IFC to assist HCM City in building smart city

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will help Ho Chi Minh City to build a smart city plan, IFC Vice President for Asia and Pacific Nena Stoiljkovic told Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem on April 12.
IFC to assist HCM City in building smart city ảnh 1HCM City and IFC officials pose for a photo (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) –The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will help Ho Chi Minh City to builda smart city plan, IFC Vice President for Asia and PacificNena Stoiljkovic told Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee LeThanh Liem on April 12.

At the meeting in the southern economic hub ofVietnam, Liem thanked the IFC for supporting the city’s leaders during theirworking visit to the US in late 2017 during which HCM City and the IFC signed acooperation agreement.

He asked the IFC to help HCM City learn smartcity building experience from countries around the world, especially in theformation of a centre for research, simulation, forecast and building ofsocio-economic development strategies.

Liem proposed the IFC provide financial aid to assistHCM City in carrying out a feasibility study on the building of a highlyinteractive creativity centre linking districts 2, 9 and Thu Duc district so asto provide favourable conditions for the local start-up community to shareexperience and cooperate.

HCM City also looks forward to the IFC’s consultancyon the implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) projects, theofficial said, inviting the IFC to attend an international workshop on statebudget use and PPP held in coordination with the World Bank in the city in May.

Expressing her interest in bilateralcooperation, Stoiljkovic vowed that she and her colleagues will work with HCMCity to implement the cooperation memorandum inked in late 2017. She alsoaffirmed that the IFC will be a good partner of the city in supporting privatebusinesses’ development.

She highly evaluated the city’s strategic visionand efforts in building a smart city, noting that the IFC will help it studysmart city building projects. She added the construction of financial and hightechnology development centres is important to developing a smart city as theywill create connectivity and promote other fields like finance and humanresources training.

Accepting the invitation to attend the workshopon PPP, Stoiljkovic said the IFC has high-quality specialists who are ready toadvise HCM City in building the PPP structure and using capital in PPP projectseffectively. Cooperation between the IFC and HCM City will open up newapproaches in development cooperation and sponsorship, she said.

The IFC Vice President also expressed herdelight at HCM City’s selection of Standard & Poor’s Rating Service as theconsultant for credit and financial management rating. She considered this moveas a fine beginning for the city to access loans without the Government’sguarantee, thereby helping to mobilise capital for local development projectsin the future.-VNA
VNA

See more

Production at a small enterprise in Thanh Hoa province. Linkages will help small and medium sized enterprises diversify markets. (Photo: VNA)

Local businesses should strengthen links to overcome global challenges: Experts

Tran Thi Hong Minh, Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies under the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies, said: "In a world of rapid and complex changes, linkages help businesses diversify markets, connect with new models and better use resources. They are also critical in mitigating risks and enhancing overall competitiveness.”

Nestlé Vietnam announces investment expansion in Vietnam operations (Photo: thanhnien.vn)

Nestlé announces investment expansion in Vietnam operations

Since 2011, Nestlé’s NESCAFÉ Plan has supported over 21,000 coffee farming households in adopting internationally recognised sustainable farming practices. These efforts have helped reduce water use by 40–60%, cut chemical fertiliser use by 20%, and increase farmers' incomes by 30–150% through crop diversification

Vietnam to diversify markets for agricultural products amid global trade shifts. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam to diversify markets for agricultural products amid global trade shifts

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Vietnam’s agricultural product exports are inevitably affected by disruptions in global supply chains and the imposition of unilateral, stringent tariff policies by major economies. Nonetheless, these challenges also present an opportunity for Vietnam to adjust its export strategy and focus more intently on emerging and high-potential markets.

Delegates commence the construction of AEON Hai Duong Shopping Centre in Hai Duong Province on April 19. (Photo courtesy of AEON Vietnam)

Construction of AEON Hai Duong Shopping Centre kicked off

With a total investment of around 1.18 trillion VND (45.6 million USD), the AEON Hai Duong Shopping Centre is designed with a total floor area of approximately 3.6 hectares. Spanning an estimated gross floor area (GFA) of roughly 38,100 sq.m, the shopping centre will feature ample parking space for nearly 600 cars and 1,200 motorcycles.

Hai Phong hosts a conference on green transition and sustainable development. (Photo: congluan)

Hai Phong’s green growth sees both progress and obstacles

As part of its 2024 green growth efforts, Hai Phong implemented initiatives across 17 sectors. These included building and refining legal and policy frameworks as well as strengthening state management in line with green growth objectives.

Chanh Thon carpentry village in Nam Tien commune, Phu Xuyen district, Hanoi (Source: nongthonmoihanoi.gov.vn)

Hanoi to develop 254-million-USD industrial cluster

Until 2030, Hanoi looks to have 159 industrial clusters covering a total area of 3,204 ha, expand five clusters established between 2017 and 2020 with a total area of about 45 ha, and build 21 new ones covering about 536 ha.