innovation, and technology transformation, to as to help develop a strong and modern industry for the country, the official added.

For his part, Ambassador Aliberti said the EVFTA is a significant milestone in the Vietnam – EU cooperation and also a great success the two sides have obtained during their efforts to foster economic and trade links.

He held that over the 10 months since it came into effect, the deal has generated highly positive results.

Challenges during the pact implementation are inevitable, he said, adding that relevant agencies of the EU, including the European Parliament, have been keeping a close watch on the enforcement process.

Via discussions, these challenges will be surmounted, the diplomat noted./.

Data of the Foreign Trade Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade show that from August 1, 2020, when the EVFTA took effect, to June 4 this year, authorised agencies and organisations granted 180,551 sets of the certificate of origin (C/O) form of EUR.1 for over 6.6 billion USD worth of exports to 27 EU member countries. The commodities getting this C/O form were mostly footwear, aquatic products, textile-garment, farm produce, and electronic products.

Enterprises shipping goods to the EU also conducted self-certification of origin for 4,845 batches of goods worth more than 14.91 million USD in order to utilise preferential tariffs under this trade deal.

VNA

155 new COVID-19 cases recorded in past six hours to 6pm

June 16, 2021 by en.vietnamplus.vn

Disinfecting the environment (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – There were additional 155 COVID-12 cases in the past six hours to 6pm on June 16, 149 of them were found in quarantine and locked-down areas and the remaining were imported, reported the Health Ministry.

The cities and provinces of Yen Bai, Quang Ngai, Dong Nai, Quang Ninh, Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Nam Dinh, Hoa Binh, Tuyen Quang, Son La, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thai Nguyen, Hung Yen, Hai Phong, Tay Ninh, Gia Lai, Bac Lieu, Dien Bien, Dak Lak, Dong Thap, Tra Vinh and Da Nang have gone through 14 days without new transmissions.

Since April 29, over 4,9 million people have tested for the virus.

Among patients under treatment at medical establishments, 340 tested negative once to SARS-CoV-2, 91 twice and 44 thrice.

In the coming time, the Government will issue a Resolution to purchase all vaccines manufactured by AstraZeneca at non-profit prices, including 288,000 doses already supplied to Vietnam Vaccine JSC (VNVC).

In the afternoon the same day, the ministry held a working session with VNVC to distribute these doses, with priority given to pandemic-hit localities.

To actively fight COVID-19 in “new normal” condition, the Health Ministry called on each citizen to follow 5K message, including khau trang (facemask), khu khuan (disinfection), khoang cach (distance), khong tu tap (no gathering), and khai bao y te (health declaration)

VNA

Hanoi, HCMC streets crowded few days before scheduled end of national social distancing order

April 14, 2020 by hanoitimes.vn

Major streets in the two biggest cities become busy with people gathering outdoors, some without wearing face masks.

Streets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have become busy with people and personal means of transports, just a couple of days before the national social distancing order is due to end.

Thai Ha street, Hanoi at rush hour

At 17:00 on April 13, many people were driving in the intersection of Tay Son – Thai Thinh street, Dong Da street. After more than 10 days of shelter-in-place order, many left home.

The intersection of Tay Son – Thai Ha – Chua Boc street, one of the most crowed junctions at rush hour, was also filled with people again.

Dozens of motorcycles before the stoplight at Nguyen Xien – Khuat Duy Tien junction.

100% of drivers wear face masks.

Ton Duc Thang street, Dong Da district stays crowded, despite cold weather and stay-at-home order.

The intersection of Kim Ma – Dao Tan – Lieu Giai street at rush hour.

Cat Linh street filled with vehicles at 17:30.

High traffic in Chuong Duong bridge, heading from Hanoi’s downtown to Long Bien district.

Ho Chi Minh City

At 17:30 on April 13, dense traffic on Dien Bien Phu street, in Ho Chi Minh City despite government’s directive on social distancing for Covid-19 prevention.

Heavy traffic in Vo Thi Sau street.

The intersection of February 3 and Cao Thang street filled with vehicles.

Many residents doing exercises in Tao Dan Park.

More and more people flock to Nguyen Hue walking street. At an online meeting with the government on prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee proposed the Prime Minister continue extending the period of social distancing until April 30.

Photos: Zing

JUNE 16: Vietnam successfully treats a UN official with coronavirus

June 17, 2021 by hanoitimes.vn

This is the first time Vietnam treated a Covid-19 patient who is a UN official under the MEDEVAC.

Vietnamese doctors have successfully treated a UN official who infected Covid-19, making it the first time Vietnam gives treatment to a coronavirus patient under the UN Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC).

The official was sent to Vietnam on a private airplane and then left Vietnam on June 15 for work in a regional country, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

UN representatives, including Atul Khare, Under Secretary-General, UN Department of Operational Support, have sent his thank to Vietnam for the treatment.

Vietnam’s Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long at the meeting with his Cuban counterpart on June 16. Photo: Tran Minh

Vietnam on June 16 confirmed 423 people infected with Covid-19, the second highest-ever daily cases after 444 on May 25.

The newest infections bring the total caseload to 11,635, including 4,590 convalescents. The number of coronavirus-caused deaths is 61.

So far, the northern province of Bac Giang has topped localities for the number of infections with 4,488, followed by Bac Ninh 1,442. Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) ranked third with 1,060.

Notably, two-thirds of the infections were confirmed in the fresh outbreak that flared up in late April.

As of June 16, Covid-19 has swept 40 out of cities and provinces. However, 35 cities and provinces have recorded no infections for two weeks and more.

Bac Giang and Bac Ninh continue reporting new cases in industrial parks but among centralized quarantine.

Cuban homegrown Covid-19 vaccine Abdala. Photo: AFP/VNA

HCMC is facing a complicated Covid-19 situation with some unknown community transmission sources. Seriously, the infection has been found among health workers of five hospitals, including the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the leading facility treating Covid-19 patients.

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son, who now leads the Health Minister’s Standing Task Force in the southern economic hub, said the city is racing against time to detect community transmission sources in the extended two-week social distancing period that started on June 15.

Meanwhile, Hanoi considers relaxing some essential services as it has brought the pandemic under control. Only a few infections have been found in the city over the last few days.

On June 16, Cuba said it’s willing to supply Abdala Covid-19 Vaccine and transfer technology to Vietnam if the country has demand for it.

The information was shared at the virtual meeting held on June 16 between Vietnamese Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long and Cuban Health Minister José Angel Portal Miranda.

The Cuban minister said Cuba will increase its production capacity to serve Vietnam’s demand.

Nguyen Thanh Long absolutely supported the plan, saying that the Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals (IVAC) or Pasteur Nha Trang will be in charge of the cooperation.

Vietnam’s Covid-19 cases. Source: MoH. Chart: Minh Vu

Viet Nam to protect production at industrial parks

June 17, 2021 by bizhub.vn

A worker of Samsung Company in Yen Phong IP, Bac Ninh Province, is vaccinated against COVID-19. — Photo laodong.vn

The fourth wave of COVID-19 has changed the routines of many people working in industrial parks (IPs) in northern Viet Nam.

As IPs play an important part in the country’s exports and local economic development, the re-emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic could cause disruptions to production and business activities, causing tens of thousands of workers to work alternate shifts or take temporary leave, said experts.

To deal with the situation, Bac Ninh Province, which is home to 1,120 companies including big names such as Samsung, Canon, Foxconn and Microsoft, as well as about 450,000 workers in 10 industrial parks and 26 industrial clusters, started the first ever production-residence-combined model in the country to deal with the ongoing outbreaks in the IPs.

Vu Ninh, who worked as a manager at Samsung’s vendor at the Yen Phong IP told Viet Nam News: “I was vaccinated against COVID-19 on June 2 and feel thankful and safe for that.”

Ninh said: “Now, everything is served at the factory. Instead of going back and forth between Ha Noi and Bac Ninh every day like usual, we are working, eating and staying at the factory all the time.”

Other IPs in Bac Ninh Province are following similar models.

Nguyen Thi Khai, a worker at Bujeon Vietnam Electronics Company in Que Vo IP, said: “I feel peace of mind while I keep my job and income and am protected.”

Nguyen Thi Thu, a worker at Yen Phong IP, said: “We get VND100,000 per day and extra each month to call home.”

Co-operate to protect the IPs

While Bac Ninh Province People’s Committee set up teams to inspect, supervise and guide enterprises to implement the work-stay model, local enterprises were also working hard to make sure their staff stay safe.

Bujeon Vietnam Electronics rearranged an equipment line, temporarily suspending an expansion project to take advantage of the space for accommodation.

Song Yu Hoon, director of the company’s Administration and Human Resources Department, said: “We always ensure the best conditions for workers’ accommodation as they need to be safe to maintain stable production.”

Choi Joo Ho, general director of Samsung Vietnam, said: “In a short time, equipment has been installed for workers to stay at the factories and at 51 schools in Yen Phong district.”

To ensure peace of mind for tens of thousands of employees, the company provides free accommodation, as well as three meals and a snack a day.

Bui Hoang Mai, Head of the Provincial IP Management Board, told local media: “The policy of the province has received the consent of enterprises as it is the most practical solution to fulfil the “dual goal” of both economic development and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Other IPs to be protected

There are 3.8 million people working in 369 industrial zones and border areas nationwide, while some 600,000 people work at industrial clusters.

Ha Noi, HCM City and Bac Giang Province also suffered from the fourth wave of COVID-19. In the top ten exporting localities, valued at US$213 billion, the top four accounted for 51.2 per cent of the volume. HCM City and Ha Noi accounted for 40 per cent of the country’s GDP.

In the fourth wave of the virus since April 29 to June 16 afternoon, Bac Giang reported 4,590 cases, Bac Ninh followed with 1,432, while HCM City and Ha Noi reported 1,015 and 464 cases, respectively.

With more positive cases reported, HCM City’s factories implemented measures to deal with the pandemic and ensure production.

Head of Viet Thang Jean Co. with thousands of workers and vice president of the HCM City Textile, Embroidery and Knitting Association, Pham Van Viet, said: “The textile and garment industry is labour-intensive and works on a chain, so if a worker is isolated for 14-21 days, the enterprise’s production plan and the production chain are interrupted.”

Viet said: “We are very worried because if we cancel orders, we have to compensate customers, while thousands of workers have to quit or lose their jobs.”

As in Bac Ninh, the city’s businesses have prepared plans for on-site production and accommodation. On June 11, the management board of the city’s Hi-Tech Park organised an online scenario when workers stay and work in the factories.

Economist Ngo Tri Long said that the fourth wave poses other problems. The first priority was to fight the pandemic, but at the same time keep production chains intact.

“In the planning and development strategy of IPs, it is necessary to prepare and respond to the pandemic and limit the spread of the disease. The construction of concentrated accommodation and catering for workers in a closed chain in industrial parks and factories will be a long-term solution. Thus, it is easy for us to stamp out the pandemic, not to spread it in the community.”

Long said it was necessary to urgently trace, localise and stamp out new infection clusters, especially outbreaks that have spread to industrial parks and export processing zones, adding that foreign experts working in the IPs need to undergo mandatory isolation.

Economist Nguyen Tri Hieu told Viet Nam News : “The local economy has spent the first five months relatively optimistic. Exports grew over the same period last year, foreign trade maintained growth, jobs were restored, and GDP continued to grow. However, from now until the end of the year the situation will be very unpredictable.”

He added: “We still have strength in exports. Many markets around the world are being strongly affected by the pandemic, but there is a lot of demand for goods, especially agricultural products. However, the pandemic must be controlled and the production must be maintained.” — VNS

Hanoi Promotion Month gets shoppers in a festive frenzy

November 13, 2020 by vir.com.vn

The Hanoi Promotion Month promises to reignite local consumerism, photo Le Toan

Attending tourism promotion days in the city’s Ly Thai To Park last week, housewife Nguyen Huong Giang found a tour to the south-central city of Nha Trang for her family at an attractive price. Giang said she has repeatedly participated in tours organised amid the stimulus programme annually organised by Hanoi. According to Giang, the tours are often 30-40 per cent cheaper than usual, while the quality of service remains unchanged.

Like Giang, thousands of Hanoians have expressed their interest in the events that are part of the promotional event. Minh Khang, an officer from Cau Giay district said, “When I heard about the promotion offered on Hanoi’s Consumer Day 4.0 and throughout November, I quickly prepared some shopping lists.”

Khang and his friends have been looking forward to Hanoi Promotion Month as an opportunity for them to acquire goods at great discount.

Meanwhile, many businesses in Hanoi said that they had planned in advance for the Hanoi Promotion Month to take advantage of the increasing consumer demand at the end of the year and stimulate business after the bleak business caused by the pandemic.

Nguyen Quang Duc, marketing director of Pico electronics supermarket said, “Pico has spent a large part of its budget on marketing, and went along with the city’s media activities to get in touch with consumers, thereby helping to grow sales, reduce inventory, and bring practical benefits to consumers in these difficult times.”

Some retailers like Big C, Hanoi Trade Joint Stock Corporation, and VNPT Hanoi, have also built special programmes to stimulate consumer demand on this occasion. In addition to the participation of electronics and consumer goods businesses, tourism companies are also seeing the month as an opportunity to promote and introduce new products, as well as to prepare for restarting domestic tourism after nearly a year with a frozen tourism industry.

Pham Van Bay, deputy director of Vietravel’s Hanoi branch said, “We have been accompanying the Hanoi Promotion Month for many years to boost consumer demand in the last months of the year and the first quarter of 2021. This year we join the booth with a variety of new products and upgraded services, while we have managed to decrease most prices by 40 per cent. We have also worked with airlines, hotels, and restaurants to ensure the safety of tourists while travelling during this time.”

According to the organisers namely Hanoi People’s Committee, Hanoi Promotion Agency, and Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, the Hanoi Promotion Month will be deployed until early December at more than 1,000 locations with a series of outstanding and innovative activities.

Besides the two sub-events of Consumer Days 4.0 and the Tourism Promotion Days that took place in early November, the Golden Promotional Days will be held on November 14-15 with special discounts and attractive gifts, points accumulation, and game shows featuring the participation of many e-commerce businesses.

Furthermore, Hanoi will hold midnight sales events with special discounts from 8pm at major supermarkets and commercial centres, a special promotional across December 3-7 at Times City with 125 stalls, and Online Shopping Friday at the end of the promotional season.

In order to promote the use of online payments and reduce the use of cash in payment transactions, Cash Free Day is also being held during the Hanoi Promotion Month. Hanoians will experience smart payment solutions at supermarkets and more than 1,000 promotional places.

According to Le Hong Son, Deputy Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee, the pandemic has exerted a strong impact on most countries around the world, causing negative growth, as well as delayed production, trade, and disrupted global supply chains.

With continuous efforts to innovate and suit the development of the market, Hanoi Promotion Month and Cash Free Day promise to become a special shopping festival for consumers and an opportunity for businesses to promote their products and stimulate demand.

By Thai An