Photo for illustration (Source: baochinhphu.vn)
According to an industry study of 11 Asia-Pacific markets carried out by the GSMA Intelligence, Vietnam saw the highest increase in scores between 2016 and 2019.
Its latest rating stood at 49 points for 2019, up by 12 points from three years before, which GSMA Intelligence attributed to notable improvements in the connectivity component of the index, following the launch and rapid expansion of 4G networks.
It was also driven by improvements to the digital identity, digital citizenship and digital lifestyle components, added the report.
GSMA Intelligence noted that Vietnam is pursuing a national Industry 4.0 strategy that includes infrastructure and human resources, as well as e-government and innovation.
However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed to make further progress, particularly in the digital commerce component and with regard to policies to support innovative startups, the report added. The 5G mobile technology is expected to make up 5 percent of wireless connections in Vietnam by 2025, well below the Asia-Pacific average of 23 percent.
Indeed, Vietnam ranked just eighth overall, among of the 11 markets surveyed. The rankings were topped by four “advanced” economies, with the Republic of Korea (RoK) in pole position at 78 points. Next up were Singapore, Australia and Japan.
The report classed Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia as “transition” countries, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are “emerging”.
It said the gap remains significant. This underscores the need for countries in the emerging category to do more to accelerate progress.
The study was based on input from government and industry organisations in the markets of Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, the RoK, Thailand and Vietnam.
Russia increases import of fresh Vietnamese pomelos
The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that there remains plenty of room for local businesses to boost fruit exports to the Russian market following the recent boost in the import of fresh pomelos from the Vietnamese market, Radio the Voice of Vietnam reported.
Photo for illustration (Source: thuongtruong.com.vn)
Vietnam exported 19 tonnes of pomelos worth USD71,000 to Russia during the first eight months of the year, representing an increase of 683.2% in volume and 355.9% in value compared to the same period last year.
Indeed, the average import price of fresh pomelos in the Russian market stands at USD796.3 per tonne, a year-on-year decline of 1.7%.
Previously, China had been the largest supplier of pomelos to Russia, exporting approximately 5,000 containers of pomelos annually. However, with an import ban being imposed on Chinese pomelos, Russia has switched to importing pomelos from other markets such as Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
According to experts, pomelo exports are anticipated to enjoy an increase in the future, with Chile officially permitting imports of pomelos from the country from mid-October.
Furthermore, the EU has allowed the official import of pomelos from the nation since the enforcement of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), while fresh pomelos will be officially granted a license for export to the United States later this year.
These moves are expected to open up bright export prospects to a number of demanding markets throughout the remainder of the year.
Currently, pomelos and durians also represent priority fruit during negotiations for exports to the Chinese market via official channels.
Storm Goni to batter central region with torrential downpour
Goni, the 10th storm to reach the East Sea this year, is forecast to make landfall in the central region, which was hit by a number of devastating storms and floods in October, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Direction of Goni, the 10th storm to reach the East Sea this year (Photo: nchmf.gov.vn)
According to Director of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Mai Van Khiem, the storm entered the East Sea gusting up to 88 kilometres per hour around 30 hours it hit the Philippines with velocity of up to 183 kilometres.
It will make landfall with wind speeds of 60-75 kilometres per hour, and there is a little chance for it to gain strength, he said.
From 1am on November 3 to 1am on November 4, the storm is 310 kilometres southeast of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, and moves westwards at 10 kilometres per hour.
For the next 24 hours, it will lay centred around 190 kilometres off the waters from Quang Ngai to Khanh Hoa provinces, with the strongest winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour.
From 1am on November 5 to 1am November 6, the storm is expected to move southwest, and weaken to a low tropical pressure zone.
According to Mr. Khiem, heavy rain will blanket the central region from November 4.
Provinces from Thua Thien-Hue to Phu Yen and north of the Central Highlands will see average rainfall of 100-200mm from November 4-6.
Provinces from Nghe An to Quang Tri will see average rainfall of 150-300 m from November 5 to 7. Flood warnings have been issued in river areas in provinces from Quang Nam to Quang Ngai.
At a meeting of Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control on November 2, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said that Goni was a super typhoon that lost strength when entering the East Sea.
“It’s difficult to predict the storm's developments, however” he said, calling for close observation of the storm.
“We must prepare for the possibility of flash floods, landslides and damage to dams and reservoirs,” Cuong said./.