Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno launched the 2024 ADWI in Bugisan Tourism Village, Klaten, Central Java, on March 9. ((Photo: Antara)Jakarta (VNA) – The 2024 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) has been launched as a programme aimed at appreciating tourism actors for their role in developing the economic and socio-cultural aspects of villages. This year's edition of ADWI is themed "Tourism Villages Towards World-Class Green Tourism", affirming Indonesia's determination to promote eco-friendly tourism destinations and activities. Indonesia currently has a total of 4,812 tourism villages that have been registered in the Network of Tourism Villages (Jadesta). The development of 6,000 tourism villages, accounting for 80% of potential villages, will contribute 4.5% to Indonesia’s gross domestic product.

This is one of the key events within the framework of the 33rd Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo 2024) in Hà Nội. By implementing EPR, businesses can meet the increasingly high demands of partners and participate extensively in the global value chain. During the seminar, policymakers, experts, leaders of local and foreign businesses, along with other stakeholders, are expected to discuss the opportunities and challenges of implementing EPR in Việt Nam. Việt Nam News remains today the only English-language newspaper in the Southeast Asian country and one of the most reliable newspapers in the country on foreign affairs. Vietnam Expo is the longest-standing annual trade promotion event in Việt Nam, organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), directed by the Trade Promotion Agency, and executed by VINEXAD since 1991.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Chief Representative of UNESCO Vietnam Jonathan Baker said on March 14 that it is crucial for Vietnam, home to many ethnic groups, to ensure equal access to education for minority students. Speaking at an international conference jointly held byIn terms of gender equality, he said that although Vietnam has gained significant achievements in ensuring – Chief Representative of UNESCO Vietnam Jonathan Baker said on March 14 that it is crucial for Vietnam, home to many ethnic groups, to ensure equal access to education for minority students.Speaking at an international conference jointly held by UNESCO Vietnam and the Vietnam National Institute of Educational Services (VNIES) in Hanoi, Baker said the rich-poor divide and the gap between urban and rural areas should be taken into account in this regard.In terms of gender equality, he said that although Vietnam has gained significant achievements in ensuring equal access to education for both boys and girls, males and females, more work should be done to address the root causes of gender disparity and stereotypes. The cooperation between UNESCO and the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and localities revealed the fact that greater efforts are required to ensure that minority girls face no hindrances to schooling, Baker continued. In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc briefed participants on Vietnam’s educational landscape, as well as challenges to the enforcement of policies that aim to ensure equality in education. The official used this occasion to call on international organisations and experts to further support Vietnamese scientists in building education strategies and plans, and promote cooperation between countries in this sphere./.

Illustrative image (Photo: Nation Thailand)Bangkok (VNA) – Thai Minister of Labour Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn reached an agreement to send 3,000 Thai skilled shipbuilding workers to the Republic of Korea (RoK), during his trip to Seoul on March 13. Phiphat clinched the deal to send Thai welders and mechanical technicians at a meeting with representatives of five Korean shipbuilders, including HD Hyundai Heavy Industry, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean. He said there are around 20,000 legally registered Thai workers in the RoK, where wages are at least five times higher than in Thailand. The ministry plans to increase the number of Thai workers sent to the RoK by 3,000-4,000 this year, he added. The ministry aims to send 100,000 Thai workers abroad this year, also increasing numbers to meet demand in Australia and Eastern European countries like Poland, Phiphat said./.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 March 2024 - Sahm Capital Financial Company (formerly known as VCFC), a brokerage firm licensed by the Capital Market Authority (22251-25), has unveiled a major upgrade to its official website. The 24/7 support service further elevates the investing experience, providing personalized assistance whenever required.The new website follows by the launch of its all-in-one trading app, 'Sahm', a platform tailored specifically for investors in Saudi Arabia. Sahm distinguishes itself as the first app in KSA to offer one-click quick switching between Saudi and U.S. stock accounts in real-time for both trading and currency conversion. About Sahm Capital:Registered in Riyadh, Sahm Capital (formerly known as VCFC) is a joint venture company of Valuable Capital Group Ltd and eWTP Arabia Capital. In October 2023, Sahm Capital received licenses from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to conduct Dealing, Advising, and Custody services in KSA, making it the first international online brokerage firm to provide online brokerage services in KSA.

Health ministry proposes supplementary health insurance packageThe Ministry of Health has proposed a supplementary voluntary health insurance package applicable to those who have participated in compulsory health insurance. There are now two types of health insurance available in Việt Nam: compulsory health insurance and commercial health insurance. Compulsory health insurance is managed by the State under the Health Insurance Law for social, not for profit purposes. The health insurance fund pays medical examination and treatment costs covered by health insurance for subjects following the Health Insurance Law. However, the scope of benefits covered by the commercial health insurance often overlaps with those already paid by compulsory health insurance.

However, experts from the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam (WWF Vietnam) said that Vietnam's biodiversity is degrading. Pham Minh Thao, Director of WWF Vietnam's Program Development said that the degradation of natural ecosystems greatly affects the supply chains of food, energy, infrastructure and transportation as well as people's lives. She attributed the degradation to population growth, changes in land use, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, impacts of global climate change and environmental pollution. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Department said preventing biodiversity loss in Vietnam not only fulfills national targets but also contributes to achieving global goals. This year, the Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Department will conduct assessment of the 15-year implementation of Law on Biodiversity, Thao said, elaborating that it will create foundation for proposing amendments to the 2008 Law on Biodiversity.

About First Phosphate Corp.First Phosphate is a mineral development company fully dedicated to extracting and purifying phosphate for the production of cathode active material for the Lithium Iron Phosphate ("LFP") battery industry. First Phosphate is committed to producing at high purity level, in responsible manner and with low anticipated carbon footprint. km of royalty-free district-scale land claims in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Region of Quebec, Canada that it is actively developing. First Phosphate properties consist of rare anorthosite igneous phosphate rock that generally yields high purity phosphate materially devoid of high concentrations of harmful elements. About Groupe Goyette Inc.Groupe Goyette is a Quebec-based general cargo transportation, distribution and logistics expert.

This strategic initiative is a testament to ABPGroup's unwavering commitment to delivering cutting-edge security solutions and fortifying the digital landscape in the region. Headquartered in Singapore, ABPGroup has carved a niche for itself as a trailblazer in cybersecurity, with a formidable presence in key markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and China. Sun Yi, Group CEO of ABPGroup, expressed his excitement about the expansion, stating, "The launch of our Taiwan office is a pivotal moment in ABPGroup's journey. ABPGroup encompasses several key entities, including Sunnic, ABPSecurite, and ABPCyber, each specializing in different aspects of cybersecurity to provide a holistic approach to digital security. Headquartered in Singapore, the group has established a strong presence in key markets, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China.

The Tesla Model Y and Model 3 are unveiled at Thailand Tesla's official launch event in Bangkok, Thailand, December 7, 2022. (Photo: Reuters.com)Hanoi (VNA) – Expansion into Southeast Asia is a priority of Tesla, Rohan Patel, a senior executive of the US automotive company, said on March 12, highlighting the fast-growing market where the company faces competition from China's BYD. Tesla is also in talks for expanding its operations in other countries, including in Thailand, which is Southeast Asia's largest car producer and exporter. However, Tesla's ambitions for Southeast Asia will face competition from BYD, which has overtook rivals to account for more than a quarter of the EVs sold in the region. EVs constituted 6.4% of all passenger vehicle sales in the region in the quarter, up from 3.8% in the preceding quarter./.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha asked localities to ensure resources for the implementation of policies towards the elderly, while addressing a hybrid meeting of the Vietnam National Committee on Ageing (VNCA) on March 12. Drone light show to be highlight of Vietnam Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024The first-ever light show featuring a total of 200 drones will be held as a highlight of the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Tourism Year - Dien Bien 2024 and Ban (Bauhinia) Flower Festival in mid-March. Vietnam News Agency, Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, and other media agencies will promote the third Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day by reporting on typical models, organizations and individuals active in developing the reading culture. Lauding the great progress of the Vietnam - Japan friendship and cooperation in various fields, Minister Son noted that Japan remains a partner of leading importance of Vietnam. Slovakia always treasures and wishes to enhance relations with Vietnam – its leading important partner in Southeast Asia, she stressed, adding that more and more Slovenian businesses are interested in business cooperation with Vietnam.

Dam thanked the host for his attention and facilitation provided to Vietnamese people working and living in Macau, calling on the Macau side to expand the reception of Vietnamese labourers, effectively coordinate in handling labour issues, and remove visa restrictions for Vietnamese workers and tourists. With cultural similarities and transportation connections, the two sides have great potential to further promote tourism cooperation, he said.Along with the fruitful development of the Vietnam-China relations, the cooperative ties between Vietnam and Macau have also seen significant progress, he said, expressing his belief that with the determination and readiness to act from both sides, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Macau will continue to make new strides in the future.For his part, Ho highly evaluated the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Macau across all fields, especially in labour and investment, stressing that Vietnamese workers are highly skilled, hardworking, adaptable, and quick learners of foreign languages, and have made positive contributions to the local economy.He showed his impression of Vietnam's rapid economic growth, especially its spectacular recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, which attracts the attention of many Macau businesses and investors.Ho also appreciated the Vietnamese diplomat’s efforts to promote the Vietnam – Macau relationship in various areas, expressing his hope that in his new position, Dam will continue contributing to stepping up the relations.The host said he supports Dam’s proposals, promising to simplify visa procedures, implement online visa applications, and introduce visa-on-arrival for Vietnamese citizens as soon as possible. He also welcomed more Vietnamese labourers to Macau for work.The Macau official added he welcomes Vietnamese officials and businesspeople to explore opportunities for cooperation and investment in the special administrative region.On the occasion, the Vietnam ese consul general paid a courtesy call to Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Macau Liu Xianfa, met with the Executive Board of the association of Vietnamese in Macau, and had a working session with representatives of the University of Macau./.

HÀ NỘI — The General Statistics Office said it will conduct a Census on Population and Houses starting from April 1 to evaluate the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025 and draw up a plan for 2026-2030. The census will measure district-level demographical changes in five years from the last survey in 2019 to update population data and analyse population trends between 2020 to 2024. It is required that inquirers will interview the household head to collect data on his/her household. If the household head is unavailable for an interview, they will interview another adult who has information on the other members. If the household head has no details of a certain member, inquirers will meet the member in person to collect his/her information.

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam needs a legal corridor to clearly define development for key industries in the process of industrialisation, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). The current legal system does not have specific regulations on identifying key industries as well as specific policies to promote the development of these industries. It also lacks of specific regulations on improving competitiveness for key industries. The competitiveness of enterprises - especially enterprises in key industries - is still very limited. To realise the goal of industrialisation and modernisation, Việt Nam must attach importance to the development of foundation and key industries.

HÀ NỘI — The price of Robusta coffee in February increased sharply in the domestic market because coffee demand has remained at a high level, according to the Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade. The price was pushed up to very high levels at $500-550 tonne for grade-2 Robusta coffee, and at $750 - 800 per tonne for grade-4 Sumatra coffee. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the main reason for the increase in Robusta coffee export prices was concern about supply shortages. Regarding kinds of coffee, in January 2024, Việt Nam increased exports of Robusta and Arabica coffee compared to December 2023, but decreased exports of Excelsa and processed coffee. The Arabica coffee exports recorded high growth to many markets, such as the US, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and Russia.