Shrimp is the major export product to the Australian market
Nguyen Thu Huong, representative of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, said there are bright prospects ahead for seafood exports to Australia as o both countries are members of several free trade agreements, including the RCEP, which is currently the world’s largest free trade deal.
Australian seafood demand has increased significantly over the past three decades, with consumption demand reaching one million tonnes annually. Australia’s population continues to enjoy rapid growth and is expected to reach 40 million people by 2050.
At present, aside from Asian supermarket chains, several Vietnamese seafood products have hit the shelves of the Australian wholesale and retail supermarket system.
To get a firm foothold in Australia, Huong said Vietnamese exporters should pay close attention to a number of issues, including import duties, payment methods, and biosecurity regulations set by the Biosecurity Act 2015 which includes stringent requirements in term of labeling and additives in food products.
Vietnam surpasses China to become the largest supplier of seafood products to Australia. (Photo: congthuong.vn)
Vietnamese firms have been recommended to deal with high costs of logistics and ensure sustainability of aquatic farming, one of the criteria for Australian consumers to select imported products.
Most notably, local enterprises must pay attention to the competitiveness of their products as Australia also imports seafood products from Thailand, China, and Indonesia, in addition to those from Vietnam, Huong warned.
In addition, the businesses are required to accelerate trade promotions as part of efforts to popularize their brands in the Australian market, while at the same time effectively utilising tariff incentives under the RCEP and meeting regulations on sanitary and phytosanitary measures before exporting to the fastidious market.
According to statistics compiled by the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnamese aquatic exports to Australia during the opening four months of the year surged by 53.8% to USD128 million, with shrimp and fish being the main export products.
Da Nang investment promotion forum 2022 slated for late June
The centrally run city of Da Nang will host an investment promotion forum on June 25 to popularize its investment potential, advantages and opportunities among domestic and foreign businesses, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
A panoramic view of Da Nang City.
Approximately 600 delegates representing domestic and foreign businesses and organisations will attend the forum.
“The forum is also an opportunity for the city government to directly exchange views with businesses and investors about the goals and development potential of Da Nang,” said Ho Ky Minh, deputy head of the municipal government at a press briefing held on May 31.
“At the same time we would like to listen to businesses’ suggestions and recommendations in an attempt to improve the local investment and business environment to make it an attractive investment destination in Vietnam,” he said.
The city is expected to announce a list of projects to call for local and foreign investment. It will make public an overall urban development plan, organize groundbreaking and inauguration ceremonies of several investment projects, and conduct fact-finding trips to major economic establishments.
Besides its investment promotion forum, it will host the 16th Asian Route development forum (Routes Asia 2022) from June 4-9 to promote and connect flight networks in Asia and the Pacific.
Last year Da Nang licensed an additional 22 domestic investment projects with a total registered capital of nearly VND4,700 billion and approved 39 new foreign direct investment projects capitalized at nearly USD150 million.
Vingroup, Intel ink MoU to develop advanced technologies
Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup on May 31 announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Intel to create a wide range of advanced computing systems, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup (sixth from left) shakes hands with Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO at the signing ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
Under the MoU, the two sides will work to explore opportunities for 5G-enabled smart city and smart building solutions, which can be applied to Vinhomes' Smart City projects. They will also collaborate in creating and deploying smart factory Internet of Things (IOT) solutions for VinES batteries manufacturing and VinFast electric vehicles manufacturing.
Both companies will also work together to define a shared vision of future in-vehicle computing platforms and build scalable in-vehicle computing platforms for ADAS based on Mobileye technology and infotainment systems.
Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup said that Vingroup has always been a pioneer in bringing consumers smart products and services integrated with world-class technologies, advanced features and outstanding experiences to improve their lives.
Meanwhile, Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO said the company has the depth and breadth of software, silicon and platforms, and process with at-scale manufacturing our partners need for their next-generation innovations.
Vingroup recently adjusted its orientation and redefined three key groups of activities, namely technology and industry, trade and services, and social enterprise.
To develop the technology and industry group, it focuses on two main strategies, namely building Vingroup's technology ecosystem and connecting global intelligence – cooperating with the world's leading technology partners to accelerate the application of the most advanced and new technologies to Vingroup's products and services.
UNFPA further helps Vietnam respond to gender-based violence
The Vietnam Farmers' Union (VFU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on May 31 launched a 7-million-USD project to prevent, combat and respond to violence and other harmful behaviours in the 2022 – 2026 period, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
The project is part of the 10th country programme for Vietnam funded by UNFPA in the 2022 – 2026 period.
As a coordinator of the project, the VFU’s Central Committee will closely coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to deploy it in Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang and Lam Dong.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Vice Chairman of VFU Nguyen Xuan Dinh thanked UNFPA for its technical support over the past years, saying he hopes the project will contribute to reducing gender-based violence against women and girls in Vietnam.
The VFU pledged to practically and effectively implement the project, towards meeting the needs and ensuring the safety of Vietnamese women and girls, and ensuring social standards and preventing harmful acts and gender stereotypes - which are the root causes of gender-based violence.
Emphasising that violence against women is one of the most common violations of human rights existing in many countries around the world, including Vietnam, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam Naomi Kitahara said within the framework of its 10th country programme for Vietnam, the agency will support the VFU to come up with innovative initiatives towards digital application in order to promote change in social perception, and behaviour.
UNFPA will also assist in mobilising men and boys to engage in solving problems and building healthy and non-violent relationships, she said.
According to UNFPA, the project will support advocacy and advice on amending the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, and Gender Equality Law.
A survey supported by UNFPA in 2019 showed that nearly two in three married women (almost 63 percent) have experienced one or more forms of physical, sexual, emotional and economic violence and controlling behaviours by their husbands in their lifetime. About 48 percent of victims did not tell anyone about the violence they endured, and 90.4 percent did not seek any help from public services.
The survey also reflected a higher rate of violence against women in rural areas than in urban areas./.