State budget collection from import-export activities reached 285.62 trillion VND (12.53 billion USD) in the first nine months of 2021. (Photo: VNA)
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the smuggling of goods across the borders tended to decrease in the reviewed period. However, drugs trafficking still occurred on air routes and on borderlines of Lao Cai and Quang Tri provinces.
The custom force detected 3,129 violation cases from June 16 to September 15, seizing goods of 304.36 billion VND and contributing 48.49 billion VND to the State budget.
It initiated legal proceedings against 10 cases and suggested relevant agencies launch criminal proceedings against 26 other cases.
19 Vietnamese people win Australian scholarship in agriculture
The Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) has announced the cohort of 19 Vietnamese agricultural scientists, researchers and managers joining its John Dillon Fellowship (JDF) 2021.
The John Dillon Scholarship 2021 has the participation of many young leaders in the field of agriculture.
Established in 2002 in recognition of Professor John L Dillon's life-long commitment to agricultural research, the JDF aims to develop mid-career professionals' leadership and management skills, particularly targeting scientists, researchers and economists working in agriculture research for development from ACIAR partner countries.
In response to COVID-19, ACIAR has changed the program focus to country-specific instead of global. Therefore, the JDF Vietnam 2021 presents the largest and most diverse selection of Vietnamese fellows compared to all previous years. These fellows are nominated by 13 participating organisations and thoughtfully selected by ACIAR and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
“Capacity building for Vietnamese agriculture researchers has always been an essential part of the 28-year collaboration between ACIAR and MARD. It is recognised as one of the most critical and sustainable results of our partnership. Many Vietnamese researchers have developed their professional capacity and networks after joining the JDF and become leaders and change drivers at work,” said Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Le Quoc Doanh.
The JDF Vietnam 2021 is expected to help address research and scientific management challenges and help us take our agriculture and rural development to the next level
“Another new feature of the 2021 JDF program is the design and implementation of collaborative projects by groups of fellows. The project is a vehicle for the fellows to apply what they learn from the program to solve a pressing challenge within research, agricultural extension, policy or management. In doing projects, they will also interact with relevant industry professionals to expand their network,” said H.E Ms Robyn Mudie, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam.
The new cohort will start with online training in late October 2021, design and implement their collaborative projects throughout 2022 and go to Australia for a study tour in late 2022 when international travel is allowed.
Some 1.3 billion VND to assist vulnerable migrant workers in HCM City
Oxfam in Vietnam, in collaboration with the New Zealand Embassy and the Embassy of Switzerland, on October 5 announced a humanitarian aid project of nearly VND 1.3 billion to assist vulnerable migrant workers in Ho Chi Minh City overcome the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
Representatives of the Embassies of New Zealand and Swiss at the online announcement. (Source: vietbao.vn)
Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Quang Tu – Deputy Country Director, Oxfam Vietnam appreciated the solidarity from the New Zealand and Swiss Embassies in providing support to people in need and leaving no-one behind. Humanitarian assistance is an important program in Oxfam’s country strategy. Cash provision is the first line of critical and pragmatic support, which offers people a maximum degree of choice, flexibility and dignity.
“We will also do further research to identify priorities in supporting communities’ recovery from COVID-19 crisis”, he added.
Over the next three months, the aid package will provide cash relief of 1.5 million VND to those in most need, following the on-going humanitarian crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in the epicenter of Ho Chi Minh City.
Over 700 of the most vulnerable migrant workers, especially women, in the most severely hit districts (Districts 4, 6, 9, 7,11, 12 and Bình Thạnh), will receive a cash grant to help purchase essentials such as food and medicine.
The cash grants will be delivered by Oxfam’s partner organisations - the Center for Disability and Development (DRD), and the Center for Social Work Research and Community Development (SDRC) – who will work closely with local government and mass organizations.
“This project demonstrates the strong partnership between New Zealand and Vietnam,” said New Zealand Chargé d’Affaires to Vietnam, Joseph Mayhew said. “This project is a practical initiative to help ease the economic impacts of COVID-19 on workers and their families. I am proud to say that through the Head of Embassy’s Fund, we have been able to support more than 3,000 women throughout Vietnam impacted by COVID-19 in the last 12 months.”
“Switzerland stands with Vietnam to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, Switzerland has delivered medical supplies worth USD 5.5 million (VND 126 billion) to Vietnam. Today, the Swiss Embassy is pleased to announce our humanitarian contribution to support vulnerable groups in HCMC, in joint partnership with Oxfam and SDRC”, said Vanessa Di Giorgi, Diplomatic Attaché at the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam.
The relief package was established following rapid assessments in August 2021 conducted by Oxfam in Vietnam, and the two partner organizations, among migrant workers affected by COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City.
The assessment found many informal migrant workers are facing a downward spiral of survival hardship. They have lost their jobs and income due to prolonged social distancing, and have few other options for receiving support./.