Participants to the Anti-Corruption Day event hosted by the AntiCorruption Organisation of Thailand . (Photo: nationthailand.com)Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on September 7 said that the government will introduce e-payments in the state sector as a key measure to combat corruption. Chairing the opening of an Anti-Corruption Day event hosted by the AntiCorruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT), Srettha emphasised that battling graft is one of the government's top priorities. According to Srettha, Thailand was ranked 4th among Asean countries behind Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam on the Corruption Perceptions Index last year. He said technology can boost transparency, particularly e-payments which will be used in the state sector in lieu of cash for easy traceability.

She affirmed that Vietnam consistently values the bilateral ties and highly appreciates Japan's development cooperation and investment in Vietnam. No matter the result, he always wears the Việt Nam national flag over his shoulders at the end of fights. HCM City, Đắk Lắk Province enhance tourism connectivityHCM City and the Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk are enhancing connectivity to create new tourism products and attract more visitors. The Museum of Đắk Lắk Province is also among the most awaited for destinations in tours. Through the survey programme, representatives of businesses would choose suitable and attractive destinations and tours in Đắk Lắk Province for workers in the near future.

The Vietnamese market also has a low correlation with other markets, making Việt Nam an appealing destination for investment diversification. This performance surpasses that of the FTSE Asia-Pacific (3.3 per cent), FTSE Emerging (3.9 per cent), FTSE China A (-3.5 per cent), and FTSE ASEAN Extended (-1.1 per cent). It is set to reduce the payment time, enhance investment efficiency and market liquidity, and progressively align the Vietnamese stock market with international standards. This objective has been incorporated in the "Restructuring the stock market and insurance market up to 2020 with an orientation to 2025" project, as well as in the draft "Stock market development strategy until 2030". Accordingly, Việt Nam aspires to elevate its domestic stock market status from a frontier to an emerging market by 2025.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi (Photo: VNA)Part of Thu Duc city in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)– Some foreign ambassadors have expressed their belief that Vietnam will succeed in realising its 2045 vision of becoming a high-income country and contributing more to regional and global stability and development.Congratulating the State and people of Vietnam on the 78th National Day (September 2), Indonesian Ambassador Denny Abdi perceived that Vietnam’s enormous achievements in economic development over the past decades will promote its development momentum towards the realisation of the high-income country target by 2045.Indonesia also shares a common vision with Vietnam as it is exerting efforts to reach its goals by the centenary of its Independence Day in 2045, he noted.With similarities in their visions, the 10-year strategic partnership and their membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the two countries should keep stepping up cooperation and mutual support in the settlement of regional challenges and at international forums, he went on.The ambassador voiced his belief that the close and long-standing relations between Indonesia and Vietnam, founded by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Soekarno, will remain trustworthy and sustainable when both sides enhance their partnership and pursue common interests to bring about peace, stability, and prosperity to people of the two countries and the region at large.This year, Vietnam and Australia celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski affirmed that Vietnam is a highly important economic partner of his country.Vietnam is currently the 15th most populous country in the world and the fastest growing economy in Asia, he said, noting that all countries are paying special attention to the Southeast Asian nation.Meanwhile, economic ties between the two countries are growing rapidly, with Australia turning into the seventh largest trading partner of Vietnam in recent years, according to Goledzinowski.For his part, Dutch Ambassador Kees van Baar said among European countries, the Netherlands is the second largest trading partner and the biggest investor of Vietnam, and that there remains much potential for bilateral economic partnerships, including Vietnam’s exports to and imports from the EU.The EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has made Vietnam’s investment climate more attractive to foreign enterprises. Not many countries or regions have had such an agreement. This is one of the benefits generated by the EVFTA, the diplomat opined.He affirmed that the Netherlands will always stand side by side with Vietnam and help the latter establish its brand in export markets and remain a trustworthy partner of the EU in the coming time./.

HÀ NỘI — The market ended mixed on Thursday, with the benchmark VN-Index snapping its gaining streak of six days. The VN-Index on the Hồ Chí Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) declined 2.36 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 1,243.14 points. Also weighing on the sentiment, securities stocks also reported poor performances. SSI Securities Corporation (SSI) dipped 1.03 per cent, VIX Securities JSC (VIX) plummeted 1 per cent, SHS fell 1.05 per cent, and Hồ Chí Minh City Securities Corporation (HCM) down 1.47 per cent. Adding to the bearish, foreign investors were net sellers on the southern market as they net sold up to VNĐ884 billion.

An international visitor at an airport in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)Viet Fam, CEO of Vietfood Group. (Photo: VNA)– Israeli people and businesses have welcomed and highly valued Vietnam’s new visa policy, affirming that the country is taking steps to reform its procedures in order to make it easier for foreigners to vacation and do business in the Southeast Asian nation.The new visa policy, coming into force on August 15, is believed to open up various opportunities for tourism development Under the policy, the e-visa validity period is extended to 90 days from 30 days. Within 90 days after the e-visa is granted, foreigners can enter and exit Vietnam for unlimited times and without having to apply for new visas. Citizens of the countries are entitled to Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption to be granted a temporary residence period of 45 days, instead of 15 days like in the past, and have visa granting and temporary residence extension considered in line with regulations.Talking to the Vietnam News Agency in Tel Aviv, respondents said that instead of having to physically stamp visas onto passports, applying for e-visas will be more convenient, faster, and cost-effective.Eran Laufman, a resident of Yavne city said six months ago, he traveled to Vietnam and was impressed by famous destinations like Ha Long Bay and Sapa.

HCM CITY — HCM City is going to install more solar panels on the roofs of State administrative agencies and public service units. In 2021, with an output of nearly 300 million kWh, solar power in the city earned revenue of about VNĐ600 billion (US$25 million). Installation-related issues such as fire prevention, architecture and aesthetics must be handled to develop rooftop solar energy in the city, he said. When these details are clear, the procedure can be done quickly, and the city can enjoy more power from rooftop solar panels, he added. The city’s Industry and Trade Department said it is finishing procedures to install rooftop solar panels on State office buildings.

During India’s G20 Presidency, this has translated into a call for human-centric progress. Our G20 Presidency has played the role of a catalyst in these shifts. This was especially needed in the context of mainstreaming the marginalised aspirations of developing countries, the Global South and Africa. The G20 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on SDGs will spearhead the future direction of the G20 towards implementing SDGs. Ambitions for climate action must be matched with actions on climate finance and transfer of technology.

ASEAN countries must uphold the spirit of independence, self-reliance, self-resilience and respect for the rule of law, and stay steadfast to their fundamental principles and norms of conduct, he said. He affirmed that Vietnam will work closely with Laos, the Chair of ASEAN in 2024, to continue stepping up ASEAN's cooperation goals. The NA leader sought Japan’s continued supply of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam in socio-economic projects as well as its new-generation ODA programme for Vietnam, with preferential terms and simplified, flexible procedures. The host also committed all possible support for Japanese citizens and businesses to do business stably and successfully in Vietnam. Members of the Japanese House of Councillors described Vietnam as a top priority of Japan in its effort to diversify supply chains.

Participants in the ceremony held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy on September 5. (Photo: VNA)Rome (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy held a ceremony on September 5 night to celebrate the 78th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2023). Vice President of the Italian Senate Maurizio Gasparri told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent that Italy wants to strengthen friendship and respects Vietnam. Italian companies have been present in Vietnam, particularly the Piaggio Group which has operated effectively in Vietnamese and Asian markets. At the ceremony, participants were treated to musical performances and Vietnamese foods./.

Revenue in H1 of Damsan Joint Stock Company (ADS) increased by 14.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2022. In the second quarter of 2023, Century Fibre Joint Stock Company's (STK) revenue increased by 41.5 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2023 and net profit increased 22 times compared to the first quarter. However, in the second quarter of 2023 alone, export turnover reached $610.7 million, up 42 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2023 and slightly increased compared to the second quarter of 2022. Retail sales of textiles and footwear as of May in China increased by 2.3 per cent compared to April, and increased by 12.3 per cent compared to May 2022, reaching 107, 6 billion yuan. It is expected that when Unitex Factory is completed in 2025, the company will become the second largest yarn producer in the country.

Corporations such as Apple and Intel have begun to relocate factories to Việt Nam, drawn by its burgeoning capabilities and stable political environment. As these threads converge, Việt Nam emerges as a protagonist in the saga of global supply chains. Yet, along with opportunities, Việt Nam is facing many challenges. Corporate titans like Boeing, Google and Walmart have also expressed their intent to spread their wings across Việt Nam's business landscape. With labour costs rising, Việt Nam risks losing its once-advantageous position in cheap labour to countries like India, the Philippine, and Cambodia.

BALI — Experts have called on the Asia-Pacific region to embrace artificial intelligence to combat cyber threats. “The Asia-Pacific region is at the forefront of the AI revolution.”Several research studies have predicted that the Asia-Pacific region will be the fastest-growing market for AI globally. According to a recent report by IDC, some 65 per cent of Asia-Pacific organisations will embed AI across business technology categories by 2026, using AI to improve outcomes without reliance on technical talent. About 75 per cent of large Asia-Pacific organisations will use AI-infused processes to boost asset efficiency, streamline supply chains and improve product quality by 2026, it said. The Russian firm, founded in 1997, has signed agreements with various countries in the region, including Việt Nam, to help protect against cyber threats.

Vietnam’s wooden furniture and handicraft exports have shown signs of recovery in the past three months, according to Nguyễn Xuân Truyền, deputy director in charges of sales and marketing at Keico Company Limited. “The situation has shown improvement in the last three months since European buyers have begun sourcing again,” he said. Citing the Vietnam News, in July 2023, the exports of wooden furniture and handicrafts from Vietnam rose by 2.8 percent year-on-year, higher than the country’s overall export growth rate, to $1.1 billion. The main demand was in markets of Turkey, India, Chile, Cambodia, Finland, and Norway, said Trần Ngọc Liêm, director of the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s HCM City branch. Trần Quốc Mạnh, vice chairman of the Việt Nam Handicraft Exporters Association expressed his expectation, saying, “Hopefully by the end of this year or early 2024 at the latest, exports will fully recover.”Source: https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1593275/wooden-furniture-handicrafts-exports-show-signs-of-recovery.html

Hanoi street on the National Day holiday (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Leaders of Austria, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, and the Republic of Cyprus have cabled letters and messages of congratulations to the Vietnamese Party and State leaders, on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the National Day (September 2). President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of Malta George Vella, King of Morocco Mohamed VI, President of Pakistan Arif Alvi, President of Romania Klaus Werner Iohannis and President of Cyrus Nikos Christodoulides sent congratulatory letters and messages to President Vo Van Thuong. Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Prime Minister of Romania Ion Marcel Ciolacu also extended greetings to PM Pham Minh Chinh. On the occasion, Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Jalil Abbas Jilani and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania Luminita Odobescu also cabled congratulatory letters to their Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son./.