Vietnam Today

Vietnam had disbursed just 63.86 per cent of the public investment plan assigned by the Prime Minister as of November 30; a decline year-on-year. Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh therefore asked that the heads of relevant ministries and agencies uphold their responsibility and that strict inspections and supervision be boosted to accelerate disbursement.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said at the Vietnam-US Trade Forum 2021 on December 7, with the theme “Seizing opportunities, adapting to develop in new situations”, that bilateral trade between Vietnam and the US has seen impressive growth over the years. They still hold great potential for cooperation in a number of fields, such as energy, healthcare, digital commerce, education, and agriculture. Most of the largest US corporations are already present in Vietnam, and many American investors believe that Vietnam will become an ideal, important, and safe investment location in global supply chains.

There are still scientific and technological gaps that need to be addressed to promote the sustainable development of Vietnam’s agricultural sector. Close links between science and policy need to be established in order to expand the application of scientific advances and modify the mechanisms that support and promote application.

During a phone call with his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte on December 6, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the Netherlands to support Vietnam in connecting ports and industrial zones with Europe, helping to increase its exports into these markets, and to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EUVIPA). The two leaders agreed on cooperative programs in the time to come, including promoting the development of the circular economy and renewable energy.

Covid-19 has significantly affected Vietnam’s labor market and caused a sharp decline in workforce numbers. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs is drafting a program to restore and develop the labor market, with mechanisms and policies focusing on seven major solutions.

Industrial production continued to increase in November, but according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade the unpredictable development of the Covid-19 pandemic is threatening production supply chains and labor supply. In order to maintain growth momentum to the end of the year, timely support is needed from the State to effectively control the disease.