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Vietnam, Russia pledge to foster future cooperationThe Saigon Times Daily Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev - PHOTO: VGP HCMC - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, committed to setting forth steps for tightening future bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Russia during their talks in Hanoi today, November 19, as part of the Russian leader’s two-day visit to Vietnam, the Government portal chinhphu.vn reported. During the talks, the two government leaders assessed the achievements of their bilateral cooperation over the past time and discussed specific measures to deepen the partnership in the coming period. The two PMs praised the traditional friendship, comprehensive strategic partnership, regular dialogues and close coordination on the international arena between the two countries. In addition, they reached a consensus on strengthening their political ties and … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Russia pledge to foster future cooperation

VinFast to launch new automobiles, electric motorbikesThe Saigon Times Daily Smart electric motorbike model Klara, which will be available in six colors, is manufactured by local carmaker VinFast – PHOTO: VINFAST HCMC - Local carmaker VinFast will soon launch its two latest automobile models, the Lux A 2.0 and Lux SA 2.0, as well as a hatchback model, Fadil, and smart electric motorcycle, Klara. These vehicles will be put up for public view on November 20-21 at Thong Nhat Park in Hanoi and on November 25-26 in HCMC’s Vinhomes Central Park so that potential customers can place orders, local media reported. The two sedan models won the “A star is born” award presented by AUTOBEST, a leading European automotive awards body, at the Paris Motor Show last month. Both models, which were manufactured based on designs selected by Vietnamese consumers, boast a luxurious and elegant appearance. In addition, the hatchback Fadil was developed based on Karl Rocks by … [Read more...] about VinFast to launch new automobiles, electric motorbikes

Conference on zero landfill set to take place late this monthBy Le Anh The poster features a zero landfill in a circular economy conference, set to take place on November 30 in HCMC – PHOTO: COURTESY OF INSEE ECOCYCLE VIETNAM HCMC - INSEE Ecocycle Vietnam has announced it will host the “Zero Landfill in Circular Economy Conference” at the InterContinental Hotel in HCMC on November 30. This conference focuses on how zero landfills and a circular economy can create more value for businesses and society from few resources and can foster growth without an environmental sacrifice in Vietnam. With the presence of more than 200 local and international business leaders, government officials, environmental consultants, economists and associations, the conference is expected to deliver the latest concepts, successful case studies involving zero landfills and a circular economy and an exciting forum for networking and collaborating to ensure a greener future for … [Read more...] about Conference on zero landfill set to take place late this month

Looking beyond the Grab-Moca tie-upBy Ngoc Lan The Grab-Moca partnership does not violate the law and benefits both sides - PHOTO: THANH HOA Big foreign enterprises have various tactics to penetrate the Vietnamese market. An example of such manipulations is the recent partnership for digital payment for transport services between the ride-hailing service firm Grab and the digital payment service provider Moca. The final conclusion of the Competition Administration’s (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade) official investigation into Grab’s alleged economic concentration act after its acquisition of Uber Southeast Asia and Vietnam is not yet available, as the investigation is still underway. However, the case seems not to affect much Grab’s operation in Vietnam. To expand and diversify its business, the firm has cooperated with Moca Technology and Service Company in developing the payment service GrabPay by Moca. Since the current rule does not allow direct … [Read more...] about Looking beyond the Grab-Moca tie-up

Binh Thuan struggles with untreated coal ashThe Saigon Times Daily A view of Vinh Tan 2 Thermal Plant – PHOTO: VIETNAM ENERGY HCMC – Some four million tons of untreated coal ash, discharged from thermal power plants in the south-central coastal province of Binh Thuan, is causing significant problems for the Ministry of Industry and Trade, according to a report sent to the prime minister. The ministry said once thermal power plants at Vinh Tan Power Center are put into operation, the annual amount of coal ash being produced is expected to reach 3.8 million tons. Three plants – Vinh Tan 2, Vinh Tan 4 and an expanded Vinh Tan 4 – dump waste into a common ash and slag dump spanning over 38 hectares and able to accommodate some 9.3 million cubic meters. Currently, the area is filled with about 4.5 million cubic meters of waste, so it is expected to have no room available within two years. The dump, which is located near a national road, is impacted by … [Read more...] about Binh Thuan struggles with untreated coal ash

HEF 2018 to attract 100 foreign delegatesBy Chi Thinh Thu Thiem New Urban Area is among the most important innovative urban areas in the eastern city – PHOTO: HCMC DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURE HCMC – Some 100 foreign delegates, who are experts or representatives of organizations, will gather and deliver speeches at HCMC Economic Forum 2018 (HEF), which is slated to kick off on November 23 in HCMC. This year’s edition will feature multiple discussion sessions and some 30 speeches delivered by participating delegates. Chu Tien Dung, chairman of the HCMC Union Business Associations (HUBA) and deputy head of the HEF organizing committee, noted that the event will create favorable conditions for local firms to network and discuss business cooperation opportunities with overseas investors and enterprise associations. Dung added that many foreign companies and organizations in the innovative sector had expressed the desire to meet and discuss with local … [Read more...] about HEF 2018 to attract 100 foreign delegates

Medical alliance rolled out in Danang to assist physiciansBy Nhan Tam Representatives of participating enterprises pose for a group photo at a launch ceremony for the medical alliance, HMG – PHOTO: NHAN TAM DANANG – A new medical alliance, known as HMG, was rolled out on November 14 in the central coastal city of Danang to enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare services and contribute to regional medical research and training. The first five members of the alliance are Homecares, iKure, INNOTEK, Job Links and AT Group. Of these, the startup company Homecares will serve as a medical service provider in the city. According to Bui Thi Huong Giang, founder of AT Group, the alliance was set up to offer various healthcare packages to four main groups: hospitals, physicians, clinics and patients. HMG prioritizes doctors, stated Giang, adding that joint medical services and remote healthcare check-ups and treatment technologies will help doctors see more … [Read more...] about Medical alliance rolled out in Danang to assist physicians

MNP service spurs SIM card marketThe Saigon Times Daily A person uses a mobile phone in this file photo. SIM card vendors are amassing SIM card numbers from small-scale telecom carriers, expecting to sell them at higher prices after the MNP service takes effect tomorrow - PHOTO: THANH HOA HCMC - SIM card vendors are amassing as many promotional SIM card numbers from small-scale telecom carriers as they can, expecting to sell them at higher prices after the mobile number portability (MNP) service takes effect tomorrow, November 16, Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper reported. MNP allows mobile subscribers to retain their phone numbers when switching to another telecom carrier. SIM card vendors are gathering a slew of working SIM card numbers delivered by Vietnamobile as these numbers have more reasonable prices than those of major carriers. In particular, prices of popular Vietnamobile SIM card numbers have increased at least twofold, while lucky phone numbers from this carrier have … [Read more...] about MNP service spurs SIM card market

Cooperation with firms to commercialize research faces hurdlesBy Le Hoang Representatives at the seminar in HCMC on November 13 - PHOTO: LE HOANG HCMC – Investment in innovation and commercialization of research projects is considered key to the success of universities, but access to enterprises and calls for investment face many hurdles, heard attendees at a seminar held in HCMC on November 13. At the seminar titled, “Commercializing University Innovation – The New Zealand Story,” co-organized by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and the Saigon Innovation Hub (SIHUB), it was said that New Zealand ranked first in the new Worldwide Educating for the Future Index. Major factors contributing to this achievement are connectivity between schools and enterprises and investment in innovation in education systems, particularly at the university level. Professors, doctors and experts from New Zealand’s leading universities highlighted access to firms for … [Read more...] about Cooperation with firms to commercialize research faces hurdles

NA passes resolution on State budget allocation for 2019By Thuy Dung Nguyen Duc Hai, chairman of the NA Committee on Finance and Budget, addresses an NA session in Hanoi – PHOTO: QUOCHOI.VN HANOI – The National Assembly (NA) approved a resolution on central State budget allocation for next year on November 14 in Hanoi. Of this, the total central budget spending is nearly VND1,020 trillion, or roughly US$43.5 billion. Of this amount, some VND320 trillion will be given to localities as supplementary funding to balance the local budget. In particular, the resolution also set budget revenue targets, including more than VND810 trillion of central budget collections and an estimated VND601 trillion provided by local budget collections. According to Nguyen Duc Hai, chairman of the NA Committee on Finance and Budget, some NA deputies noted that the budget allocation should put more emphasis on disadvantaged localities such as the Mekong Delta region, and remote or … [Read more...] about NA passes resolution on State budget allocation for 2019