MoFA Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang speaks at a press meeting of the ministry. (Photo: VNA)– Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang on November 9 emphasised Vietnam’s appeal for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel - Hamas conflict zone.“Vietnam strongly condemns the violent attacks against civilians, humanitarian workers, journalists, and essential infrastructure facilities,” Hang responded to a reporter’s question about the escalating tension in the zone of the Israel - Hamas conflict while addressing the ministry’s regular press meeting.“In the spirit of the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at the emergency special session on October 27, we call on the parties concerned to exercise an immediate ceasefire, adhere to international law and international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, open a humanitarian corridor, and immediately release the hostages taken.“Vietnam welcomes and supports efforts by the international community to promote the parties’ self-restraint, dialogue, and settlement of differences by peaceful means on the basis of international law and the relevant resolutions of the UN to achieve a just, appropriate, and long-term solution to the Middle East peace process,” the official added./.

However, integrating and incorporating ESG standards into brand development still faces numerous difficulties and challenges. He said an increasing number of foreign investors have been making the implementation of ESG a key priority in investing in Việt Nam in recent years. Vinh said businesses can use the Corporate Sustainability Index, established by VCCI in 2016, to review their ESG performance to identify weaknesses and potential. She said that once successfully implemented, ESG will play an important part in helping businesses identify key issues and realise their full potential. During the event, participants discussed difficulties and challenges in the implementation of ESG in Việt Nam, as well as international experiences and recommendations to help the government and businesses adopt the standards.

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese-American Business Council (VABC) with support from the American Chamber of Commerce in Việt Nam organised a trade promotion programme between Montgomery County in Maryland of the US and Vietnamese businesses in HCM City on Tuesday. The event provides opportunities for Vietnamese investors and businesses to learn more about Montgomery County's strengths and opportunities for business development through co-operation with government, agencies and business organisations of Montgomery County. Within the framework of the event, many investors have shared opportunities for co-operation in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology. It will play a consulting role, connecting partners and information with senior government officials, business leaders and trade organisations from Montgomery County and Việt Nam. Montgomery County, Maryland, is the third largest biotechnology center in the US, with strengths in the fields of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, cyber security technology.

Illustrative image (Photo: baodautu.vn)Vietnam has necessary conditions and factors to develop the semiconductor industry. According to HSBC, half of Samsung's global smartphone output comes from Vietnam. This has also encouraged other tech giants, especially Apple, to expand their operations.Do Van Su, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Agency, said that there is a shift of capital from North American investors to Vietnam. To date, US-based Apple has completed the transfer of 11 audio-visual equipment factories to the Southeast Asian nation. The country has been increasingly attracting major semiconductor corporations from the Republic of Korea, Taiwan (China), and the US.According to her, US President Joe Biden's visit to the country in September and the jointly announced upgrade of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategy was a demonstration of the US and Vietnam's cooperation in innovation and development of the semiconductor industry as their highest priorities.At the ongoing sixth plenary session of the 15th National Assembly, in a report on the goals and targets of Vietnam's economy in 2023, 2024 and the following years, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised the development of several key industries that Vietnam is aiming for, including the processing, manufacturing, and semiconductor industries.According to Minister Dung, Vietnam has a wealth of potential, opportunities and all the necessary conditions and factors to develop the semiconductor ecosystem./.

He also suggested increasing the frequency of flights between the two countries to boost people-to-people exchanges and tourism cooperation. On this occasion, he invited Eliane Tillieux and a delegation of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives to visit Vietnam. Congratulating Juan Carlos Fernandes Juarez on assuming his duty as Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam, President Thuong expressed his belief that during the term, the Vietnam - Venezuela cooperation will obtain new achievements. The city has also pushed ahead with the rural tourism development programme in line with the 2021-2025 new rural development strategy. The exhibitions of traditional costumes of Vietnamese ethnic groups have helped him raise funds for humanitarian projects in Vietnam.

The 39th Havana International Fair ( FIHAV ), the largest annual event of its kind in Cuba and the Caribbean region, lasts from November 6 to 13 with the participation of over 800 businesses from 60 countries and territories worldwide. (Illustrative image - Source: Prensa Latina)Vietnam on November 8 opened its 400-sq.m national pavilion at the 39th Havana International Fair (FIHAV), the largest annual event of its kind in Cuba and the Caribbean region.The fair lasts from November 6 to 13 with the participation of over 800 businesses from 60 countries and territories worldwide.Representatives of 16 Vietnamese firms are present at the fair, with more than 50 others sending their products for display. The Vietnamese space is showcasing agricultural products, processed food, household items, construction materials, interior and exterior decorations, vaccines, and biological products.Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cuban Minister of Transport Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila expressed his gratitude to Vietnam for maintaining a strong relationship and cooperation with the Caribbean nation for over the past six decades, especially in times of hardship. He noted that the Southeast Asian country has become Cuba’s second-largest trading partner in Asia and the largest rice supplier in the world.The minister expressed his confidence that Vietnamese enterprises will continue to invest and operate steadily in Cuba for the development and benefits of the two countries' people.Deputy Director of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) Hoang Minh Chien said bilateral trade reached 181.8 million USD in 2022.On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba, in collaboration with the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and relevant units, organised a Vietnam-Cuba business forum within the framework of FIHAV 2023.The event gathered more than 100 Vietnamese and Cuban enterprises with capabilities and experience in various fields such as farm produce, food and beverages, household appliances, handicrafts, agricultural and construction machinery, and healthcare./.

HÀ NỘI — The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has received a request for anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations on frozen warmwater shrimp imported from a number of countries, including Việt Nam, according to the Trade Remedies Authority of Việt Nam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). The DOC was asked to investigate frozen warmwater shrimp products with codes HS 0306.17, 1605.21 and 1605.29 imported from Ecuador, India, Indonesia and Việt Nam. Việt Nam is included in the list as Vietnamese shrimp products have been subject to anti-dumping taxes by the US since 2004, said the authority. The authority said that the plaintiff requested the DOC to initiate an anti-subsidy investigation on both frozen and fresh shrimp from Việt Nam and alleged that subsidies for fresh shrimp suppliers are considered subsidies for frozen shrimp producers and exporters as fresh raw shrimp accounts for a large proportion of up to 95 per cent of the value of frozen warmwater shrimp of Việt Nam. The DOC is expected to announce its decision to whether initiate the investigation or not on November 14.

Business Vietnam treasures relations with Russia: PM Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on November 9 affirmed that Vietnam always treasures its relations with Russia and remembers the wholeheartedly support the country has given to Vietnam during its national protection, construction and development. Business Mekong Connect Forum to run in HCM City in mid-November The Mekong Connect 2023 Forum will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on November 15 and 16, highlighting the connection of supply and value chains between the city and 13 Mekong Delta localities towards a green and sustainable economy. Business Italian firms promote packaging products, technologies in Vietnam Products of leading Italian firms in the packing production, processing and packaging sector are being introduced at the 16th International Processing and Packaging Exhibition and Conference for Vietnam (ProPak Vietnam 2023), which is taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from November 8-10.Business Carbon mechanism prompts exporters to green up: Experts The European Union (EU)’ Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a challenge for many sectors of Vietnam but also a motivation for businesses to speed up green transition to meet sustainable production standards, heard a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on November 8.

Gaerte unveiled the information at a working session with the Sports Authority of Vietnam in Hanoi on November 7. iLead leadership values education programme is a cooperation programme between Shinhan Life Insurance Vietnam Limited Liability Company, BNJ Vietnam Company Limited (BNJ) and SOS Children's Village Vietnam. Shinhan Life Vietnam and BNJ Vietnam also awarded the children certificates of merit as a special recognition and encouragement, encouraging their efforts and self-improvement in their journey to adulthood. Waste recycling activities not live up to public expectationsThe hierarchy gives top priority to recycling, and other types of recovery in environmental management policy in Vietnam. Chairman of the Vietnam Waste Recycling Association Tran Viet Anh also said that it is estimated that Vietnam generates about 64,000 tons of household solid waste every day and this number of household solid waste is constantly increasing over the years.

The figure surpassed the target set for the year by 20%. Among the workers sent abroad in the period, some 44,700 were female, accounting for nearly 30%. Japan remained the top destination of Vietnamese guest workers with 67,500, followed by Taiwan (China), with more than 50,960, the Republic of Korea with approximately 6,000, and China with nearly 1,700. According to statistics from enterprises, about 21,100 laborers were sent abroad in October alone. Previously, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has issued a decree regulating economic, and technical norms on foreign language training, for Vietnamese laborers working abroad under contracts./.

– A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) led by General Director Vu Viet Trang is on a working visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from November 7-10 at the invitation of President and CEO of the RoK’s Yonhap News Agency Seong Ghi-hong.While in Seoul, Trang met with RoK Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin on November 8, who stressed that Vietnam and the RoK elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022, and expressed his hope for stronger cooperation in the coming time.The minister highly valued close collaboration between the VNA and Yonhap, saying he hopes that the news agencies will play a more active role in promoting the Vietnam-RoK cooperation. VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang (L) and President and CEO of the RoK’s Yonhap News Agency Seong Ghi-hong exchange souvenirs. (Photo: VNA)Trang briefed the minister on the VNA’s role and functions, and emphasised the effectiveness of the long-term, comprehensive cooperation between the two news agencies.Information exchanges as well as the diverse forms of cooperation between the two news agencies have contributed to bringing information to the public in a timely manner, she said.The same day, Trang and Seong held talks, during which the Yonhap leader affirmed that cooperation with the VNA is at the highest point in the Korean news agency’s foreign relations with more than 100 news agencies and newspapers across the world.For her part, Trang reviewed cooperation between the two news agencies over the past nearly 30 years, saying the relationship has grown constantly and been maintained at both bilateral and multilateral forums.In the new situation, the two news agencies should put forth appropriate orientations to meet their own development requirements and tasks while contributing to enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK, she said.Trang said that the VNA is pushing ahead with digital transformation in information production and dissemination. Meanwhile, Yonhap is one of the pioneering news agencies in digital transformation and information product restructuring.Therefore, the VNA hopes that Yonhap will share information about its model, organisational structure, and competitive information products, she continued, noting Yonhap's development experience will be very useful to the VNA's digital transformation.The two sides agreed to step up information exchange to raise mutual understanding between the two countries' people, and coordinate to quickly and promptly provide information of public concern, contributing to guiding public opinion and refuting fake news.

According to a recent report released by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company, Vietnam is set to post a 31% growth in gross merchandise value from 23 billion USD in 2022 to 49 billion USD in 2025. VNAThe six major economies covered in the report, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, will achieve the milestone of 200 billion USD by 2025, three years earlier than scheduled.Vietnam ranks first in the group of six leading digital economies in Southeast Asia in terms of growth rate in 2022, of which its e-commerce has the highest growth rate in the region.Experts believe that despite existing difficulties in the world and region, Vietnam’s gross merchandise value will reach 50 billion USD in 2025./.

The new salary regime is part of a bigger plan for comprehensive salary reform being drafted by the Government in accordance with Resolution No. Economically, salary reform will create the driving force for economic growth. This will help improve the quality and professionalism of the workforce, and reduce the number of incompetent public servants. Reasonable restructuring will help create more resources to carry out wage reform. However, this sum is just enough for a short period while the wage reform is meant to last long.

HCM CITY — The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has launched an anti-dumping investigation on aluminum extrusions and products made from aluminum from 15 countries, including Việt Nam. Việt Nam accounted for approximately 7.6 per cent of total exports to the US in 2022, making it the fourth highest exporting country. The petitioners have identified around 14 Vietnamese companies believed to have dumped aluminum products into the US market. Currently, the US still considers Việt Nam a non-market economy. The Việt Nam Trade Remedies Authority advises companies to update information and submit documents through the DOC’s online portal https://access.trade.gov/login.aspx.

At the opening ceremony (Photo: VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army Sen. Lieut. Gen Phung Si Tan attended the Defence & Security 2023 show that opened in Thailand on November 6, with over 500 leading defence manufacturers from 45 countries globally taking part. Under the auspices of the Thai Ministry of Defence, the show is held biennially over the past two decades as a premier regional security and defence event in Southeast Asia. Running from November 6-9, the exhibition features a wide range of military products catering to combat solutions for land, sea, and air forces. Defence and security equipment on display include weapon systems, firearms, missiles, tanks, UAVs, transport and naval vessels, satellite and communications technologies, electronic defence technology, artillery control systems, launchers and other crucial military systems, both hardware and software.