Apparel, footwear firms urged to tie up to boost competitivenessQuoc Hung By Quoc Hung - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Experts have called for domestic enterprises in the apparel and footwear sectors to strengthen tie-ups for co-existence and growth at a time when Vietnam is intensifying international integration. At a seminar in HCMC last week on how the apparel and footwear sectors could make the most of opportunities from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact, experts said cooperation would enable businesses to join the global value chain. Competing with one another would benefit no one, they told the seminar organized by the Vietnam Association of Foreign-Invested Enterprises and Dau Tu newspaper. Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), expressed concern that many businesses have not made good preparations to benefit from the free trade agreements (FTAs) which Vietnam has signed. “Now a lot of enterprises have little or no … [Read more...] about Apparel, footwear firms urged to tie up to boost competitiveness
Tying leader to tippet
Vietnam-India ties upgraded to comprehensive strategic partnership
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi agreed to upgrade their countries’ strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership during their talks in Hanoi on September 3.At the talks following the official welcome ceremony, they rejoiced at the extensive and substantive development of bilateral relations, especially since the strategic partnership was set up in 2007.They said the upgrade of bilateral ties is to meet the aspirations of the two countries’ leaders and peoples, and to be in conformity with both sides’ fundamental and long-term interests, as well as their willingness to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam treasures the time-tested friendship with India which was founded by late President Ho Chi Minh and Indian … [Read more...] about Vietnam-India ties upgraded to comprehensive strategic partnership
S’pore firms want APEC leaders to continue open borders
Singapore companies want Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)leaders to continue to liberalise and open their borders and rejectprotectionism, Singapore Business Federation Chief Executive Ho Meng Kithas said. Ho is one of the two Singaporean members at theAPEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) - a private sector organisationcomprising representatives of 21 APEC economies and submitting to theleaders its recommendations on how to improve the business andinvestment environment in the Asia-Pacific region. Accordingto the Singapore Business Federation Chief Executive, Singaporean firmsalso want leaders committed to deep reforms in their economies, thusproviding a friendly environment for investors to park their money forthe long term. He added, while APEC companies, includingSingaporean, remain confident about the future of the Asia-Pacificregion, they hope that the leaders and policymakers "are able to sustainthis and not be short-term on their policies." ABAC willalso call APEC … [Read more...] about S’pore firms want APEC leaders to continue open borders
Hanoi leader to fix all workers’ problems
Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Hanoi’s leader has promised to solve all issues in thedaily lives of all workers in the city soon, including shortages of housing,cultural activities, kindergartens and medical centres at industrial zones.Speakingat a dialogue between the city and nearly 1,000 workers representing more than150,000 workers from industrial zones (IZ) and processing zones in the city at NoiBai Industrial Zone on May 19, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee NguyenDuc Chung said he would direct sectors and agencies to work on the issues rightafter the meeting.Atthe dialogue, Chung talked to workers and listened to their questions andcomments on lifestyle, insurance, healthcare and education.Heaffirmed that the city serves the people and businesses to the utmost in linewith the Government’s instructions.Headded that the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour has agreed … [Read more...] about Hanoi leader to fix all workers’ problems
Hà Nội leader to fix all workers’ problems
Speaking at a dialogue between the city and nearly 1,000 workers representing more than 150,000 workers from industrial zones (IZ) and processing zones in the city at Nội Bài Industrial Zone yesterday, Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung said he would direct sectors and agencies to work on the issues right after the meeting.At the dialogue, Chung talked to workers and listened to their questions and comments on lifestyle, insurance, healthcare and education.He affirmed that the city serves the people and businesses to the utmost in line with the Government’s instructions.He added that the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour has agreed to spend VNĐ700-800 billion (US$31.1-35.5 million) to build housing for workers in Hà Nội.“The city also has a budget to build housing complexes with cultural institutions and services to create better living conditions for workers,” he said.The … [Read more...] about Hà Nội leader to fix all workers’ problems
Pacific leaders to turn up heat on climate change
APIA, Samoa: Climate change will dominate discussions when the leaders of vulnerable Pacific nations hold their annual meeting in the Samoan capital Apia this week, with global warming threatening their existence, officials say.The 18-member Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) includes countries such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, which are only metres above sea level and risk being swamped by rising oceans.Others, such as Vanuatu and Fiji, have been battered in recent years by devastating cyclones that have become more extreme as global warming affects weather patterns.Tuvalu Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga said there was no subject more important to the people of the Pacific."This is an issue about our existence... climate change threatens our very identities," he said.PIF secretary general Meg Taylor said the summit, which opens Tuesday (Sep 5), was an opportunity for small island nations to speak as one voice."We can do more together than we can alone, I think this will be at the heart of the … [Read more...] about Pacific leaders to turn up heat on climate change
Japan’s Abe to take G7 leaders to shrine as economy tops summit agenda
Abe was to take U.S. President Barack Obama and other G7 partners to the expansive grounds of Ise Grand Shrine in central Japan, dedicated to sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, mythical ancestress of the emperor. Abe has said he hopes the shrine visit will provide an insight to the heart of Japanese culture. Critics say he's catering to a conservative base that wants to put religion back in politics and revive traditional values. On Wednesday night, Abe met Obama for talks dominated by the arrest of a U.S. military base worker in connection with the killing of a young woman on Japan's southern Okinawa island, reluctant host to the bulk of the U.S. military in Japan. The incident has marred Obama's hopes of keeping his Japan trip strictly focused on his visit on Friday to Hiroshima, site of the world's first atomic bombing, to highlight reconciliation between the two former World War Two foes and his nuclear anti-proliferation agenda. "...our visit to Hiroshima will honor all those who were … [Read more...] about Japan’s Abe to take G7 leaders to shrine as economy tops summit agenda
EU urges Lebanese leaders to join to restore security
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (AFP/File/John Thys) BRUSSELS: The EU's top diplomat on Friday deplored a deadly car bomb explosion in central Beirut and urged Lebanon's leaders to join together to restore security in the country. "The spiral of violence in Lebanon is deeply worrying," said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, deploring the blast that notably took the life of Mohamad Chatah, former Lebanese finance minister and a key member of a coalition that opposes Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. "I urge Lebanon's political leaders and the Lebanese people to put aside all differences and join forces - as a priority and without delay - to restore security in the country." She also reiterated a call for the formation of a new government "capable of addressing the many challenges Lebanon is facing". "The EU stands by the people of Lebanon and reaffirms its commitment to the unity, stability, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon," Ashton added … [Read more...] about EU urges Lebanese leaders to join to restore security
UNESCO leader to consider Thang Long citadel
UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova has promised to consider Vietnam’s submission of the Thang Long Royal Citadel as a world heritage. She made the statement when receiving Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister and Chairman of Vietnam’s UNESCO Committee Nguyen Thanh Son in Paris on April 7 to attend the 184th session of UNESCO’s Executive Council. Vietnam over the years and asked the UNESCO leader to back Vietnam’s submission. He stressed that if the Thang Long Royal citadel is recognised as a world heritage, it will be especially significant for Vietnam as Hanoi celebrates the capital city’s millennium anniversary in October this year. Hanoi authorities to Director-General Bokova to attend the celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi which was accepted heartily by the UNESCO Director-General. Vietnam’s submission and the World Heritage Committee will give its decision at its 34th session, scheduled to be held in Brazil in … [Read more...] about UNESCO leader to consider Thang Long citadel
For the first time, new leaders to swear oath at inaugural ceremony
For the first time in 70 years, newly elected President, Chair of the National Assembly, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are required to take an oath of loyalty to the nation, the people and the constitution at their inaugural ceremony. The practice is spelled out in the National Assembly's resolution passed last November. The process involves the oath taker to say a number of mandatory phrases while the rest of the speech's content is up to each official, as long as it is about their respective duties. The heads of state deliver a three-minute long speech with one hand on the constitution while raising the other until finish. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, the new chair of the NA, was the first among other leaders to swear an oath during her inaugural ceremony on March 31. Secretary General of the National Assembly Nguyen Hanh Phuc said that Vietnam’s top positions, including Ngan and three others, will retake their oaths at the first meeting of … [Read more...] about For the first time, new leaders to swear oath at inaugural ceremony