Factory resumption eases supply chain constraints in SEA: WSJ
Factories have reopened and production is steadily picking up in major manufacturing centres of Southeast Asia as COVID-19 cases have dropped in recent weeks, easing some of the supply chain constraints that companies blame for lost sales, reported the US’s Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Hanoi (VNA) - Factories have reopened and production is steadily picking up inmajor manufacturing centres of Southeast Asia as COVID-19 cases have dropped inrecent weeks, easing some of the supply chain constraints that companies blame for lost sales, reported the US’sWall Street Journal (WSJ).
In Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, the numberof daily cases was lower than by a half compared to early September whenthey battled with the serious outbreak of COVID-19 caused by Delta variant.
The newspaper said Vietnam has considerably loosenedrestrictions since early October, making it easier for factories to reopen.
However, Apple CEO Tim Cook held that despiteimprovements in October, the situation in the region remains unpredictable.
✤ Peter Mumford, Practice Head, Southeast and South Asia at Eurasia Group,said the shortage of workers could still suspend full recovery in the comingmonths./.
Ministers of ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK, and East Asia sat down together at the virtual 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) - Closer Economic Relations (CER) Consultations on September 15.
The outlying Ba Vi district of Hanoi has well-maintained its COVID-19-free zones, or ‘green zones’, along with ensuring business operations to meet demand of local residents and supply for those in downtown.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) held a teleconference with Samsung Vietnam and its suppliers on October 14, affirming that the ministry’s top priority now is assisting businesses in Vietnam to achieve the “twin targets” of ensuring safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining production to avoid disruptions to supply chains.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
