APEC: PECC general meeting focuses on regional growth prospects
The 24th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) has proposed ideas for the future of the Asia-Pacific partnership which will be submitted to the APEC senior officials and ministers after one day of working in Hanoi.
Scene at the 24th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) in Hanoi on May 15. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 24thGeneral Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) has proposedideas for the future of the Asia-Pacific partnership which will be submitted tothe APEC senior officials and ministers after one day of working in Hanoi.
Under the theme “Visionfor an Asia-Pacific Partnership for the 21st Century", the event on May 15 comprisedfour sessions on prospects of the Asia-Pacific’s partnership and of theregion’s growth and trade connectivity, new development driving forces, and theregional agenda on digital economy.
Former director of theWorld Trade Organisation Pascal Lamy analysed emerging trends in the globaltrade which he said require governments to cooperate closer to harmonise policies,regulations and help people better understand open trade and related socialsecurity policies.
Participants highlighteddemand for forming more partnerships and seeking driving forces for the liberationof trade, regional connectivity, and inclusive, sustainable and innovative growth.
They valued the role ofmicro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and services and investment in theregional economy.
A number of opinionsfocused on new trends arising from the third wave of globalization in thedigital age/internet economy, where data and information are resources for anddriving forces of growth.
Participants said with theprinciples of win-win cooperation and flexible dialogue mechanism, APEC and thePECC have built a favourable framework for regional economies to discuss newcooperation contents.
They praised APEC collaborationwith regional and international organisations, asking regional cooperationmechanisms to push ties toward inclusive and sustainable development and builda vision for the Asia-Pacific partnership.
The Pacific EconomicCooperation Council is consisted of an international secretariat based inSingapore and a network of 23 official member committees, mostly from APEC economies.
The 24th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the High-level Policy Dialogue on Human Resources Development in the Digital Age will be highlights of the seventh working day of the second APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 2) and related meetings in Hanoi on May 15.
As a powerhouse of new technologies, skilled workforce and burgeoning middle class, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to contribute 70 percent of the global GDP by 2050.
Outcomes of ABAC III will shape ABAC’s final policy recommendations to be submitted to the ABAC-APEC leaders’ dialogue, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea this November.
This is the second year the magazine has released the ranking, which is based on total revenue and key financial indicators of enterprises from seven countries in the region: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
At the summit, publishing, tech, and media sectors will discuss emerging trends, business models, and sustainable solutions for digital publishing development in Vietnam.
This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22.
According to NordCham Vietnam Chairman Thue Quist Thomasen, the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses to contribute to green and sustainable growth.
The analysis from an investment perspective shows that the economy’s growth has been heavily capital‑driven, yet efficiency remains low as reflected by Vietnam’s Incremental Capital-Output Ratio (ICOR) being significantly higher than global and regional averages. This underscores the imperative to enhance capital‑use efficiency.
Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha urged countries to work together to remove supply chain bottlenecks, expand market access, strengthen cooperation in smart customs procedures, mutually recognise technical standards, and eliminate unnecessary protectionist barriers to boost trade and investment.
The event has gathered over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and territories, with more than 980 booths showcasing a wide range of products and technologies in automotive components, electronics, repair and maintenance, bodywork, accessories, and customisation.
The latest order follows Vietjet’s commitment for 20 additional A330neo aircraft last month, bringing the airline’s total widebody aircraft on order to 40.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang acknowledged the target represents an important milestone for socio-economic development as well as a demonstration of the country’s aspiration for robust economic growth.
The price of E5 RON92 petrol is now capped at 20,631 VND (0.79 USD) per litre, up 1,169 VND from the previous adjustment, while RON95-III costs no more than 21,244 VND per litre, up 1,277 VND.
While German consumers are familiar with Vietnamese products such as coffee, seafood, tea, and spices, many other quality items remain relatively unknown in the market. The Selgros event not only helped introduce Bac Giang lychee to German consumers but also provided them with the opportunity to experience other Vietnamese agricultural products.
The article by Cuba’s Inter Press Service detailed how Vietnamese private enterprise Agri VMA leased 1,000 ha of land in Los Palacios district, Cuba’s westernmost province of Pinar del Río, for rice cultivation over a three-year period. The project’s first harvest in 2025 recorded an impressive yield of 7.2 tonnes per hectare, far exceeding the local average of 1.6 tonnes.
During the visit, office representatives held a working session with the Tipaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry and met with several prominent local businesses operating in key sectors including industry, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics.
A Nordic delegation to Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in September will feature leading names in retail, consumer goods, logistics, and sustainable manufacturing, including global fashion giant H&M, offering fresh prospects for partnerships in fashion, textiles, and green supply chains.
With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,276 VND/USD and the floor rate 23,774 VND/USD.
Effective from the date of signing on June 18, the decision halts procedures outlined in the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Vietnam and Laos on the initial implementation of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement at the Lao Bao–Densavan border gate.
The event aimed to update businesses on new regulations and compliance requirements regarding US tax, trade, and customs policies, while offering practical solutions to facilitate exports amid shifting trade dynamics.
Scene at the 24th General Meeting of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) in Hanoi on May 15. (Photo: VNA) 
