Electronics, woodwork exports join “1 billion dollar club”

Tue, 12/28/2004 - 17:48

Electronics and woodwork became the fifth and sixth members of the “One Billion Dollar Club”, a so-called recognition group for exported goods which earn Vietnam at least one billion USD annually.
The robust growth of electronics and woodwork exports this year helped expand the club’s membership which had remained at four since 2003. The other members are crude oil, garment and textile, footwear and seafood.

The six goods are estimated to make up two-thirds of Vietnam’s export revenue.

Vietnam’s handiwork exports increase

Tue, 12/28/2004 - 17:46

Vietnam’s handicrafts exports for 2004 hit 410 million USD, up 11 per cent from last year, according to the Ministry of Trade.

The industry’s major products are woodwork, rattan, glassware, pottery and porcelain, lacquer, jewelry and gemstones.

Currently, Vietnam sells handicrafts to 133 countries and territories in the world.

Reported by X.Q – Translated by Hieu Trung.
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 27 December, 2004, 22:48:43 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News

Car sales in Vietnam to soar despite price hike

Tue, 12/28/2004 - 17:45

The cost of buying a new car in Vietnam is expected to sky-rocket starting early 2005 because of a government decision to increase tariffs on automobiles, but the market is likely to continue booming.
As planned, the government will raise the excise duty on five-seated cars to 40 percent from the current 25 percent. The new tax rate will go into effect on January 1, 2005.

Sky-high prices

The tax hike will raise car prices by about 10 percent on average, according to automakers.

US dollar plunge upsets Vietnamese businesses

Tue, 12/21/2004 - 16:46

Vietnamese importers and exporters are facing significant business risks driven by the US dollar’s steep fall against major world currencies, according to financial experts.

Although the US dollar has recovered ground from recent record lows against the Euro, no one can guarantee its downward run has ended, said experts, and the unclearness has Vietnamese businesses worried.

Significant threat

Deputy PM presses for faster land allocation to ethnic groups

Tue, 12/21/2004 - 14:03

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged local authorities of the Central Highlands Dak Doa District to speed up their efforts in allocating farm land to ethnic people in a bid to lift them out of poverty.

The Deputy Prime Minister made the request during a visit to Dak Doa District in Gia Lai Province on Dec.18, part of his working tour of the Central Highlands provinces, said a local official.

Vietnam unveils action plan to curb human trafficking

Tue, 12/21/2004 - 10:25

The Vietnamese government showed its unflinching commitment to fight human trafficking when it unveiled a draft action plan at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City Dec. 18.

The draft action plan, authorized by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai, attempts to curb the lucrative business of trafficking women and children from Vietnam to China, Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and some Eastern European countries.

“The action plan aims to cut human trafficking rates by 50 per cent by 2010,” announced Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

For Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin

Tue, 12/14/2004 - 09:54

Effects of Agent Orange

In Vietnam, during the period of 1961-1971, American army sprayed more than 80 million liters of toxic chemical substances, most of which were Agent Orange which contained about 400 kilograms of dioxin. This weapon of mass destruction has caused great suffering to countless families and left serious consequences on the natural environment and generations of Vietnamese.

Amnesty recipients to receive job assistance; PM

Wed, 12/08/2004 - 23:47

Vietnam’s prime minister has recently asked local authorities to provide vocational training and jobs for amnesty beneficiaries in 2004 and 2005 in order to help them easily integrate back into society.
PM Phan Van Khai sent a note to provincial and municipal People's Committee leaders calling upon them to cooperate with the Fatherland Front and socio-economic organizations to lend a helping hand to amnesty recipients by providing loans and jobs.

Busy Route Prompts Air Battle

Tue, 12/07/2004 - 11:23

The Vietnam-U.S. aviation transport agreement is taking off with increased travel and trade expected between the two countries. Competition on the route is becoming intense.

After more than five years of negotiations, the Vietnam-U.S. aviation transport agreement was signed in Washington in December last year. The agreement, effective since January, is not only a landmark for the transport sector, it will also has a strong impact on Vietnam's economy.

Buddhist monk creates orchid kingdom in Central Highlands

Tue, 12/07/2004 - 11:16

After setting eyes on the exquisite cymbidium orchids in the Central Highlands city of Da Lat almost 15 years ago, a Buddhist monk was inspired to create an orchid kingdom.

Buddhist Monk Thich Hue Dang started collecting cymbidium orchids in the late 1980’s when the mania for them began to subside and growers were selling them off.

Ten years later, Monk Thich Hue Dang was the owner of the largest and most beautiful cymbidium orchid farm in the city, thus gaining the love and respect of local growers as well as orchid lovers across the country.

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