SOCIAL IN BRIEF 28/4
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Foot-and-mouth disease strikes Ha Tinh province
Foot-and-mouth disease has broken out in Hoa Hai commune, Huong Khe district in the central province of Ha Tinh, according to the local Animal Health Department. Chemicals have been supplied to disinfect the area and flocks of suspect cattle have been isolated for observation and treatment. After two quarantine check-points were set up, only 9 heads of cattle have been found infected with the disease.
US wants to share experience in curbing climate change with Vietnam
A US environmental expert said he wanted to share experience and discuss financial solutions and policies to minimise the impacts of climate change on the environment and economic development with Vietnamese experts. The Director of the US Environmental Defence Fund (EDF)’s Climate & Air Programme Peter Goldmark, expressed his desire on the threshold of a seminar entitled “International Negotiations on Climate Change: Economic Opportunities and Consequences for Vietnam” to be held in Hanoi on April 27. To be co-organised by EDF and the US-Vietnam Trade Council’s Educational Forum (USVTC-EF), the seminar will focus on how to help Vietnam take full advantage of global negotiations on climate change to approach ideas, technologies and financial sources in order to slow down the process of climate change. It will also discuss ways for the Southeast Asian country to cope with climate change, thus mitigating its phenomenon’s negative impacts on the environment and economic development. At the event, international experts will brief about the World Climate Change Conference, scheduled to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, later this year. Vietnamese Food Culture Week in Macao
Vietnam’s General Consulate in Hong Kong and Macao and Westin Hotels and Resorts have organized a Vietnamese food culture week in Macao from April 25 to May 2. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Pham Cao Phong, Vietnam’s General Consul to Hong Kong and Macao, said the event will strengthen bilateral ties between Vietnam and Macao. The well-prepared event has enlisted the talents of many excellent cooks together with traditional Vietnamese musical performers. The Macao special administrative region is one of the potential labour markets for Vietnam. Nearly 5,000 Vietnamese are currently working there. Students get free business magazine CPA Australia Ltd. has launched its Passport Programme for students at the Banking Institute in HCM City. The students will receive a free subscription to CPA Australia’s business magazine for students published three times a year. They will have access to information on professional accounting qualifications as well as the company’s website and online library. The website offers industry reports, career planning information, business tools and other resources used by professionals working within finance, accounting and business today. Foreign aid helps mine victims in centre Clear Path International of the US will provide US$15,000 to a $15,750 project to help mine victims in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue. The project will be carried out in mountainous districts A Luoi and Nam Dong. Mine victims in the localities will be given seedlings and breeding animals, as well as training courses on animal husbandry, aquaculture and forest plantation. The province has also received assistance from other foreign and international organisations to clear bombs and mines. Earlier, the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs donated US$3.81 million to Thua Thien-Hue to carry out a bomb and mine clearance project. The project helped clear mines and explosives on 600 ha in Huong Thuy, Phu Loc, and Huong Tra districts. Safe water plan to supply sports complex Vientiane — Construction of a project to supply safe water for the sport complex for the up-coming 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 25th) began in Xaythany District, Vientiane, on Friday. The Dongbang project, with an investment capital of US$10 million, is jointly built by Mai Dong company of Viet Nam and Vientiane Safe Water Supply Company. Addressing the ceremony, Vientiane leaders pledged to create favourable conditions for the project, which will markedly contribute to developing infrastructure of the capital city and improving living conditions for local people. World Bank helps farmers in 8 provinces
The Lam Dong provincial People’s Committee on April 27 launched the Agricultural Competitiveness Programme (ACP) for the 2009-2013 period at a total cost of US$8.5 million, supported by the World Bank (WB). The ACP aims to increase the competitive capacity of farmers by assisting them to find new markets, applying new technologies and helping them to upgrade their infrastructure. In Lam Dong province, the WB will provide US$6.8 million, the rest will come from the province’s budget and the farmers themselves. Growing and breeding techniques, veterinary services and post-harvest technologies will also be included in the programme. Economic analysts predict that between 15,000-20,000 jobs will be created, mainly for poor ethnic minority people. Apart from Lam Dong, the ACP will be introduced to the 7 provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Binh Dinh, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dak Lak and Gia Lai and supported by US$59.7 million worth of capital.
This year’s temperature may rise by 0.5oC
This year’s temperature will be 0.5oC higher than the average level of previous years, according to the Central Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting Centre. Due to a hot low pressure system coming from the west, the central region is now being hardest hit by sweltering weather. There will be prolonged heat waves of unusually high temperature starting in May. However, there will also be rainfall, which will cool things down. May and June will be months with thunderstorms and strong winds on a large scale. Some mountainous provinces in the north and central region should prepare for complex phenomena and unforeseen emergencies. PV |
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