Photo for illustration. (Source: soha.vn)
According to Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam was the fifth largest buyer of US apples last year with an import value of USD51 million, up 48 percent year-on-year.
The figures were unveiled by Benjamin Petlock, Agricultural Attaché at the US Consulate General in Vietnam, at a recent programme promoting the fruit held by the Washington Apple Commission in Ho Chi Minh city.
In the first ten months of this year, imports reached USD40 million, compared to USD30 million recorded in the same period last year.
Petlock said American farmers expect higher apple consumption in the Southeast Asian country.
Trade between Vietnam and the US has grown strongly for many years and continues to set new records.
It was recorded at only USD220 million in 1994 when the US officially lifted economic sanctions against Vietnam, and reached USD1.4 billion in 2001 - the year before their bilateral trade agreement took effect. The figure hit USD58.8 billion in 2018 and USD35.4 billion in the first half of 2019./.
2020 Nguyen Hue Flower Street to open on January 22nd
The Nguyen Hue Flower Street for the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday will open at 19h00 from January 22nd to 28th, 2020 (from the 28th day of lunar December to 4th day of lunar January).
The design of the 2020 Nguyen Hue Flower Street
This year’s flower street will be designed in three main sections, spanning 70 meters of walking street; starting from the art fountain to Ton Duc Thang intersection.
Because 2020 is the Year of the Rat, the mascot of the flower street will be rats inspired by the famous Dong Ho painting “Dam Cuoi Chuot” (Rat’s Wedding).
The main display features a rat family playing music, which takes inspiration from the Rat’s Wedding. The folk painting is a sarcastic portrayal of a rat family having to bribe the big cat so that it will leave the wedding alone.
According to the organizers, the highlight of the flower street is the combination of natural elements, using technology and eco-friendly materials, marrying traditional flair and modern architecture while retaining a positive social message.
Work on the flower street will begin on January 8th.
Vietnam’s foreign trade to exceed USD500 billion in 2019
Vietnam News Agency reported that Vietnam’s foreign trade turnover is likely to surpass USD500 billion in 2019, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade (MoIT) Do Thang Hai said at a press conference in Hanoi on December 12th.
Photo for illustration. (Source: VNA)
The total import-export turnover in January-November was estimated at USD472 billion, he noted.
In the 11-month period, Vietnam exported USD241.7 billion worth of goods, a year-on-year rise of 7.9 percent. The country spent USD230.7 billion on imports, up 6.6 percent from the same period last year.
Mr Hai said these outcomes were achieved in the context of sluggish global economy due to increasing risks, challenges, and trade protectionism.
Despites difficulties in 2019, the Vietnamese Government and ministries have spared no effort to simplify administrative and investment procedures, said Nguyen Cam Trang, deputy head of the Import-Export Department under the MoIT.
To date, Vietnam has joined negotiation and signing of 16 free trade agreements (FTAs), with 12 already signed and coming into force, she said.
The Government and the MoIT have paid special attention to the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the dissemination of information on other FTAs, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), she added./.