Vietnam is increasing the export of tuna to the UK (Photo: daidoanket.vn)

These products shipped to the UK rose 98% compared to the same period last year, said VASEP, adding the export of processed and canned tuna products experienced a considerable fall.

Vietnam is the 13th largest tuna product supplier to the UK, after Ecuador, Mauritius, and the Seychelles.  

However, droughts due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon this year have made it difficult to transport goods from South American countries, including Ecuador, to European countries through the Panama Canal.

The difficulty has forced suppliers to seek another transshipment route that fuels transportation costs. This is an opportunity for Asian countries, including Vietnam, to increase tuna exports to European countries, including the UK, said Nguyen Ha, a VASEP expert in the tuna market.

Tuna processed for export (Photo: VNA)

In addition, the UK on July 16 signed a document to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The accession is expected to boost trade between the UK and members of the CPTPP bloc, including Vietnam.

Along with the trade agreement between the UK and Vietnam (UKVFTA), incentives from the CPTPP will open up opportunities for Vietnamese seafood products, including tuna, to enter the UK market.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, after a sharp drop of 51% in May 2023, the export of Vietnamese tuna to the UK continued to increase in the following two months. This growth has raised Vietnam’s total tuna export turnover to the UK in the first seven months of 2023 to more than US$4.5 million, representing a year on year rise of 77%.

No Vietnamese killed in Morocco deadly earthquake

No Vietnamese deaths have been reported following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that shook Morocco on September 8, killing more than 2,000 to date, Radio the Voice of Vietnam reported.

The information was confirmed by Vietnamese Ambassador to Morocco Dang Thi Thu Ha.

There are currently four delegations of Vietnamese officials working in the city of Marrakesh, near the epicenter of the earthquake, along with some Vietnamese citizens traveling and working in Morocco, said Ha.

Local people stay outside a square folowing a 6.8 magnitude earthquake near Marrakech city, killing more than 2,000. (Photo: AFP)

There have been no reports of Vietnamese citizens injured or killed by the earthquake, but some people were forced to leave the hotel due to cracked walls, added the ambassador.

According to the diplomat, the Embassy’s delegation on September 9 arrived in Marrakesh city to carry out citizen protection work. The Embassy has contacted the Vietnamese community in Morocco, and maintained contact with local authorities to deploy a citizen protection plan in case of emergency.

Morocco said 2,012 people have been killed and 2,059 injured, including 1,404 in critical condition. The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8 with an epicentre some 72 km southwest of Marrakech.

This is the deadliest earthquake recorded in Morocco in the past six decades.

Vietnam hosts first mock parliamentary session of children

The first children’s parliament session was held in Hanoi on September 10 to promote children’s right to get involved in relevant issues and raise their awareness of the legislature, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

Among distinguished guests present at the gathering were National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung and First Secretary of the Vietnam Youth Union Bui Quang Huy, along with other leaders of ministries in charge of labour, public security, education, health care and justice.

Child delegates debate issues in group on September 9 before pressing the button to approve related documents at the plenary session on September 10. (Photo: quochoi.vn)

The mock session was attended by 263 child delegates representing children of all 63 cities and provinces across the country. The delegates were given the chance to debate a range of relevant issues, including preventing accidents, injuries, violence, and child abuse; improving children’s safe interaction skills in cyberspace; improving physical conditions for children to apply information technology; and promoting the role of all social strata in child care and protection.

The meeting is of great significance in promoting children’s right to participate in children-related issues, and encouraging authorities to raise the sense of responsibility in the care, protection and education of children – the future masters of the nation.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is scheduled to deliver a speech at the gathering.

Vietnam attends Eastern Economic Forum 2023 in Russia

The eighth Eastern Economic Forum opened in the Russian city of Vladivostok on September 10, bringing together approximately 7,000 politicians, business leaders, and public figures from 50 countries worldwide.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Do Thanh Trung.

Themed “The Path to Partnership, Peace and Prosperity” this year’s forum reflects Russia’s desire to build constructive relations and engage in inclusive dialogue with foreign partners in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a congratulatory letter to the forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed that the forum with high international reputation creates important opportunities for politicians, business leaders, public figures and experts from all over the world to engage in direct dialogues.

An overview of a panel discussion of the eighth Eastern Economic Forum on September 10. (Photo: VNA)

The forum seeks to address the most pressing issues facing socio-economic and infrastructure development of the Russian Far East and its integration into the vast Asia-Pacific region.

Discussions will focus on prospects for expanding cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, identifying ways to create new, highly efficient production and logistics chains, modernizing transportation and energy systems, and ensuring food and environmental security in the region.

President Putin is scheduled to attend the plenary session with Vice President of Laos Pani Yathotou, on September 12./.