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| EuroCham launches its 2022-2023 Whitebook in Hanoi on February 15. (Photo: VNA) |
The annual publication presents policy recommendations that aim at resolving regulatory hurdles and facilitating the growth of the country's economy, focusing on areas of health care, the green economy and sustainability, and innovation and investment.
EuroCham Chairman Alain Cany said that the introduction of the Whitebook, along with relevant discussions, has brought about chances to seek solutions for the development of all areas.
EuroCham also gives recommendations on waste water management, offshore wind power development, and green building, along with new regulations on visas and work permits to attract foreign workforce.
He pledged that EuroCham will coordinate with Vietnam in creating opportunities for all parties.
Thomas Wiersing, chargé d’affaires of the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam, said that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agrement (EVFTA) has facilitated import-export and investment of both the EU and Vietnam, adding that the launch of the Whitebook will help strengthen bilateral cooperation in investment and attract more capital to Vietnam.
In order to effectively implement the EVFTA and this cooperation, Wiersing expressed his hope for more support from businesses and the Government of Vietnam to make full use of the existing advantages brought about by the deal.
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| Delegates at the launch othe Whitebook (Photo: VNA) |
According to the Whitebook, Vietnam has great opportunities in investment and development of renewable energy and wind power as an alternative solution to support the country's transition.
Stuart Livesey from the Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) said that new energy sources such as offshore wind power require huge investment. However, the complexity of these projects mainly comes from a lack of a legal and policy framework, which has slowed down the investment capital flows needed to achieve net-zero emissions, he said.
Participants said they expect clearer information on Vietnam's power development plan and its related policies, along with the rapid development of a legal and policy framework to enable the private sector to engage in national energy investment.
Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said many aspects such as energy transition, renewable energy development, low carbon hydrogen, waste-to-energy or green tourism are new. In order to attract investment to these areas, it is necessary to put in place the necessary measures and policies as soon as possible to provide a clear context for foreign investors, he recommended.
US aims to increase tea imports from Vietnamese market
Vietnam is currently the fifth largest tea supplier to the United States, with the North American country aiming to increase tea imports from the Vietnamese market and reduce tea imports from others, reported VOV News.
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| Photo for illustration. (Source: VOV) |
The Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade quoted statistics from the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) as saying that US tea imports in 2022 stood at 121,500 tonnes, worth US$516.2 million, marking an increase of 4.8% in volume and 2% in value compared to 2021.
The average price of imported tea into the US last year stood at US$4,249.3 per tonne, representing an annual decrease of 2.6% year on year.
Argentina, China, and India made up the three main tea suppliers to the US market, accounting for 61% of the market’s tea imports.
The US moved to increase its tea imports from China and reduce the imports from Argentina and India, providing a chance to help Vietnam raise tea exports to this lucrative market.
Tea imports from China reached 14,900 tonnes in volume, up 22.2%, and US$64.4 million in value, up 17.9%, compared to 2021’s figures.
Vietnam emerged as the fifth largest tea supplier to the US in 2022, selling 6,400 tonnes for US$9.8 million, up 10.6% in volume and 18.4% in value year on year.
The proportion of the US’s tea imports from Vietnam accounted for 5.2% in 2022, rising by 0.2% year on year.
Black tea and green tea were the two main types of tea imported by the US.
Vietnamese durian set to bag 1 billion USD this year
Vietnam’s agricultural export turnover is expected to reach 4 billion USD in 2023, of which durian exports will hit at least 1 billion USD, according to Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.
On February 15, at a press conference of International Exhibition and Conference for Horticultural and Floricultural Production and Processing Technology (HortEx Vietnam 2023), Mr. Dang Phuc Nguyen said that Vietnam's agricultural product export in early 2023 saw optimistic signs. Notably, the Chinese market promises to prosper as many official agricultural export protocols are signed, opening more opportunities for many fruit and vegetable products.
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| Durian is expected to bring in 1 billion USD in 2023 (Photo: Chanh Thu company) |
Dang Phuc Nguyen also said that Vietnamese agricultural products exported to China depend on the code of the growing area and the packing facility granted by the country. So far, Vietnam has been granted a total of 113 growing area codes and packing facilities by China. This number is expected to continue to increase in the near future.
According to Nguyen, although many Vietnamese agricultural products have been exported Europe, this is still a difficult market as products are tested for drug residues very carefully.
China is still Vietnam’s main market. However, agricultural experts note, Vietnamese enterprises should not completely depend on China but need to diversify markets.
Nguyen stressed that HortEx Vietnam 2023 will be a good opportunity for businesses to meet international buyers to expand export markets.
HortEx Vietnam 2023 is expected to attract the participation of 200 brands from 25 countries and territories, and to welcome about 8,000 trade visitors. The exhibition will take place from March 1-3 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.
HCM City has additional hospital with a helipad
The People’s Hospital 115 on February 15 has put into operation the hi-tech diagnostic and treatment center building with a helipad to support stroke and heart attack emergency aid.
At the event, Mr. Duong Anh Duc, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, said that the city is making efforts to invest in developing a health system on par with other countries in the region and the world. The project is invested with more than 332 billion VND from the city budget, andh is complete with modern equipment meeting international standards.
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| The hi-tech diagnostic and treatment center building is expected to create a new impetus for HCM City’s healthcare. (Photo: tienphong.vn) |
The city’s leaders expect that the project will create conditions for doctors and nurses to promote their abilities, contributing to treating difficult diseases, and saving many lives of people in the city and the region.
Doctor Phan Van Bau, Director of People’s Hospital 115, said that the building consists of 10 floors, has a helipad, 2 basements and a tunnel system connecting to the emergency and inpatient treatment area. The total construction floor area of the project is nearly 20,000 square meters.
In the near future, the hi-tech diagnostic and treatment area will be a 4.0 technology building, implementing high technologies, including molecular biomedicine, intensive screening, early diagnosis and treatment of stroke, neurological, cardiovascular, and oncology.
After the operation, the hospital will deploy air medical services and be a medical training and practice base both at home and abroad./.