Delegates to the meeting in a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam plays active role in ASEAN agricultural cooperation

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Quoc Tri, head of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) Vietnam, attended the 45th AMAF meeting, which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from October 4-6.

The meeting reviewed ASEAN cooperation in agriculture and forestry, which has contributed to ensuring food security, and sustainable, adaptive and low-carbon agriculture in the region.

It encouraged ASEAN Working Groups to continue implementing priority tasks in collaboration in food, agriculture and forestry.

A total of 16 important documents submitted by the working groups regarding cultivation, husbandry, aquaculture and fishery, along with a press release were adopted on this occasion.

Vietnam has raised and participated in many ASEAN agriculture and forestry initiatives, including the ASEAN Integrated Food Security (AIFS) and the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan of Action on Food Security in the ASEAN Region (SPA-FS).

The country has also initiated the ASEAN strategy on promoting biomass energy and raised the initiative to develop rural communities and craft villages in the region, cited VNA.

Within the framework of AMAF 45, there was the ASEAN-Japan conference on agriculture and forestry, the first of its kind for ministers of the two sides on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their friendship and cooperation.

The conference adopted that ASEAN-Japan MIDORI Cooperation Plan for Strengthening Cooperation towards Enhancing Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Ensuring Regional Food Security.

Vietnamese GDP likely to see 6% rise this year, say analysts

Vietnam’s economic growth is predicted to expand by between 9.3% and 10.6% in the fourth quarter, thereby achieving annual GDP growth of 5.8% to 6% providing that growth drivers are fully tapped into and the global market rallies, according to economic experts at the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV).

6% GDP scenario likely

In order to achieve this target, Vietnam should promote its traditional growth drivers, including public investment and domestic consumption, suggested Dr. Can Van Luc and the group of BIDV experts in a recently released study.

The analysts assumed that if 95% of total public investment capital is disbursed as directed by the Prime Minister, it would contribute 2% to overall GDP growth. Furthermore, if domestic consumption grows by an additional 1%, it would add 0.2% more to GDP growth.

The think-tank also underscored the importance of spurring the growth of the country’s leading economic locomotives of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which made up about 39% of the country’s GDP growth in 2019, according to VOV.

Vietnam’s economic growth is predicted to expand by 5.8% to 6% this year providing that growth drivers are fully tapped into and the global market rallies, according to analysts.

Meanwhile, they suggested effectively exploiting new growth drivers in an attempt to further speed up economic growth. Experts outlined the latest growth drivers, including the digital economy, labour productivity, total factor productivity (TFP), stronger development of the private economic sector, and favourable economic institutions, along with regional connectivity and green growth.

They maintained that management agencies should seek to accelerate the process of perfecting institutions, especially laws concerning land, housing, real estate business, credit institutions, and bidding.

Optimism surrounds FDI attraction

Making an in depth analysis of national socio-economic development over the past nine months, the experts noted several positive signals and bright spots from the domestic economy backed by the introduction of policies which aim to remove difficulties and promote economic growth. The Government has adopted fiscal support packages totaling nearly VND200 trillion, with about VND78 trillion being disbursed.

Among the growth drivers, the services sector continued to play the leading role in growth. Basic inflation remained stable, although it remained under increasing pressure, with the nine-month consumer price index averaging 3.16%.

It is also noteworthy that the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction is becoming a bright spot amid the gloomy picture of global FDI attraction which is anticipated to drop by 4%. Statistics highlight that Vietnam attracted US$20.21 billion in FDI capital between January and September, up 7.7% year on year, while US$15.91 billion worth of FDI has been disbursed, up 2.2% year on year.

FDI attraction has recovered thanks to increased investment from several major Vietnamese partners such as Singapore, China, and Japan. The Government’s recent policies aim to support and remove difficulties faced by businesses, with these helping to improve the local investment and business environment.

The Government has been working hard in a bid to maintain major economic balances, including lowering bank interest rates and keeping the forex market in check. Heightened economic diplomacy backed by several recent high-level visit exchanges, including the US President Joe Biden’s visit to Vietnam in September, is expected to lend a helping hand to economic development efforts, said analysts.

Vietnam, US foster cooperation in global issues

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, had a working session with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Representative to the UN, in New York on October 5 to discuss measures to strengthen cooperation between the two delegations in global issues at multilateral forums, including the UN.

This is an activity to implement and concretise the Joint Leaders' Statement on the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was approved by both sides during the recent State visit to Vietnam by US President Joe Biden, reported VNA.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, (R) receives Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Representative to the UN (Photo: VNA)

The two ambassadors engaged in candid discussion and shared views on their priorities at the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, areas of mutual concern such as sustainable development and compliance with international law, and regional and international peace and security issues, thereby narrowing differences, promoting mutual understanding and trust, and focusing on finding solutions to global and regional issues.

They agreed to maintain consultations and intensify cooperation, including the implementation of joint initiatives between the two delegations, in the spirit of the Joint Leaders’ Statement, thus contributing to further developing bilateral relations, and to peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the region.

Phu Quoc among Asia’s top 10 most favorite islands

Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island off the coast of the southern province of Kien Giang, has been named among the top 10 most favourite resort islands in Asia in the Readers’ Choice Award 2023 by tourism magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CNTraveler) of the United States.

The destination dubbed “Pearl Island" ranked eighth on the list with an overall score of 88.89 out of 100.

Phu Quoc is listed among Asia’s top 10 most favourite islands by CNTraveler.

This marks the second time that Phu Quoc has been included among the leading Asian islands. Last year it finished sixth on the list.

Blessed with clear blue water beaches like Bai Sao and Bai Dai, Phu Quoc features plenty of local specialties, including seafood, pepper, and pearls, among others.

It also boasts plenty of well-known tourist attractions, such as Duong Dong town, Ham Ninh and Ganh Dau fishing villages, along with other attractive tourist sites.

Bali of Indonesia topped the ranking with 91.08 points, followed by Koh Samui of Thailand, Boracay of the Philippines, Phuket of Thailand, Langkawi of Malaysia, Palawan of the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Okinawa & Ryuku Islands of Japan, and Siargao of the Philippines.

Japanese foreign minister to visit Vietnam

Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yōko Kamikawa will visit Vietnam on October 10-11, at the invitation of Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on Thursday that the visit takes place as the Vietnam-Japan relations are "florishing comprehensively in all aspects with a very high level of political trust."

The two sides are promoting engagements via exchanging delegations at both high level and all levels as well as exchanges between localities, and also recently Vietnam had a visit by Crown Prince Akishino and the Crown Princess Kiko of Japan, cited VNS.

Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yōko Kamikawa. Photo: AFP

Vietnam and Japan are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023, and since the start of the year, almost 500 events have been held to commemorate this.

The foreign minister of Japan is expected to hold talks with Vietnamese counterpart Sơn as well as have meetings with other Vietnamese senior leaders.

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