The luxury Kimpton Fitzroy London hotel of IHG uses bulk-size amenities IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced that its entire hotel estate of almost 843,000 guest rooms will switch to bulk-size bathroom amenities, with the transition to be completed during 2021. Keith Barr, CEO, IHG, commented, “It’s more important than ever that companies challenge themselves to operate responsibly – we know it’s what our guests, owners, colleagues, investors, and suppliers rightly expect. Switching to larger-size amenities across more than 5,600 hotels around the world is a big step in the right direction and will allow us to significantly reduce our waste footprint and environmental impact as we make the change.” “The group has already made great strides in this area, with almost a third of our estate already adopting the change and we’re proud to lead our industry by making this a brand … [Read more...] about End of the road for bathroom miniatures as IHG goes bulk size
Constituents of business environment
Việt Nam fosters a start-up ecosystem in the region: executives
Việt Nam has become an ideal eco-system for both domestic and foreign start-ups, and the effects are showing, with start-ups mushrooming all over the place. Việt Nam News’s Thu Ngân spoke to fund managers and executives at successful start-ups and asked them about the phenomenon. Peter Ryder, CEO of Indochina Capital Việt Nam’s biggest advantage is its people. The Vietnamese are among the most entrepreneurial and ambitious people I have met, which paired with Việt Nam’s exceedingly young population creates the perfect storm for start-ups to thrive. With that said, Việt Nam’s start-ups suffer from the country’s bureaucratic issues, namely the lack of laws that govern newer forms of business. While not applicable to all start-ups, many struggle to take off because of these issues and it makes seeking investment extremely difficult for these start-ups. It seems that many are quickly sold to big corporations, most … [Read more...] about Việt Nam fosters a start-up ecosystem in the region: executives
Alliance combats plastic waste
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc launched a plastic waste awareness drive on June 9 in Hanoi According to a study by American and Canadian scientists published in the journal PLOS ONE, a product of the US Public Library of Science, the packaging of daily used plastic items like water bottles will produce greenhouse gases (GHGs) when decomposed in nature. The study indicates that biodegradable resins produce strong GHGs such as methane and ethylene. GHGs are believed to be the culprits that increase global temperatures, causing global warming and sea level rises, and threatening many coastal communities. Meanwhile, according to the Journal of Toxicology and Risk Assessment, long-term usage and exposure of plastic products to high temperatures can lead to toxic chemical constituents finding its way into food, drinks, and water. Indiscriminate disposal of plastics on land and open air burning can also lead to the release of toxic chemicals into the air, causing a public … [Read more...] about Alliance combats plastic waste
Driving a sustainable private sector
Nguyen Trong Dieu, chairman of the Vietnam Private Entrepreneurs’ Association and former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs What do you perceive about Vietnam’s current business climate? With swift and positive improvements, the current business climate here is becoming increasingly attractive to businesses and investors. We recognise that the Vietnamese Party and government have always paid due attention to improving the local business environment, which is a central piece in the country’s economic development and GDP growth goals, as well as laying down the groundwork for investment and business development. Demographically, Vietnam is in the stage of having a golden population pattern as young people in the working age accounts for a large proportion in the population structure. This creates an abundant and youthful workforce which is an essential factor behind any investment and business decisions of businesses and investors. As a developing nation with a … [Read more...] about Driving a sustainable private sector
Government News 22/1
Hanoi wants twinning ties with Bangkok Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (R) and Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Tanee Sangrat Hanoi wants to form twinning ties with Thailand’s Bangkok, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said during a reception in Hanoi on January 21 for Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Tanee Sangrat. Chung expressed his belief that the twinning relationship will open up new cooperation opportunities in diverse areas, especially in culture, urban development, tourism and services. He committed support to cultural exchanges, investment promotion and fairs introducing Thai goods in the capital city, and wished that the ambassador would effectively uphold his role as a bridge connecting the two countries, capital cities, and Hanoi with Thai localities. Ambassador Tanee Sangrat, for his part, informed the host about a plan to hold several activities in Hanoi in 2019 and wished for further support … [Read more...] about Government News 22/1
Social News 7/8
Legal framework for child care on the internet Vietnam, with 64 million Internet users (67% of its population), is among Asian countries having the biggest number of Internet users. A majority of these users are children and teenagers, who are exposed to both benefits and dangers. In addition to close attention from parents and schools, a legal framework is needed to protect children from the risks of the cyber world. While browsing the Internet, children may encounter unexpected information and people. Their personal information can be hacked. More seriously, children can become victims of swindles, exploitation, harassment, and sex abuse. Online game and smartphone addictions can harm children’s mental and physical health. Parents should teach children how to find and use information on the Internet. Dang Hoa Nam, Director of the Department for Children of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, said, “Parents play a very important role. They should be … [Read more...] about Social News 7/8
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 6/7
New enterprises up 5.3% in H1 More than 64,350 new enterprises were formed in the first half of this year with a total registered capital of VND648.9 trillion (US$22.95 billion). These figures, marked year-on-year increases of 5.3 per cent in the number of businesses and 9 per cent at the level of capital, the Business Registration Management Agency, operating under the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported. Experts at the agency attributed the period’s positive performance to the improving business conditions and registration procedure. According to experts, the newly-established firms have a tendency to rise since the beginning of this year. Notably, the second quarter of this year saw the highest number of new firms and level of registered capital over the past five years with 37,750 units, registering $11.8 billion in capital, up 41 per cent and 33 per cent, respectively. In the first six months, the average capital for an enterprise reached VND10.1 billion, surging … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 6/7
Lawmakers discuss draft laws on 11th working day
Under the direction of NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu in the morning, they debated the draft laws on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Chemicals, the Law on Electricity, the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention, the Law on Food Safety, the Law on Pharmaceuticals, the Law on Notary, the Child Law, the Investment Law, the Public Investment Law, the Law on Science and Technology, the Law on Construction, and the Law on Urban Planning. Chairman of the NA’s Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Phan Xuan Dung Twenty deputies raised opinions, most of them basically agreed with reports on reviewing the draft laws. Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung clarified several issues raised by deputies. Under the direction of NA Vice Chairman Do Ba Ty in the afternoon, NA heard a report on the draft Law on Animal Husbandry delivered by Minister of Agriculture and Rural … [Read more...] about Lawmakers discuss draft laws on 11th working day
National Assembly convenes in Hà Nội
The 14th National Assembly (NA) opened its fifth session yesterday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Phương Hoa HÀ NỘI — The 14th National Assembly (NA) opened its fifth session yesterday in Hà Nội. Addressing the opening ceremony, NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân highlighted the significance of the session which will last 20 working days, with a large number of draft laws and resolutions expected to be discussed and adopted. “Legislation continues to be a key task of the meeting, accounting for two-thirds of the assembly’s scheduled time,” she said. Eight draft laws and draft resolutions will be debated or adopted, while eight other bills will be studied throughout the meeting. These draft laws and bills, which aim to institutionalise Party resolutions and the 2013 Constitution, are of significance and concern to constituents, NA Chairwoman Ngân said. … [Read more...] about National Assembly convenes in Hà Nội
The tax dilemma
The tax dilemmaSon Nguyen A tentative scheme to impose a high environment tax on fuels is put forth, despite strong objections in the recent past whenever the issue was let fly. This time again, protests from experts and economists are even more vigorous, when the so-called environment tax policy is designed to not protect the environment but to increase State budget revenue, evident in a seminar in Hanoi this week. The tough question emerges this time: Which is more important between business development that promises long-term and sustainable streams of revenues for the State budget, and quick measures for short-term tax gains? It seems, for State agencies, that the short-term benefit outweighs the long-term one. The aim was expressly and bluntly declared at a seminar titled “Fuel markets and institutional issues” organized by the Vietnam Petroleum Association (Vinpa) in Hanoi this Tuesday. Phan The Rue, chairman of the association, asserted at the seminar that “it … [Read more...] about The tax dilemma