Environment and natural resources
Wood exports to Europe to rise
Once the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade comes into force, there will be opportunities for Việt Nam to export more wooden products to Europe and other new markets as well as get higher prices, according to the EU Delegation to ...
Expenses for frozen seafood tests covered by Formosa
All frozen-seafood testing expenses will be covered by part of the US$500-million compensation paid by Taiwanese Hưng Nghiệp Formosa Hà Tĩnh Steel Corporation. This was the latest order from Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình, who subsequently tasked the Ministry of Finance to make the ...
President outlines steps for green future
President U Htin Kyaw set out the government’s vision for the country’s transition to a green economy on November 29 in an opening address to the 5th Green Economy Green Growth Forum, held in Nay Pyi Taw. Six broad measures – including promoting the renewable energy sector, ...
Medical waste crisis in Tuyên Quang province
Medical waste is threatening the northern province of Tuyên Quang due to difficulties in treating the hazardous material at local healthcare facilities, said Deputy Director of the provincial Health Department, Đỗ Thị Ngọc Mai. She estimated that some 500kg of medical waste were discharged daily ...
Vietnam proposes transboundary water-resources management policy
While cross-border management of water resources is a necessary long-term strategy, the question is how to do it, experts say. At the November 20 session of the 24th APEC Summit, a high-ranking leader suggested developing agriculture in a sustainable manner in tandem with the effective use ...
A water war in Asia cannot be ruled out
Asia can build a harmonious, rules-based water management system. But it needs China to get on board. Tensions over water are rising in Asia—and not only because of conflicting maritime claims. While territorial disputes, such as in the South China Sea, attract the most attention—after ...
New timber ban questioned
As of January, another of Cambodia’s highly traded varieties of rosewood will be protected by an international convention as an endangered species, but given past “dodgy trade”, observers are sceptical of how meaningful that protection will be. Demand from the Chinese market for Myanmarese rosewood ...
28 wood processing factories ordered to shut down
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has ordered the closure of 28 wood processing factories located near and inside forest areas by next month. The ministry on November 28 issued a notification requiring the immediate removal or closure of 28 wood processing factories located close to ...
Ministry moves to close vine factory
The Environment Ministry has asked Koh Kong provincial governor Bun Leut to stop construction of a factory which will process an indigenous vine and which plans to collect the yellow vine in a protected forest area. According to an official letter sent to Mr. Leut ...
Gov’t mulls Japan-led facility for aquatic research
A committee will be established to look into the construction of a 5-hectare Japan-funded aquatic centre to facilitate the study of more than 600 species of freshwater fish from the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, Prime Minister Hun Sen said on November 25. “I have ...
