Vietnam has agreed to support Laos in the construction of a new public park that will be located in Vientiane Capital.
“Wild, threatened, farmed: Hong Kong’s Invisible Pets”, a report by the ADM Capital Foundation

The ADM Capital Foundation report, “Wild, Threatened, Farmed: Hong Kong’s Invisible Pets” says the exotic pet trade in the city is contributing to extreme pressure on hundreds of species worldwide.
The report comes as global conservationists sound the alarm over a biodiversity crisis, driven by land-use and climate change, pollution and overexploitation.
“With at least four million animals imported in just five years, Hong Kong’s exotic pet trade has an outsized ecological footprint. Our demand for species like the Yellow spotted river turtle, African spurred tortoise and Pancake tortoise exacerbate unsustainable pressures on wild populations,” said Sam Inglis, the report’s lead author. “The trade is fast-moving and high volume, comprising hundreds of species, both captive-bred and wild-caught, originating from almost every biome. Many are threatened with extinction.”
The trade has expanded significantly in recent years, with rollbacks in regulations in the mid-2000s suspected to have played a role. Analysis revealed that while fewer than 15,000 CITES[1] regulated exotics were imported in 2000, this number had increased to nearly 800,000 by 2016.
The research highlights the complex needs of exotics in the trade at every point along the supply chain, and provides evidence suggesting a fragmented and outdated regulatory regime that is insufficient to ensure environmental, animal and public health.
Among various issues discussed is the suitability of many as pets given their specific husbandry needs and characteristics. Popular pets include African spurred tortoises that can live up to a hundred years; Common green iguanas that can reach two metres in length; and Alligator snapping turtles that have powerful jaws and a tendency to bite. African grey parrots require substantial mental stimulation, social interaction and space that is hard to satisfy. Mentally deprived parrots are prone to harmful behaviors such as anxiety, aggression and self-mutilation.
Concerns are compounded by the emergence of ‘Trash Pets’, where the cost of adequate care and veterinary treatment far exceeds the cost of purchase and the ability and/or willingness to pay. These animals are often considered ‘disposable’.
“There is a misconception that exotic pets that are smaller-sized entail cheaper costs of veterinary and home care,” said Christie Wong, report co-author, “however, treatment and surgeries for exotics require specialised skills, and to maintain an appropriate environment that supports good health for exotics with complex needs is by no means inexpensive.”
The exotics in trade were found to be largely untraceable. Re-exports appear to have been minimal, with fewer than half a million officially departing the city, suggesting that a large number may remain in Hong Kong’s households and pet shops. Likely many animals have died. Alternatively, large numbers of exotics may have been smuggled out of the city. It is not possible to determine which of these scenarios is true, with implications for managing many aspects of the trade, including the transmission of pathogens.
Exotics are also sourced and sold for mercy release, which is a continuing and unregulated activity in Hong Kong. The practice raises animal welfare concerns and increases the risk of invasive species and pathogens being introduced into the city, presenting an ecological threat.
“Hong Kong’s lack of a positive list of acceptable exotic pets and failure to look behind imports of large numbers of animals from suspicious source countries, which should set off alarms for law enforcement agencies, encourages the importation of smuggled animals for the pet trade and is sending species that are at serious risk of extinction more quickly towards that fate” said HKU Associate Professor Amanda Whitfort. “Our current policies and laws undermine the objectives of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity” she added.
The report aims to stimulate review of regulations related to Hong Kong’s exotic pet trade. Its call for enhancing Hong Kong’s One Health approach to ensure a holistic and pragmatic regulatory regime sets the scene for a raft of recommendations. These are wide-ranging in scope, including amendments to existing statutes, changing and implementing policies where the powers to do so are vested with the Director of AFCD, and promoting better practices within the trade and by conscientious pet owners.
They include:
- Introducing a ‘positive list’ of exotics that comprise pre-screened and pre-approved species that can be traded as pets
- Amending the Posession License system for endangered species
- Requiring permits for private pet owners to sell exotics, modelled on the requirements introduced to the dog trade in 2017
- Reviewing biosecurity protocols and ensure strict border control for exotic pets
- Implementing traceability mechanisms such as microchipping
- Introducing schemes to positively incentivise the trade to improve practices
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
2 in 3 working Singapore Residents concerned about losing job due to illness and/or disability: AIA Disability Income Survey 2022
Insights from survey led to creation of AIA Pay Protector; first in market to offer a simplified disability income plan which provides fixed monthly payouts regardless of any sources of income received during disability and any changes to insured’s income level prior to disability, and claimable upon inability to specifically perform own occupation
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 May 2022 – While two-thirds (66 per cent) of Singapore’s local workforce are worried about job loss due to illness or disabilities, more than half (53 per cent) do not have any disability income protection, according to findings from the AIA Disability Income Survey 2022.

The survey, conducted in April 2022 amongst more than 1,000 respondents[1] consisting of full-time working Singapore Residents aged 18 and above, also revealed that:
- Our workforce understands and recognises the value of disability income protection.
- Aside from cutting down on spending (66%), the local workforce would look to survive the financial implications of a job loss due to an illness or injury by:
- Relying on savings (63%)
- Finding another job where other tasks or duties can be done (58%)
- Claiming from insurance (50%)
- More than 4 in 5 (84%) know that disability income protection exists though blue collar workers (42%) deem it to be very important to have such coverage compared to white collar workers (29%).
- Top 2 reasons for getting disability income (DI) protection are to have peace of mind should anything happen (53%), and to ensure that there is financial support for loved ones if unable to work (51%).
- More than half of the respondents aged 18 and above purchase DI coverage for peace of mind. From this group, those aged 45- 54 (52%) value DI coverage most for its ability to provide financial support for self and loved ones if unable to work.
- Aside from cutting down on spending (66%), the local workforce would look to survive the financial implications of a job loss due to an illness or injury by:
- Simplicity and certainty of payouts are top priorities when choosing a disability income policy.
- 9 in 10 highlight the importance of having mental health conditions covered in disability income policies.
- Most valued features of a disability income policy identified are:
- Monthly payouts if unable to specifically perform own occupation due to illness, mental conditions, or injuries (91%).
- Fixed monthly disability income regardless of whether there are any sources of income during disability[2] (90%).
- Fixed monthly disability income regardless of any future changes in income prior to disability e.g. pursuing a role which may pay less[3] (90%).
- Key barriers to purchasing disability income policies include product complexity, complicated processes and high premiums.
- 1 in 4 (25%) of females cite the cost of premiums as a reason for not having DI protection compared to less than 1 in 5 (16%) of males. This was the most selected reason amongst females.
- However, 22% of men said they did not have DI protection because they don’t think they need it – the most selected reason amongst males. Only 13% of women chose this reason.
Melita Teo, Chief Customer and Digital Officer, AIA Singapore, said, “Losing one’s job and becoming dependent on others due to an unexpected accident or illness is painful and places heavy financial and emotional burdens on a person and their loved ones. Understanding the pain points of disability income plans allows us to better address Singaporeans’ concerns which range from affordability, to ease of getting insured and making a claim. These are key priorities which informed how we developed the AIA Pay Protector to make disability income protection accessible to even more members of the community.”
In 2021, a Ministry of Manpower (MOM) report noted that workplace injuries have risen to pre-covid levels, with construction, transportation and storage sectors accounting for the highest number of fatalities[4]. The gap in disability income protection is a cause for concern, especially among blue-collared workers who are at a higher risk of disability due to the nature of their work.
AIA Pay Protector – first-in-market simplified disability income plan offers lower premiums, fixed monthly benefits regardless of income fluctuation or any sources of income and simplified processes
Designed with insights and feedback from customers and AIA Insurance Representatives, the AIA Pay Protector addresses key concerns and barriers around product complexity, vague definitions, and claims uncertainty arising from declaration of earnings and income fluctuation.
AIA Pay Protector is the first-of-its-kind in the market that promises payouts will not be offset by any sources of income or other disability income insurance payouts and will not be affected by any changes to income prior to disability, giving customers a peace of mind and ample support to reboot their careers while they recover from illness.
Customers can select their desired fixed monthly payouts from a range of $1,000 to $5,000[5] where benefits will be paid out for up to 5 years[6] in the event where they are unable to perform material duties of their own occupation due to illness or disability (physical or mental).
With fixed payouts, claim processes are streamlined and become more efficient due to the elimination of calculation when claims are eventually made.
AIA Pay Protector also provides payouts in the event of job loss due to mental health conditions, paving the way for destigmatising mental health within the workplace.
This echoes the growing focus on mental health and well-being amongst Singaporeans as they emerge from a prolonged pandemic. As a leading insurer, AIA Singapore recognises the need for the inclusion of mental health in different types of insurance coverage, and as a reason for job loss across occupations. In 2019, AIA Singapore is the first insurer to cover mental health in its critical illness plan, AIA Beyond Critical Care.
Irma Hadikusuma, Chief Product Proposition Officer, AIA Singapore, said, “It is important for us to recognise and help people address their protection gaps with simple, innovative solutions. The pandemic has accelerated the need for greater financial independence – regardless of whether you’re single or have a family to care for. AIA Pay Protector responds to this demand by promising continuity of this independence with certainty of income in the short term for the unexpected event of job loss due to mental illnesses or physical disabilities.”
Customers who are keen to apply for AIA Pay Protector can do so directly from My AIASG app or contact an AIA Insurance Representative. The hassle-free application process includes a simple medical history questionnaire that customers can fill out on their own. Customers are neither required to disclose their actual income amount nor submit their payslip in the process of application via our digital direct sales platform.
For more information on AIA Pay Protector, and AIA’s comprehensive disability proposition, please visit: https://www.aia.com.sg/en/our-products/disability-income-protection/aia-pay-protector.html [7]
[2] Example: A customer, 40 years old, earns S$4,000 as a Telco Customer Service Officer. To protect his livelihood from unexpected illness or injury, he takes up AIA Pay Protector with a monthly income payout of S$3,000. One day, John suffers a rare viral condition that leads to vocal cord paralysis, causing him to lose his ability of speech and subsequently his job. Upon disability, the plan pays him S$3,000 monthly benefit (i.e. the coverage he bought). The following year, despite his disability he managed to find a new job as a Data Entry Clerk that pays him S$1,500 a month. The plan continues to pay him S$3,000 monthly benefit (i,e no offset of any income).
[3] Example: A customer’s income was S$5,000 at the point of purchase of the AIA Pay Protector plan and his sum assured is S$3,000 (monthly benefit). A few years later (prior to disability), his income declined to $2,500. Upon disability, the plan still pays him S$3,000 monthly benefit (i.e. the coverage that he bought) regardless of his income level prior to the disability.
[4] ‘Workplace injuries in the first half of 2021 comparable to pre-COVID-19 levels, but fatal accidents a ’cause for concern’: MOM’ (8 Oct, 2021). Channel News Asia. Ian Cheng. Available at: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/workplace-injuries-first-half-2021-pre-covid-19-levels-mom-2230331
[5] Customers can pick and choose the fixed monthly payout they would like to receive from 5 packages, where monthly benefit is fixed at $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000 and $5,000, subject to 75% income replacement ratio of their average monthly income in the last 12 months.
[6] Subject to a 90-days deferment period.
[7] This insurance plan is underwritten by AIA Singapore Private Limited (Reg. No. 201106386R) (“AIA”). All insurance applications are subject to AIA’s underwriting and acceptance. This article is not a contract of insurance. The precise terms and conditions of this plan, including exclusions whereby the benefits under this plan may not be paid out, are specified in the policy contract. You are advised to read the policy contract. You may wish to seek advice from an AIA Financial Services Consultant for a financial analysis before purchasing this policy. Should you choose not to seek advice from an AIA Financial Services Consultant, please consider whether the product is suitable for you, and you take responsibility to ensure that this plan is appropriate to meet your financial needs and insurance objectives. You may wish to terminate the policy according to the free-look provision if you find that the policy is unsuitable after purchasing it, and AIA may recover from you any expense incurred in underwriting the policy.
Buying health insurance products that are not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs. You are discouraged from switching from an existing accident and/or health insurance policy to a new one without considering whether the switch is detrimental, as there may be potential disadvantages with switching. A penalty may be imposed for early policy termination and the new policy may cost more or have fewer benefits at the same cost.
Protected up to specified limits by SDIC. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
The information is correct as at 18/05/2022.
About AIA
The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$340 billion as of 31 December 2021.
AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 39 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.
1. Hong Kong SAR refers to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
2. Macau SAR refers to Macau Special Administrative Region.
#AIA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Spot by NetApp Delivers Cloud Desktop-as-a-Service Solution for Service Providers, Enterprises and Today’s Distributed Workforce
Spot PC provides MSPs and enterprises with a comprehensive managed cloud desktop solution with the security, reliability and flexibility businesses need to succeed
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 May 2022 – NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company, today announced the general availability of Spot PC, the managed cloud Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution — with security, automation, observability and optimization designed for the public cloud and for the needs of today’s remote and distributed working environments.
Available today, Spot PC provides Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and their customers with a cloud desktop solution optimized for security, privacy and infrastructure efficiency, with predictable pricing to reduce overall support burdens and allow existing staff to deliver and support many more desktops, increasing profitability.
With the rapid acceleration of hybrid work environments, organizations have been compelled to evolve their IT infrastructure to support remote work environments, building distributed teams, and enabling hybrid offices while navigating supply chain issues and cyber security threats. In fact, according to Gartner’s 2021 Market Guide for Desktop as a Service (DaaS), Gartner expects the global DaaS market to grow nearly 253 percent from 2021 to 2024.
But the most common solutions available to deliver remote desktops, based on traditional virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) were never designed for the public cloud and therefore require significant effort for administration, management and troubleshooting. As a result, today’s remote desktop offerings come with significant operations burdens, can be time consuming and complex to set up, migrate to, and manage, and are expensive to deploy and operate.
“Service providers and enterprises today require the right tools and solutions that are built for the cloud for optimal efficiency of their resources,” said Anthony Lye, Executive Vice President of Public Cloud Services at NetApp. “With Spot PC, we’re equipping MSPs and enterprises to bring differentiated, profitable cloud desktop solutions to market to meet growing demand from their customers and enabling them to deliver flexible, secure and fit-for-purpose remote work experiences to a variety of users across multiple locations and regions.”
Spot PC delivers a comprehensive as-a-service solution to these challenges, enabling MSPs and enterprises to provide secure, reliable, and fully optimized cloud desktops to support a broad range of needs.
Spot PC provides MSPs and enterprises with the ability to:
- Deliver cloud desktops with speed, flexibility and agility across multiple locations and regions to support a wide range of tasks for knowledge and technical computing users
- Ensure that cloud desktop environments meet security, availability and performance requirements without overburdening IT staff
- Provide predictable cost structure using patent-pending AI and machine learning automated optimization
“We are really excited for Spot PC and the benefits and automation it will provide us and our clients,” said Derek Anderson, President at Biztek Solutions. “We see Spot PC as the go to solution for secure, cloud hosted desktops that will enable businesses to adopt remote and hybrid work environments that easily scale with their business.”
“Working with NetApp has meant that Cloud PC as a Service has become an exciting prospect for our clients to enjoy Spot PC, combined with complete support for the virtual desktop and the office suite that our clients use,” said Peter Beglan, CEO at Cloud PC Ltd & HyCloud Ltd. “We are so confident that this combined virtual desktop solution will be eagerly received in the UK that we have already made plans to start offering Cloud PC as a Service within the European marketplace.”
Spot PC is available today, direct from NetApp for enterprises and service providers with a fixed pricing structure per user per month.
Additional Resources:
About NetApp
NetApp is a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company that empowers organizations to lead with data in the age of accelerated digital transformation. The company provides systems, software and cloud services that enable them to run their applications optimally from data center to cloud, whether they are developing in the cloud, moving to the cloud, or creating their own cloudlike experiences on premises. With solutions that perform across diverse environments, NetApp helps organizations build their own data fabric and securely deliver the right data, services and applications to the right people—anytime, anywhere. Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on
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NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
#NetApp
G8 Partners with South Korean ODIN to Develop Next Generation Wind Power Systems for Offshore and Island Power Generation
- G8 enters into MOU agreement with ODIN South Korea for the development of next generation wind power systems
- Advances Modular construction has two registered patents and 55 other patents in countries like the United States and Europe, and is renowned to be economically efficient and eco-friendly with low space occupancy
- Advances design enables wind energy with low velocity of 3m/s with ultra-low noise levels, which is suitable for Singapore and other coastal and urban applications
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 May 2022 – Singapore-based technology company, G8 has entered into an agreement (“MOU”) with the South Korean wind energy producer, ODIN to develop a charging tower powered entirely by renewable wind energy. Its highly sophisticated design will boost capacity factor and electrical value. Engineered with state-of-the-art energy management functions, the tower will also enable recharging, real-time interconnectivity, as well as smart peak power consumption management.
ODIN is a multi-layered cylindrical tower that generates electricity independently. The venturi and vortex effect on the opposite side of the tower creates gusts of wind and increases wind speed, making it the world’s first renewable energy technology to maximize power efficiency. Its rooftop will be used for a variety of functions related to its commercial enterprise. The tower’s lowest levels host an energy generating layer that could potentially be used to power infrastructure projects in urban areas and offshore islands.
Gerald Tan, Founder & Managing Director at G8 said, ”We are excited about this collaboration with our S-Korean partners and we will utilize this proven technology to increase the efficiency and capacity factor of wind power generation for our Island Power and offshore based systems. G8 Energy has responded to the strong demand for renewable energy by accelerating investment in the industry. As G8 and ODIN embark on this new partnership, both companies hope to realize their aspiration of ushering in a future powered by clean infinite energy.”
Emerging Enterprise: G8
Having received Singapore’s 2021 Emerging Enterprise Award, G8 remains committed to capitalizing on the robust demand for renewable energy technologies. The company’s ambition for a potential NASDAQ listing in 2022 has attracted a USD 10 million investment and technology collaboration deal with 3DOM of Japan, valuing G8 at USD 200 million. Growing interest from investors has positioned the Group as leaders in sustainable energy storage and wind and solar energy exploration globally. Together with 3DOM as a technology partner, the Group has set its sights on playing a key role in the battle against climate change with complete green energy generation and storage solutions.
Demand is growing faster than in any other region worldwide, supported by expanding populations, robust economic growth prospects, and significant potential due to the low market penetration of renewables4. Global consulting agency Deloitte predicts that the aggregate installed capacity of floating photovoltaics (FPVs) will reach 5.2GWp globally by the end of 2022, representing US$4 to 5 billion in spending.
G8 has nearly 3 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy and sub-sea transmission projects under development in Asia. Its footprint spans Indonesia, South Korea, India, and soon, Africa.
#G8
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Myanmar Resistance Asks for Western Weapons

Myanmar’s shadow government defense commander has requested foreign assistance to arm resistance fighters against the governing military, demanding support akin to that offered to Ukrainians resisting invading Russian troops.
Intentions to receive vaccines are associated with the intensity of the pandemic waves and the toughness of anti-pandemic measures; A “rising then declining” trend was observed in vaccine hesitancy, PolyU study finds
Supported by the Health and Medical Research Fund administered by the Food and Health Bureau, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has conducted a longitudinal study to investigate Hong Kong residents’ adherence to various COVID preventive measures and their intention to receive vaccines. The study, which randomly sampled 1,225 people aged 18-85 years old, comprised three stages of phone interviews during the 4th and 5th waves of the pandemic in Hong Kong. Findings have been published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and Vaccines respectively. Researchers revealed that there was a “rising then declining” trend in vaccine hesitancy amongst the respondents. The team suggested that the government should further review the incentives for vaccination and adopt a two-pronged approach (via “policy” and “education”), to enhance people’s awareness and confidence in vaccines.
Stage 1 (19 December, 2020 – 6 January, 2021)
The first round of phone interviews was conducted at the beginning of the 4th wave of the pandemic when the public vaccination programme had yet to have been launched. The majority of the 1,225 respondents reported adhering to the preventive measures suggested by the government, while also indicating reluctance to receive COVID vaccines:
- Wearing face masks in public spaces (94%)
- Avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth (88%)
- Using alcohol-based hand sanitiser (82%), and maintaining social distance (75%)
- Indicating an intention to receive vaccines (42%)
- Indicating a hesitancy or refusal to receive vaccines (58%)
Intention to receive vaccination is influenced by multiple factors. Higher intention to receive a vaccine can be related to male gender, older age, type of employment, past experience of epidemics such as SARS and swine flu, lower vaccine safety concerns, higher perceived risk of infection, higher self-efficacy, and greater acceptance of disease prevention measures.
Stage 2 (1 June, 2021 – 11 July, 2021)
Six months after the first round of interviews, 1,003 respondents were contacted to track their actual vaccination status. In this second round of interviews three months after the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme had been launched (note: the Programme officially launched on February 26, 2021). One in four respondents (24%) reported that they had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The main reasons given were to:
- Ensure personal health (68%) and health of family members (64%)
- Meet workplace vaccination requirement (55%)
- Respond to the call from the government (42%)
- Prepare for quarantine-free travel and restriction-free social activities (28%)
Findings showed that actual vaccination status and previous intention to receive a vaccine were not related. Instead, respondents’ decisions to vaccinate were affected by their trust in the government and the healthcare system, acceptance of pandemic control measures, current experiences of COVID-19 and the vaccination status of people they know.
Stage 3 (21 December, 2021 – 21 January, 2022)
The third round of interviews was conducted during the early stage of the 5th wave of the pandemic, which was twelve months after the first round and almost a year since the start of the COVID-19 vaccination Programme. At that time, over 80% of respondents had received at least one dose of COVID vaccines. The main reasons given were to:
- Meet workplace vaccination requirement (57%)
- Ensure personal health (55%) and health of family members (51%)
- Respond to the call from the government (32%)
- Prepare for quarantine-free travel and restriction-free social activities (32%)
Changes in intentions to vaccinate
Findings show that respondents’ intentions to vaccinate changed over time. Vaccine hesitancy and refusal rates that had risen dropped in the third round of interviews.
- Stage 1
- Vaccine hesitancy or refusal (54%), vaccine willingness (46%)
- Stage 2
- Vaccine hesitancy or refusal (58%), vaccine willingness (42%)
- At least one dose of vaccine (24%)
- Stage 3
- Vaccine hesitancy or refusal (42%), vaccine willingness (59%)
- At least one dose of vaccine (80%)
“Intentions to receive vaccines are associated with the intensity of the pandemic waves and the toughness of anti-pandemic measures,” says Professor Elsie Chau-wai Yan, Associate Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, PolyU, who leads the study; “For example, residents were more reluctant to receive jabs during the less severe 4th wave of the pandemic. But when Omicron-led infections started to sweep Hong Kong and the government began to implement vaccination requirements, both intentions to vaccinate and actual vaccination rates climb to a higher level.” To further boost vaccine uptake, the government should adopt a flexible strategy to encourage people to receive vaccines, suggests Professor Yan “While it is crucial to develop timely anti-pandemic measures and to introduce mandatory vaccination in certain populations, it is equally important for the government to strengthen the promotion of vaccination. Thorough explanations of the benefits and the needs of vaccination to the public for protecting individuals and their families can be key to success.”
Viet Nam – US Agricultural cooperation: reliability and mutual benefit

Minister Le Minh Hoan and the delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development worked with the US Department of Agriculture. Photo: Le Trung Quan.
Vietnamese Prime Minister – Pham Minh Chinh met and worked with high-ranking officials and large US corporations during the trip. In addition, the Prime Minister attended commercial, tourism, and investment promotion activities and met the members of the Vietnamese community in the US.
The trip left a strong impression, opening up new cooperation opportunities, gaining understanding between the parties, and promoting trade and international cooperation relations.
On the sidelines of the Prime Minister’s working trip to the US, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development worked with the US Department of Agriculture and cooperated with partners to hold a seminar to connect Viet Nam – United States agricultural enterprises.
Meeting between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the US Department of Agriculture
At the meeting with the US Department of Agriculture on May 11, 2022, Minister Le Minh Hoan emphasised that Viet Nam has considered the US an essential agriculture partner for many years. Along with 27 years of normalising Viet Nam-US relations, the two ministries have implemented many substantive and practical cooperation activities.
The minister said that the Government of Viet Nam has approved and been promptly deploying the Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development and orienting Viet Nam to become a country responsible for food security and the global environment.
To contribute to the performance of Viet Nam’s commitments at COP26, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has led to carrying out a range of activities. Viet Nam’s agricultural industry has been transforming towards green agriculture.
Viet Nam has contributed to many initiatives with the United States, other countries, and international organisations, such as the Initiative “Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate” (AIM4C); Action Alliance “Promoting sustainable productivity growth for food security and resource conservation” (SPG); “Center for Innovation in Food Technology”; and the Initiative “100 million farmers: transition to net-zero, nature-positive food systems.”
The minister suggested the US continue to support Viet Nam in financial and technical resources through specific actions so that Viet Nam can enhance its capacity and successfully implement global initiatives, transformation to green, environmentally friendly, and low emission agriculture.
Moreover, the minister suggested the US keep on paying attention and offer specific technical support packages for Viet Nam to more efficiently carry out the commitments in the Agreement between the two parties, such as (i) Strengthening the capacity of law enforcement in timber and timber products trade, forest resource survey for Vietnamese agencies; (ii) Developing the capacity on the management of Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) to fulfil the commitments on sustainable forest development better, creating livelihoods for people.
On behalf of the US Department of Agriculture, Deputy Minister Jason Hafemeiser thanked the Minister Le Minh Hoan for providing an overview of the cooperation relationship between Viet Nam and the US in agriculture and affirmed that the US considers Viet Nam as one of its leading agricultural partners and that the agriculture of both countries is complementary to each other for mutual development.
Deputy Minister Jason Hafemeiser announced that the opening of Viet Nam’s pomelos is being actively promoted. Besides, he emphasised that cooperation to strengthen the capacity of sustainable development and climate change is the top priority of the US Government today. Furthermore, the US has been making a plan for COP27 to continue promoting the initiatives which have been already underway.
To realise the cooperation above opportunities, both parties agreed to direct the specialised agencies of both ministries to cooperate actively and more deeply discuss to reach the best solutions in promoting the opening of the markets, scientific and technological cooperation, boosting sustainable development, responding to climate change.
Seminar to connect Viet Nam – US agricultural enterprises
On May 13, 2022, in Washington D.C., the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan and the Senior Vice President for Policy at the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), Marc Mealy, co-hosted a seminar to connect Viet Nam – US agricultural enterprises.
The seminar featured representatives of agencies, enterprises, and associations in the agriculture sector and banks and investment funds of the two countries. The US’s major commodity associations, such as the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the US Grains Council, the National Pork Producers Council, and some multi-national agricultural corporations, also participated in the seminar.
At the seminar, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development representative informed us about the priority orientation of the Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development to 2030 and a vision for 2050, which the Prime Minister approved on January 28, 2022.
“Eco-agriculture – Modern countryside – Innovative farmers” are the three pillars of this Strategy. To achieve this, Viet Nam’s agriculture must transition from output-driven to economic thinking, build multi-integrated values of agro-forestry-fishery products, link value chains of farming households with local enterprises and global corporations, create industry clusters, develop the systems of storage, preservation, processing, logistics, and distribution, enhance innovation, digitalisation, green transformation in agriculture.
To implement this strategy, it is crucial to building a reliable partnership between the agribusinesses of the two countries. Vietnam and the US are two countries with strengths in agriculture. However, the agro-forestry-fishery products of the two countries are complementary, not competitive, or substitute for each other.
Moreover, with the accompaniment of the two countries’ governments to facilitate market opening, the import and export turnover of Viet Nam – US agro-forestry-fishery products has more than doubled from 7.4 billion USD in 2015 to 17 billion USD in 2021.
Viet Nam has strengths in tropical industrial crops, tropical vegetables, aquaculture, timber and wooden products. Meanwhile, the US is a strong country regarding animal feed, meat and fishery products, and biotechnology.
The two countries’ businesses discussed their strengths and needs for commercial cooperation and agricultural investment between Viet Nam and the US at the seminar. The US enterprises are especially interested in exporting and investing in next-generation inputs for agricultural production, sustainable, circular, low-emission farming models, taking advantage of opportunities of farm markets in not only Viet Nam but also ASEAN with 650 million people, of which Viet Nam is the central gateway to access the need of this bloc.
At the seminar, Minister Le Minh Hoan said that the US had become the leading import partner of Viet Nam’s agro-forestry-fishery products. The minister oriented the two countries’ businesses to build a reliable, stable and long-term partnership in the context of world fluctuations.
It is the basis for making the best use of the new opportunities created by global events. The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is willing to listen to and accompany the two countries’ businesses to solve difficulties and obstacles and create a favourable production, business, and investment environment for the international business community.
Also, the ministry is ready to prepare the forums for businesses and localities to exchange and make the best use of new opportunities in technology and markets. The minister appealed to the significant commodity associations and large corporations of the US to coordinate with the ministry to provide information and guidance to Vietnamese localities and enterprises on the requirements and standards of the US agricultural, agro-forestry-fishery market.
In the seminar, four cooperation agreements were signed between the parties, including: (1) Cooperation Agreement (MOU) between Sustainable Agriculture Development Partnership with Pepsico and Care International on strengthening cooperation in inclusive and sustainable food production in Viet Nam; (2) an MOU between Bac Giang province and ERG group on promoting the trading of local agricultural products; (3) an MOU between Moc Thinh Phat Furniture Production Joint Stock Company and Grasslands Farms company on promoting trade in agricultural products; and (4) an MOU between Nevist Vietnam International Import-Export Company and AGP on trade and investment promotion in the agricultural sector.
Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, Director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), said: “Since 2020, the United States has become the largest partner in agro-forestry-fishery (AFF) trade with Viet Nam. The good news is that despite the COVID pandemic, economic recession, and supply chain disruptions, both AFF exports and imports have increased at double-digit rates recently.
“This proves the complementarity of each other rather than the direct competition of the AFF products between Viet Nam and the US. Our common policy is to develop a reliable partnership and ensure mutual benefits in agricultural cooperation with the United States”.