Bach Thien

At a reception for the Vietnamese delegation, Naval Captain Douglas Goh briefed the guests on the functions, missions, training programs, and personnel building of the command. He also recalled his good impressions on Vietnam and its people during his previous visits to Vietnam. On behalf of the visiting delegation, Naval Captain Nguyen Duc Nam thanked the command for the warm reception, and the Singaporean Government, Army, and Navy for creating favorable conditions for the delegation. The head delegate affirmed that the Vietnam Naval Academy is willing to welcome delegations of the Singaporean Navy in general and the command in particular to have exchanges with the Vietnamese naval force. The two sides hoped to foster experience and delegation exchanges in the future. While visiting the simulated center and training center of the Maritime Training and Doctrine Command of Singapore’s Navy, the delegation of the Vietnam’s Navy was briefed on the force’s functions, missions, … [Read more...] about Vietnamese delegation visits Singaporean naval units

The committee aims to ensure a balance between supply and demand of cassava for the long term, while turning Thailand into a center of cassava production and trading. Cassava is set to be grown on 1.36 million ha while high-yield zones will be set up. Productivity is expected to increase from 50 tons per ha to 70 tons per ha by 2026, while the cost of production is hoped to be cut by 10 percent. Cassava export value is hoped to reach at least USD 5 billion by 2026. Speaking at a meeting with the committee, Minister of Commerce Apiradi Tantraporn said the strategy will add value to cassava products, and help Thailand rely less on cassava imports, mainly from China. According to market research, global cassava demand will constantly increase in the next ten years with the development of technology using the plant’s products in many industries such as chemicals, bio-petroleum, papers and solvent. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Thailand aims to become ASEAN’s top cassava producer

Exports surged 63 percent to around 406 million USD during the period, mostly yellow phosphorous, dragon fruit, mangos, watermelons, and bananas. The province has targeted total exports-imports of around 4.6 billion USD this year, up 30 percent year-on-year. The Lao Cai international border gate is one of eight major border economic zones receiving State budget funds for development during 2021-2025. The province is stepping up planning to expand its border economic zone to 16,000 ha, with priority given to infrastructure, investment attraction, and logistics. The provincial customs department is improving its working efficiency to save time and costs in handling administrative procedures, realizing the Government’s resolution on continuing with key measures to improve the business environment and national competitiveness in 2020 and a provincial decree on measures to boost local exports-imports. It is also working to improve satisfaction among businesses, conduct drastic and … [Read more...] about Exports, imports via Lao Cai int’l border gate soar 75 percent

CREDIT ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service has revised its outlook for the Philippines’ banking system to stable from negative. “We have changed the Philippines’ banking system outlook to stable from negative to reflect our expectations that a mild economic recovery will support the operating environment for banks,” said Moody’s in its analysis on Tuesday. The debt rater estimates the Philippine economy to recover at 7 percent this year. “However, a resurgence in infection rates and a reinstatement of some social-distancing measures will slow the economic recovery in first half of 2021,” it added. Moody’s likewise said asset risks remain high because of a prolonged curtailment of business activity, a high unemployment rate and weak consumer sentiment. “Ongoing social-distancing measures, though less restrictive than in 2020, amid a high unemployment rate and weak consumer sentiment will continue to weigh on the debt repayment capacity of retail borrowers and some small- … [Read more...] about Moody’s revises PH banking outlook

Starting on April 14, The Manila Times’ school in Subic that was converted into a temporary treatment facility for persons infected with Covid-19 will accept patients. The government will formally launch on Wednesday the 300-bed capacity mega quarantine center, which was built at The Manila Times College (TMTC)-Subic campus. Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., testing czar Vivencio Dizon, isolation czar Mark Villar and treatment czar Leopoldo Vega will lead the inauguration of temporary treatment and monitoring facility (TTMF). The event will also be attended by Office of Civil Defense Administrator Ricardo Jalad, Subic Mayor Jonathan John Khonghun, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma, and TMTC President and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis Ang 2nd. This comes as hospitals around the country are running out of intensive care unit (ICU) beds for critical Covid-19 … [Read more...] about Manila Times school turned into Covid-19 treatment facility