Drought in the Mekong Delta region (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Environmental experts gathered at a conference held in Hanoi on September 11, discussing the important roles of stakeholders in outlining hydropower master plan and protecting water resources in the Mekong River basin. The event was organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development of Water Resources And Climate Change Adaptation in collaboration with the Centre for Water Resources Conservation and Development and the Vietnam Rivers Network. Discussions at the conference highlighted water exhaustion and pollution in the Mekong Delta region and their impact on local socio-economic development, as well as potential to branch out small- and medium-sized hydropower plants in northern Lao Cai province’s Sa Pa district and its side effects on the local environment and tourism. According to Vietnam Rivers Network’s Head Coordinator Dao Trong Tu, the conference aimed to promote the important roles of … [Read more...] about Conference promotes engagement in hydropower planning in Mekong basin
Technological development essay
Vietnam’s financial sector embraces digital era: conference
At the event (Photo: Saigon Times) - Many banks and finance companies have proactively adopted technologies to provide digital financial services, Nguyen Hoang Minh, a senior central bank official said. Speaking at a conference organised by Saigon Times newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City on December 5, Deputy Director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s Branch in HCM City, said: “The country has seen a growth in population and internet and smart phone users, and banks and finance companies should take advantage to further develop digital services such as mobile and internet payments.” VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s financial sector embraces digital era: conference
Farm produce processing industry urged to tap potential
Visitors look at processed farm produce on display at the Việt Nam International Exhibition on Processing, Packaging and Preserving Food and Agricultural Products held in HCM City. — VNS Photo Xuân Hương HCM CITY — Việt Nam’s agro-forestry and fishery processing industry has bright prospects in both export and domestic markets, but needs further measures to tap its potential, according to the Agro Processing and Market Development Authority. Speaking at a conference in HCM City on Wednesday, Nguyễn Quốc Toản, the authority's director, said: “The domestic agro-forestry and fishery processing industry had an annual growth rate of 5-7 per cent over the past 10 years, creating a system with total processing capacity of about 120 million tonnes of farm produce materials a year." The country is home to over 7,500 enterprises involved in agro, forestry and fishery processing on … [Read more...] about Farm produce processing industry urged to tap potential
Startups catching the eye
Vietnam's emerging startup scene is proving to be a case of right place, right time for local and international venture capital funds. Eleven “rising star” startups in Southeast Asia in September converged at the “500 Startups Demo Day” in Ho Chi Minh City to spotlight the dynamic technology landscape in Vietnam and broader Southeast Asia. “There’s more hype about Vietnam’s tech scene now than ever before, as this is an exciting time for Vietnam overall,” said Mr. Eddie Thai, General Partner at 500 Startups Vietnam. “Vietnam is fast becoming an attractive destination for local and international venture capital funds, who are hoping to capture the growing consumer opportunities and leverage the Vietnamese entrepreneurial spirit.” Rising appetite Vietnam’s startup sector is growing at a rapid clip despite the global economic slump and is closing the gap with regional leaders. In only two years, it has made a big leap … [Read more...] about Startups catching the eye
Foreign markets tighten control on origin traceability
The situation, however, has produced both opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese enterprises in building a trademark for local farm produce that is recognized in foreign markets. Cao Thi Kim Lan, director of Binh Dinh Fishery JSC, said that due to the European Commission’s yellow card on Vietnam’s seafood exports to the European market, 100% of the firm’s exported seafood products were being detained at destination ports for check. The firm has faced multiple difficulties in meeting requirements related to the origins of legal fishing products. Of the 10 fishing boats supplying these materials, the company has only made purchases from three or four boats that have succeeded in meeting the requirements, while the remaining boats failed to sell their products as their owners could not present any fishing diaries or identify their fishing locations. Keeping detailed diaries on fishing practices seems strange to fishermen who are used to traditional fishing … [Read more...] about Foreign markets tighten control on origin traceability