The 58th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) opens in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 24 under the chairmanship of Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Viet Nam’s permanent mission to the United Nations in Geneva. This is the first time Viet Nam has held the chairmanship of the WIPO General Assembly for 2018-2019. The event attracted about 1,200 delegates from 191 WIPO member states. The Vietnamese delegation is led by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Tac highly appraised activities of the WIPO and new developments in the establishment of new intellectual property right mechanisms. Viet Nam will actively cooperate with other members to set up a fair and inclusive intellectual right system, he said, adding that the nation acknowledges technical assistance of the WIPO over the … [Read more...] about VN holds chairmanship of WIPO General Assembly for first time
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Singapore’s investment in Indonesia surges
Indonesian Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto (Source: antaranews.com) Jakarta (VNA) - Singapore’s new investment in Indonesia rose 38 percent to reach 5.04 billion USD in the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, according to Indonesian Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto. In the whole of 2017, Singapore's new investment in Indonesia was valued at 8.44 billion USD. Meanwhile, Indonesia's exports of non-oil/gas commodities to Singapore stood at 9 billion USD, making that neighboring country the fifth largest destination of Indonesia’s exports of commodities other than oil and gas. Indonesia had been active in seeking to attract investors from Singapore to do business in the Kendal Industrial Estate (KIK), which is jointly developed by Indonesian and Singaporean investors in Central Java. The country will focus on the development of furniture polytechnics in the industrial estate, said the Indonesian minister. KIK will be the … [Read more...] about Singapore’s investment in Indonesia surges
Indonesia’s external debt growth under control: BI
A pedestrian passes by the Bank Indonesia building in Central Jakarta (Source: thejakartapost.com) Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesia's external debt at the end of July 2018 amounted to 358 billion USD, announced the Bank Indonesia (BI). Of the figure, government and central bank external debt stood at 180.8 billion USD, while private sector external debt was about 177.1 billion USD. The debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio was recorded at about 34 percent. BI said the country’s foreign debt is under control and this ratio is better than the average of Indonesia's peer countries. The bank added that 86.3 percent of the debt was long-term. It is working with the Indonesian government to constantly monitor the condition of foreign debt to avoid risks that could affect the macro-economy’s stability.-VNA … [Read more...] about Indonesia’s external debt growth under control: BI
RoK’s PM to attend funeral of State President Tran Dai Quang
10:46 | 25/09/2018 VGP - The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s PM Lee Nak-yon will arrive in Viet Nam on September 25 to attend the national funeral of State President Tran Dai Quang, according to the announcement of the RoK Presidential Palace on September 24. According to Senior Secretary to the President for Public Communications Yoon Young-chan, PM Lee will pay tribute to the late President on September 26 in Ha Noi. On September 22, President Moon Jae-in expressed his sympathy and conveyed condolences to the family of the late State President and the Vietnamese people over the great loss. … [Read more...] about RoK’s PM to attend funeral of State President Tran Dai Quang
WIPO General Assembly devotes a minute in honor of State President Tran Dai Quang
WIPO Director General Francis Gurry announced the passing of the Vietnamese State President and recalled his meeting with the Vietnamese State leader during his working visit to Viet Nam in March 2017. On behalf of the Assemblies of the member states of the WIPO, Mr. Francis Gurry conveyed his deep sympathy to the family of the State President and the Vietnamese Government and people. Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of the Vietnamese permanent mission to the United Nations cum Chairman of the WIPO General Assembly for 2018-2019 expressed his thanks Mr. Gurry and the General Assembly for their condolences. At the discussions of the General Assembly, delegates extended their sympathy to the Vietnamese Government and people over the death of State President Quang. By Thuy Dung … [Read more...] about WIPO General Assembly devotes a minute in honor of State President Tran Dai Quang
Vietnam chairs WIPO’s 58th series of meetings of member states’ assemblies
The 58th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) opened in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 24 (Photo: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – The 58th Series of Meetings of the Assemblies of the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) opened in Geneva, Switzerland, on September 24 under their chairmanship of Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva. This is the first time held the chairmanship of the WIPO General Assembly for 2018-2019. The 58th series of meetings attracted about 1,200 delegates from 191 WIPO member states. The Vietnamese delegation is led by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac. Addressing the opening ceremony, WIPO Director General Francis Gurry said: “Intellectual property (IP) continues to grow in economic and social … [Read more...] about Vietnam chairs WIPO’s 58th series of meetings of member states’ assemblies
Grab, Uber fined nearly 10 million USD in Singapore
A view of Uber and Grab offices in Singapore on Mar 26, 2018. (Photo: Reuters) Hanoi (VNA) - Singaporean authorities have fined Grab and Uber total 13 million SGD (9.5 million USD) for violating its competition law during their merging, pushing taxi fares up and restricting opportunities of rivals. Uber Technologies Inc sold its Southeast Asian business to bigger regional rival Grab in March this year in exchange for a 27.5 percent stake in the Singapore-based firm. But the deal also put both firms under the watch of authorised agencies of many countries, including the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore. The commission concluded that the deal has seriously affected the market in Singapore, noting that effective fares on Grab rose 10 to 15 percent after the deal, and that the firm now holds a Singapore market share of around 80 percent. Grab’s rivals have also met difficulties from exclusive deals of Grab and taxi service suppliers or car renters and … [Read more...] about Grab, Uber fined nearly 10 million USD in Singapore
World leaders offer condolences to VN over President Tran Dai Quang’s passing
Pope Francis has sent a message of condolences to Viet Nam on the passing of State President Tran Dai Quang, reported the Vatican Radio. In the message sent to Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh, the Pope extended his profound condolences and wished for peace and blessings to the Vietnamese people, especially the family of the late President. The government and political parties of Brazil also cabled condolences to the Vietnamese government and people. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry issued a press release saying that as a State leader since 2016, President Tran Dai Quang walked on a meaningful path towards the development of Viet Nam - an important partner of Brazil in Southeast Asia, as well as protection of multilateralism, settlement of disputes by peaceful means and facilitation of dialogues among nations. In another condolence message, President of the Communist Part of Brazil Luciana Santos lauded … [Read more...] about World leaders offer condolences to VN over President Tran Dai Quang’s passing
Indonesia begins presidential election campaign
President Joko Widodo (second from left) (Source: AP) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia on September 23 kicked off campaigning for Indonesia's presidential election, scheduled for April 2019. Analysts forecast this will be a race between incumbent President Joko Widodo and former military general Prabowo Subianto. Dressed in traditional clothing, the candidates and their running mates paraded through central Jakarta on September 23 and released doves at a ceremony after reading out a peaceful campaign declaration. They vowed a peaceful and transparent race. The campaigning will focus on several burning issues such as economic affairs, inequality and characterized politics. Last month, President Widodo decided to choose Ma’ruf Amin, head of the Ulema Council, as his running mate in the presidential election campaign. Surveys show that Widodo holds many advantages compared to his rival Prabowo, who lost to him in the 2014 presidential election. As many as 186 million … [Read more...] about Indonesia begins presidential election campaign
U.S. President sends sympathy over death of State President Quang
In the statement, the U.S. President wrote that: “It was with sadness that I learned of the passing of President Tran Dai Quang. On behalf of the American people, I express my condolences to his family and the people of Viet Nam. President Quang was a great friend of the United States. He graciously hosted me during my historic state visit to Ha Noi in November 2017, and I am grateful for his personal commitment to deepening the United States-Viet Nam Comprehensive Partnership. We will not soon forget his contributions to peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region or his voice for Viet Nam as a proud and independent nation on the world stage”. *The same day, a statement was issued by Heather Nauert, Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State over the passing of the Vietnamese State leader. “We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of President Tran Dai Quang of Viet Nam. Our thoughts and prayers go out to President Quang’s family … [Read more...] about U.S. President sends sympathy over death of State President Quang