Bangkok: The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) is closely monitoring the flood situation in the southern region of Thailand, ensuring an adequate supply of consumer goods, and preventing price gouging.

Wattanasak Sur-iam, Director-General of the DIT, recently convened a meeting with wholesale and retail operators, local stores, convenience stores, and construction material suppliers to discuss the situation.

The meeting confirmed that there is a sufficient supply of goods and no price exploitation. Major branches of stores in flooded areas continue operating normally, with only a few small branches and convenience stores in Narathiwat province closed for safety reasons due to electrical issues.

The meeting also acknowledged that transportation is still possible through large trucks. The DIT has instructed stores to maintain adequate stock to prevent shortages. Any issues with product quantity or transportation should be reported to the DIT for prompt resolution.

Additionally, the DIT will introduce affor
dable goods in the affected areas once the water recedes, focusing on halal food, essential items, and materials for home repair and cleaning to alleviate the hardships of flood-affected citizens.

The DIT, in collaboration with provincial commerce offices, will ensure that prices are displayed correctly. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to 10,000 baht, and overcharging can lead to imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine of up to 140,000 THB, or both. Any illegal activities can be reported via the DIT’s hotline at 1569./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on December 28 asked the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to perfect institutions and legal policies, creating corridors for the development of science and technology.

The Deputy PM made the request while addressing a conference reviewing the ministry’s performance in 2023 and launch tasks for 2024.

The MoST needs to have specific policies to develop this field on contents such as valuation of assets formed after implementing scientific research results, policies for scientists, and self-reliance and financial mechanisms, he said.

It is necessary for the ministry to further promote research and application of scientific and technological advances in the direction of encouraging scientists with the allocation of sufficient capital for scientific research, he said.

The Deputy PM underlined the need for good collaboration between relevant ministries and agencies and strengthening connections to learn from international experiences, thereby arousing the spi
rit of solidarity to overcome difficulties and challenges.

He lauded the ministry’s performance in 2023, saying that in the context of common difficulties in the region and the world, Vietnam has still steadfastly overcome the hardships and achieved encouraging results. Quang attributed the achievements to the significant contributions from the science and technology industry, scientists, and those working in the sector.

According to a report presented at the conference, Vietnam’s Global Innovation Index (GII) has continuously improved over the past 13 years, showing its effectiveness in converting input resources into innovative results.

Vietnam ranks 46th among 132 economies featured in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings, up two positions from last year. The country ranks second among 36 economies in the lower middle-income group, and is one of the seven middle-income countries with the most progress in innovation in the past decade.

The MOST has developed a Provincial Innovation Index (PII) and
officially deployed it nationwide from 2023. This is a tool to measure the innovation capacity and results of each locality across the country, contributing to improving the national innovation index.

In the field of high technology, the MOST has coordinated with other ministries and agencies to resolve important issues relating to accessing semiconductor chip manufacturing technology. The proportion of export value of high-tech products reached nearly 50% of the total value of exported goods. The ministry has also effectively deployed scientific and technological tasks on developing key technologies of the fourth Industry Revolution that Vietnam has advantages such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, Internet of things, 3D printing and virtual reality technology.

The national creative startup ecosystem has grown in both scale and forms of operation. It is considered one of the most dynamic ecosystems in Asia and ranked 58th in the world. The capital city of Hanoi was among the top 200 global cre
ative startup cities for the first time.

Investment in Vietnamese startups and innovation has maintained a good level of development compared to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with 56 projects and total investment capital of nearly 500 million USD in the first six months of 2023./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on December 28 asked the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to perfect institutions and legal policies, creating corridors for the development of science and technology.

The Deputy PM made the request while addressing a conference reviewing the ministry’s performance in 2023 and launch tasks for 2024.

The MoST needs to have specific policies to develop this field on contents such as valuation of assets formed after implementing scientific research results, policies for scientists, and self-reliance and financial mechanisms, he said.

It is necessary for the ministry to further promote research and application of scientific and technological advances in the direction of encouraging scientists with the allocation of sufficient capital for scientific research, he said.

The Deputy PM underlined the need for good collaboration between relevant ministries and agencies and strengthening connections to learn from international experiences, thereby arousing the spi
rit of solidarity to overcome difficulties and challenges.

He lauded the ministry’s performance in 2023, saying that in the context of common difficulties in the region and the world, Vietnam has still steadfastly overcome the hardships and achieved encouraging results. Quang attributed the achievements to the significant contributions from the science and technology industry, scientists, and those working in the sector.

According to a report presented at the conference, Vietnam’s Global Innovation Index (GII) has continuously improved over the past 13 years, showing its effectiveness in converting input resources into innovative results.

Vietnam ranks 46th among 132 economies featured in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings, up two positions from last year. The country ranks second among 36 economies in the lower middle-income group, and is one of the seven middle-income countries with the most progress in innovation in the past decade.

The MOST has developed a Provincial Innovation Index (PII) and
officially deployed it nationwide from 2023. This is a tool to measure the innovation capacity and results of each locality across the country, contributing to improving the national innovation index.

In the field of high technology, the MOST has coordinated with other ministries and agencies to resolve important issues relating to accessing semiconductor chip manufacturing technology. The proportion of export value of high-tech products reached nearly 50% of the total value of exported goods. The ministry has also effectively deployed scientific and technological tasks on developing key technologies of the fourth Industry Revolution that Vietnam has advantages such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, Internet of things, 3D printing and virtual reality technology.

The national creative startup ecosystem has grown in both scale and forms of operation. It is considered one of the most dynamic ecosystems in Asia and ranked 58th in the world. The capital city of Hanoi was among the top 200 global cre
ative startup cities for the first time.

Investment in Vietnamese startups and innovation has maintained a good level of development compared to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with 56 projects and total investment capital of nearly 500 million USD in the first six months of 2023./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on December 28 asked the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to perfect institutions and legal policies, creating corridors for the development of science and technology.

The Deputy PM made the request while addressing a conference reviewing the ministry’s performance in 2023 and launch tasks for 2024.

The MoST needs to have specific policies to develop this field on contents such as valuation of assets formed after implementing scientific research results, policies for scientists, and self-reliance and financial mechanisms, he said.

It is necessary for the ministry to further promote research and application of scientific and technological advances in the direction of encouraging scientists with the allocation of sufficient capital for scientific research, he said.

The Deputy PM underlined the need for good collaboration between relevant ministries and agencies and strengthening connections to learn from international experiences, thereby arousing the spi
rit of solidarity to overcome difficulties and challenges.

He lauded the ministry’s performance in 2023, saying that in the context of common difficulties in the region and the world, Vietnam has still steadfastly overcome the hardships and achieved encouraging results. Quang attributed the achievements to the significant contributions from the science and technology industry, scientists, and those working in the sector.

According to a report presented at the conference, Vietnam’s Global Innovation Index (GII) has continuously improved over the past 13 years, showing its effectiveness in converting input resources into innovative results.

Vietnam ranks 46th among 132 economies featured in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings, up two positions from last year. The country ranks second among 36 economies in the lower middle-income group, and is one of the seven middle-income countries with the most progress in innovation in the past decade.

The MOST has developed a Provincial Innovation Index (PII) and
officially deployed it nationwide from 2023. This is a tool to measure the innovation capacity and results of each locality across the country, contributing to improving the national innovation index.

In the field of high technology, the MOST has coordinated with other ministries and agencies to resolve important issues relating to accessing semiconductor chip manufacturing technology. The proportion of export value of high-tech products reached nearly 50% of the total value of exported goods. The ministry has also effectively deployed scientific and technological tasks on developing key technologies of the fourth Industry Revolution that Vietnam has advantages such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, Internet of things, 3D printing and virtual reality technology.

The national creative startup ecosystem has grown in both scale and forms of operation. It is considered one of the most dynamic ecosystems in Asia and ranked 58th in the world. The capital city of Hanoi was among the top 200 global cre
ative startup cities for the first time.

Investment in Vietnamese startups and innovation has maintained a good level of development compared to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with 56 projects and total investment capital of nearly 500 million USD in the first six months of 2023./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on December 28 asked the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) to perfect institutions and legal policies, creating corridors for the development of science and technology.

The Deputy PM made the request while addressing a conference reviewing the ministry’s performance in 2023 and launch tasks for 2024.

The MoST needs to have specific policies to develop this field on contents such as valuation of assets formed after implementing scientific research results, policies for scientists, and self-reliance and financial mechanisms, he said.

It is necessary for the ministry to further promote research and application of scientific and technological advances in the direction of encouraging scientists with the allocation of sufficient capital for scientific research, he said.

The Deputy PM underlined the need for good collaboration between relevant ministries and agencies and strengthening connections to learn from international experiences, thereby arousing the spi
rit of solidarity to overcome difficulties and challenges.

He lauded the ministry’s performance in 2023, saying that in the context of common difficulties in the region and the world, Vietnam has still steadfastly overcome the hardships and achieved encouraging results. Quang attributed the achievements to the significant contributions from the science and technology industry, scientists, and those working in the sector.

According to a report presented at the conference, Vietnam’s Global Innovation Index (GII) has continuously improved over the past 13 years, showing its effectiveness in converting input resources into innovative results.

Vietnam ranks 46th among 132 economies featured in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings, up two positions from last year. The country ranks second among 36 economies in the lower middle-income group, and is one of the seven middle-income countries with the most progress in innovation in the past decade.

The MOST has developed a Provincial Innovation Index (PII) and
officially deployed it nationwide from 2023. This is a tool to measure the innovation capacity and results of each locality across the country, contributing to improving the national innovation index.

In the field of high technology, the MOST has coordinated with other ministries and agencies to resolve important issues relating to accessing semiconductor chip manufacturing technology. The proportion of export value of high-tech products reached nearly 50% of the total value of exported goods. The ministry has also effectively deployed scientific and technological tasks on developing key technologies of the fourth Industry Revolution that Vietnam has advantages such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, Internet of things, 3D printing and virtual reality technology.

The national creative startup ecosystem has grown in both scale and forms of operation. It is considered one of the most dynamic ecosystems in Asia and ranked 58th in the world. The capital city of Hanoi was among the top 200 global cre
ative startup cities for the first time.

Investment in Vietnamese startups and innovation has maintained a good level of development compared to other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with 56 projects and total investment capital of nearly 500 million USD in the first six months of 2023./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange (VAVA) has surmounted many difficulties to fulfill its tasks over the last five years, deserving its status as the representative of the rights and legitimate interests of AO victims, said VAVA Chairman Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Rinh.

The fifth VAVA Congress for the 2023 – 2028 tenure is taking place in Hanoi on December 28 – 29.

Reviewing the association’s performance during 2018 – 2023, Rinh said VAVA chapters nationwide have properly submitted advice about relevant affairs to the Party, State, and all-level administrations, joined hands in addressing post-war consequences of toxic chemicals, and helped perfect the documents on support policies for AO/dioxin victims and on the settlement of toxic chemical consequences.

Communications in various forms have been boosted. The association’s emulation movement named ‘For the AO victims of Vietnam’ has been implemented on a large scale and connected with a similar campaign launched by the Vietnam Father
land Front Central Committee, thus yielding fruitful results.

VAVA chapters have also taken creative measures to mobilise resources for the care and support for victims, he said, noting that from the start of the fourth tenure to November 2023, they raised more than 2.27 trillion VND (93.4 million USD) in both cash and kind.

Thanks to social donations, they have spent over 2.16 trillion VND on supporting AO victims, built 3,973 houses for the target group, presented 24,550 scholarships worth over 19.58 billion VND in total to children of the victims, given free check-ups and medicine to 644,000 people, and helped thousands of victims to develop livelihoods and seek jobs, he continued.

In addition, the struggle for justice for AO/dioxin victims has been promoted with new forms and measures adopted in conformity with the Party and State’s viewpoint, guideline, and foreign policy, thereby helping improve the US Congress and Government’s awareness of the issue and their sense of responsibility to the cooperati
on with Vietnam in the environmental remediation of dioxin contamination at Da Nang airport in Da Nang city and Bien Hoa airbase in Dong Nai province. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has also carried out a project to assist the disabled, including AO/dioxin victims, in the provinces hit hard by toxic chemicals, along with some other projects benefiting the victims.

Rinh called this one of the big successes of VAVA over the last five years.

To support Tran To Nga, a Vietnamese French victim of AO, in her lawsuit against the US firms manufacturing the toxic chemical used by the US army during the war in Vietnam, VAVA has worked closely with French lawyers and raised resources to help her. It has also issued a statement of support for the lawsuit and sent an open letter to domestic and international organisations and individuals to call for their objection to the court’s first-instance judgment and assist Nga to sue the US firms at the appeal court in Paris, according to the chairman.

He n
oted that the fifth VAVA Congress, held ahead of the association’s 20th founding anniversary (January 10, 2004 – 2024), is an important event marking the development of VAVA from central to grassroots levels. It is a chance to disseminate the Party and State’s viewpoint, guideline, and policies on the settlement of toxic chemical consequences to raise public awareness of the issue, and call for domestic and foreign support for AO victims as well as the struggle for their justice.

Besides, the congress is also an occasion to honour collectives and individuals with excellent performance in the field, along with outstanding victims who have surmounted difficulties to integrate into the society, Rinh added.

From 1961 to 1971, the US army sprayed more than 80 million litres of herbicides, 44 million litres of which was AO containing nearly 370 kilogrammes of dioxin, over southern Vietnam.

As a result, around 4.8 million Vietnamese were exposed to the toxic chemical. Many of them have died while millions of thei
r descendants are living with deformities and diseases as a direct result of the chemical’s effects, according to VAVA./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency