Colonel Vu Van Hung, Deputy Director of the Immigration Department at Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security (right), and Michael Tomlinson, the UK’s Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, sign a Joint Statement of cooperation to reaffirm the two countries’ strong partnership. (Photo: Courtesy of the UK’s Home Office)

Vietnam, UK sign new agreement on illegal migration

Vietnam and the UK signed an agreement to increase cooperation on tackling illegal migration in London on April 17.

Colonel Vu Van Hung, Deputy Director of the Immigration Department at Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, and Michael Tomlinson, the UK’s Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, signed a Joint Statement of cooperation to reaffirm the two countries’ strong partnership.

Under the new agreement, the two countries committed to strengthen collaboration on deterrence communication campaigns to stop dangerous journeys in small boats. They will also increase intelligence-sharing to tackle visa abuse and continue to facilitate the process for the return of those with no right to remain in the UK.

The two sides will develop a Joint Action Plan to tackle human trafficking to prevent vulnerable people and disrupt people trafficking, cited VNA.

According to the agreement, Vietnam and the UK will continue to maintain direct and effective mechanisms and communication channels to share information, and promote legal routes.

The agreement follows a dialogue on April 15 between Vietnamese Minister of Public Security, General To Lam, and the UK’s Home Secretary James Cleverly who agreed a strong set of measures to tackle visa abuse, increase intelligence sharing, deterrence messages, and continue a successful returns process for illegal migrants from the UK to their home country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hung said Vietnam and the UK share a strong strategic partnership and are celebrating 51 years of diplomatic relations. Apart from collaborations in trade, education, research, technology innovation and climate change, tackling illegal migration and human trafficking is hugely important and mutually beneficial to both countries. The two sides are committed to working together on ensuring safe and legal routes and protecting victims of human trafficking.

Tomlinson said illegal migration is a global problem that requires global solutions. This agreement is an important step with a valued partner to ensure both sides are working in lockstep to end exploitation by people-smuggling gangs, and to save lives.

He believed only through continued close cooperation with international partners will the UK dismantle the criminal networks profiting from this evil trade, and stop the boats.

In March, the UK’s Home Office launched a social media campaign in Vietnam to highlight the risks of crossing the Channel in small boats.

Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang begins Venezuela visit

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang arrived in Caracas on April 17 (local time), beginning his three-day official visit to Venezuela at the invitation of the government of Venezuela.

Upon the arrival, the Deputy PM paid floral tributes to Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh at the Ho Chi Minh Monument on Simón Bolívar Avenue in the capital.

Addressing the ceremony, Quang highlighted the life and revolutionary cause of the late president who founded the Communist Party of Vietnam and gave birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. UNESCO also honored the late president as a Hero of National Liberation and a Great Man of Culture of Vietnam.

Notably, Quang said, president Ho founded Vietnam’s modern diplomacy that attaches great importance to relations with Latin American countries.

He said his working trip is to deepen the friendship and cooperation with Venezuela, contributing to peace, cooperation, development and progress of the two peoples and the world as a whole, according to VOV.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang lays floral tributes at President Ho Chi Minh Monument in capital Caracas, Venezuela, on April 17. (Photo: VGP)

This is also President Ho’s thought when he said ‘Vietnam wants to befriend all democratic countries and does not make enemies with anyone’ in the Declaration of Independence in 1945.

Quang thanked the government and people of Venezuela for supporting and preserving the monument in capital Caracas.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Tatiana Pugh Moreno affirmed that Venezuela highly appreciates the image, career and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh.

The image of President Ho is a symbol reminiscent of the heroic and brave Vietnamese people, she stressed.

According to the diplomat, Venezuela and Vietnam have historical similarities. Both countries continue to develop, and more importantly, they do not give up the fight to protect their independence and sovereignty.

She reaffirmed the affection, solidarity and understanding of the Venezuelan people towards Vietnam, and expressed hẻ wish that the relationship between the two countries would continue to develop steadily in the future.

Later the same day, Deputy PM Quang visited and talked to officials and staff as well as representatives of Vietnamese people in Venezuela.

Domestic retailers eye export-quality products

Domestic retailers are increasing the distribution of export-quality products to cash in on the consumption trend towards green, environmentally friendly and safe products.

Recently, the Bach Hoa Xanh mini-mart chain of the Mobile World Investment Corporation signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Minh Phu Seafood Corporation - one of the leading fisheries producers in Vietnam to put export-quality shrimp products on shelves of Bach Hoa Xanh.

Pham Van Trong, General Director of Bach Hoa Xanh, said domestic retailers are making an effort to find and sell high-quality products to Vietnamese consumers.

Previously, people often thought that good-quality products were all for export, but Bach Hoa Xanh is doing the opposite to enable domestic consumers to enjoy products of a quality to compete in highly demanding markets, Trong said.

Le Van Quang, General Director of the Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, said that cooperation with the retail system will help the corporation to bring export-quality products to domestic consumers.

People shop at a Bach Hoa Xanh mini-mart in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Many businesses in other industries in Ho Chi Minh City also promote high-quality products to meet consumer tastes, particularly domestic consumers’ green lifestyle. Businesses producing and trading essential consumer goods are constantly making efforts to promote environmentally friendly products.

Nguyen Thanh Hai, General Director of the Qui Phuc Trading – Service – Production Co. Ltd., said international integration is one of the important strategies in the development process. His company has been promoting its exports to markets, aiming to expand its presence across Asia by 2025.

To meet the target, the company has determined to become a leading enterprise in manufacturing and trading furniture products in Vietnam, he added.

According to experts, a sustainable domestic supply chain will create leverage to maintain the trade growth of Vietnamese goods at home and abroad, helping businesses to compete with quality and gain consumer trust.

The domestic consumer goods market is growing and Vietnamese consumers are paying more attention to globally standardized products rather than personal feelings or prices, VNA reported.

For example, Ho Chi Minh City’s steering committee of the campaign “Vietnamese people prioritize Vietnamese goods” launched a cooperation program to control the quality of goods in the city. Reputable retail brands such as Saigon Co.op, Satra, Bach Hoa Xanh, MM Mega Market, and AEON have joined the program which focuses on selecting products with a good quality control process.

The program is considered a practical solution to promote Vietnamese products and reliable responsible businesses. Moreover, building a supply chain of Vietnamese goods will create a foundation for production orientation and improve product quality, which will help Vietnamese products better compete with imported products as well as enter the international market.

Party, State leaders commemorate Hung Kings - nation’s founders

Party and State leaders offered incense to Hung Kings, the founders of the Vietnamese nation, at Hung King Temple Complex in Phu Tho province on April 18 to commemorate their death anniversary.

The Party and State delegation was led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh who was also joined by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien, Minister of Public Security To Lam, Director of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung.

A Party and State delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (second from left) offer incense to commemorate Hung Kings, the nation's founders, on their death anniversary on the 10th day of the third lunar month that falls on April 18, 2024.

In his speech, Bui Van Quang, chairman of the Phu Tho Provincial People’s Committee, noted that in 2023 and the first months of 2024, the country has been facing many challenges from adverse external factors along with internal limitations and difficulties.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the companionship of the National Assembly, the sound performance of the Government as well as with efforts of all sectors, localities and people, the country has gradually overcome difficulties and recorded many important results in various fields.

He expected that the ancestors would bless the nation to live in peace and stability, overcome difficulties and challenges, and successfully implement the set goals and tasks, cited VOV.

Vietnamese people, no matter where they live, vow to uphold the tradition of national patriotism, solidarity and mutual assistance, to build an independent, free, peaceful, and prosperous nation, while firmly protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland’s seas and islands, stressed the official.

The 10th day of the third lunar month every year is observed as the Death Anniversary of Hung Kings. This year this day falls on April 18.

Standard Chartered Vietnam and the US promote clean energy investments in Vietnam

Standard Chartered, one of the leading financial institutions with strong commitment to green financing in Vietnam and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the deployment of advanced clean energy in Vietnam.

The MoU will establish a five-year partnership to advance the country's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

USAID Mission Director for Vietnam Aler Grubbs, said: “Through this new MoU, USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) Limited to support the private sector to develop Vietnam's advanced clean energy.

"This partnership is a model to expand collaboration with financial institutions and help accelerate the country’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Nguyen Thuy Hanh, deputy general director, head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, added: “We believe that finance can enable and accelerate the just transition to net zero, towards a nature-positive economy. Our MoU with USAID is part of our commitment to supporting our clients and helping them access sustainable financing and achieve net-zero goals.

"We will continue to work closely with our clients and our partners to provide access to finance to where it matters most and to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam.

USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered to mobilize private sector investment in advanced energy systems such as rooftop solar, utility modernisation, and power trading. USAID support will be in the form of training, capacity development, transactional support, and matchmaking activities, reported VNS.

Standard Chartered and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Photo courtesy of the bank

Standard Chartered will introduce to USAID projects and clients that may be suitable for the latter's programs of providing technical and/or other support. The bank seeks out opportunities to provide sustainability-focused products and services in support of Vietnam’s clean energy transition including but not limited to financing arrangements, financial advisory services, bilateral loans, syndicated loans, and bond issuances for qualified projects.

Standard Chartered is a fervent supporter and aligned with the Vietnamese Government’s ambitions to be Net Zero by 2050.

With 120-year history in Vietnam, Standard Chartered’s core competence is to leverage and utilize its significant network to deliver FDI to Vietnam and to facilitate Vietnamese clients who want to expand into global markets to pursue growth ambition.

Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the US is a committed partner to Vietnam in advancing the country’s transition to a clean, secure, and market-based energy sector.

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