A semi-trailer to be exported to the US (Photo: congthuong.vn)
In particular, it has recently cooperated with a US partner to export semi-trailers manufactured in Chu Lai, Vietnam’s Quang Nam province, to the US market, one of the most demanding markets in the world with strict quality standard requirements.
The success was gained as since 2016, THACO has invested in a factory specializing in manufacturing and supplying high quality semi-trailers and special-purpose heavy-duty trailers with functions suitable for Vietnamese and foreign markets.
The plant is invested with modern equipment systems; and advanced, automated and synchronous technologies. The product quality is checked by modern devices imported from Japan, Italy and the Republic of Korea.
So far, THACO has exported semi-trailers and concrete mixing tanks to Columbia and the Republic of Korea, while the products are going to be exported to the US. In particular, semi-trailers are the key export products that meet the certificate of eligibility for transportation in the US, Japan and ASEAN countries.
The US is a very challenging but high potential market, after a thorough inspection, THACO met and discussed cooperation strategy with a number of large customers, including PITTS Enterprises, one of the 15 largest semi-trailer manufacturers in North America with a history of more than 100 years.
In February, PITTS Enterprises and THACO signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in production and distribution of semi-trailers in the US market. Accordingly, Dorsey Intermodal, a subsidiary of PITTS Enterprises, will be the representative of THACO in North America.
As planned, at the end of May, THACO will export 69 semi-trailers to the US market and sign a semi-trailer distribution contract with PITTS Enterprises. This year, it is expected to export more than 1,600 types of vehicles with a total value of more than USD50 million.
Southern province’s export increases by 3.6%
Export activities are forecast to meet difficulties in the second quarter. (Photo: congthuong.vn)
Import-export activities in the southern province of Binh Duong in the first quarter of this year saw growth despite the negative impact caused by COVID-19, the provincial Department of Industry and Trade has reported.
In particular, the export turnover was estimated at over USD5.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 3.6%. Notably, the key export items with export growth included textiles, with an increase of 3.7%; footwear, 3.1%; wooden products, 3.5%; and computers and electronic products, 3.4%. Meanwhile, the import turnover was at USD4.2 billion, an increase of 4.3%, leading to a trade surplus of USD1.6 billion.
According to Mr. Ho Van Binh, Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, import-export activities will continue to meet difficulties in the second quarter as the complex development of COVID-19 continues globally. To support businesses, Binh Duong province has been focusing on carrying out groups of solutions to tackle their difficulties and create favorable conditions for businesse to access capital, credit, finance, tax, commerce and electronic payment.
Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Tran Thanh Liem expressed his belief that with the efforts of the Government and Binh Duong, especially ongoing policies in support of finance, banking, tax and administrative procedures, businesses will soon overcome difficulties, recover production and continue to grow at the end of the year.
British newspaper praises Vietnamese posters on COVID-19 prevention
The poster by artist Luu Yen The carries a message that wearing masks adequately helps efficiently prevent COVID-19.
British newspaper The Guardian on April 9th posted an article showing admiration and appraisal for artists drawing propaganda posters against COVID-19 in Vietnam.
The poster of a masked healthcare worker standing valiant as a soldier, flanked by a bold slogan proclaiming “to stay at home is to love your country” is one of the propaganda posters which shows Vietnam’s spirit in the fight against COVID-19.
The newspaper quoted the poster’s author, artist Le Duc Hiep, saying, “After the Government called for people to stay at home to help prevent Covid-19, I was browsing social networks and saw many people still gathering and going out to coffee shops and restaurants… that really bothered me.”
“I wanted to make something that can go viral, raise awareness and inspire people to do the right thing,” he adds. “I chose the propaganda style because it’s familiar to Vietnamese people and this style always invokes patriotic emotions.”
According to the article, Hiep is not the only Vietnamese artist drawing propaganda posters on COVID-19 prevention. Artist Pham Trung Ha “joined forces with the Ministry of Health and Vietnam Stamp Company to work on two designs, each with the aim of ‘sending clear messages of solidarity in the fight against Covid-19,’” the article said.
“One shows medical workers busy testing for coronavirus; behind them a clenched fist rises, symbolising resistance and defiance,” the article described a poster.
The article also noted that despite undergoing treatment for cancer, 73-year-old artist Luu Yen The submitted two designs to Vietnam’s culture ministry, both of which were accepted and now hang over city streets.
It earmarked female artist Huynh Kim Lien’s saying of determination in joining hands with the Government in the fight against the pandemic: “In Vietnam, the government says we are at war with the virus; so, as artists, we do our job in a war: we draw.”
The Guardian appreciated Vietnam’s prevention of COVID-19. “Despite a border with China, the nation has kept confirmed cases low through quarantining, contact tracing, testing - and propaganda”./.