Flower stalls line the street in Hanoi, Vietnam. PHOTO: XINHUA
HANOI (XINHUA) – Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) posted a 7.4 per cent year-on-year growth in the third quarter of this year, the country’s General Statistics Office (GSO) said yesterday.
Specifically, the sector of agriculture, forestry and fishery grew by 2.58 per cent against the same period last year, while the services up 7.51 per cent during the cited period.
The industry and construction sector grew 9.11 per cent. The processing and manufacturing industry hit six-year record at an 11.41-per-cent increase. Head of the GSO Nguyen Thi Huong said the country’s GDP in the first nine months of this year reported a 6.82 per cent year-on-year expansion.
The 3.2-per-cent growth of the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector in nine months remained lower than the previous years due to the severe impacts of Typhoon Yagi in September, she said.
Meanwhile the industry and construction sector grew by 5.37 per cent and services up 6.95 per cent in the nine-month period.
Flower stalls line the street in Hanoi, Vietnam. PHOTO: XINHUA
SHANGHAI (AFP) – World number one Jannik Sinner said he needed a day off after pushing through his tiredness to come from a set down and beat Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-2 at the Shanghai Masters yesterday.
He will be joined in the last 16 by Daniil Medvedev, who also had to rally to overcome tenacious Italian Matteo Arnaldi 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
A weary-looking Sinner dropped the first set on a tiebreak to the 37th-ranked Etcheverry, just three days after losing a 3hr 21min China Open final in Beijing to Carlos Alcaraz.
But the 23-year-old recovered in the second set, breaking Etcheverry twice to level the match before easing to victory.
“Tomorrow is one day off which I really need, I felt it physically today,” Sinner said.
“I had some chances in first set but couldn’t use them… I’m very happy with how I bounced back,” he added.
World number five Medvedev broke early in the first set but 36th-ranked Arnaldi kept his cool to break back in the sixth game on an unforced error from the Russian.
Arnaldi broke again in the 12th game after Medvedev hit long.
The Russian’s mood darkened under pressure from Arnaldi in the second set and he was slapped with two code violations and a point penalty after arguing with the umpire.
The 28-year-old former world number one recovered to take the match to a deciding set and came through after 2hr 44min.
“I was expecting him to play differently, he played very good,” Medvedev said of Arnaldi.
“To be honest in the first set I should have done better. The second and third were even closer… but at the end I’m happy to win.”
Play was only possible under the roof of the main court as rain forced matches on the outside courts to be postponed for the second day in a row.
A local jute trading market in Jamalpur district, Bangladesh. PHOTO: XINHUA
DHAKA (XINHUA) – Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves reached nearly USD21 billion by the end of September, the latest central bank data showed.
The Bangladesh Bank data showed the country’s foreign exchange reserves stood at USD20,795.44 million on September 30, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) calculation method.
The bank said gross reserves were USD24.74 billion by the end of September. The reserves calculated under the IMF’s balance of payments and investment position manual method were immediately usable, while gross reserves were also usable subject to the realisation of investment.
For a growing economy like Bangladesh, forex reserves equivalent to six months’ import bills are considered adequate.
With the existing reserves, however, central bank officials said Bangladesh is in a position to pay nearly four months’ import bills. Bangladesh’s gross foreign exchange reserves hit an all-time high of USD48 billion in August 2021.
In a bid to boost shrinking forex reserves, the central bank has taken various measures, including relaxed rules, to woo more remittances from millions of Bangladeshi people living and working abroad in recent years.
After remittances hit USD1.91 billion in July and USD2.22 billion in August, the figure of last month stood at USD2.40 billion, up over 80 per cent from a year earlier, official data showed.
A local jute trading market in Jamalpur district, Bangladesh. PHOTO: XINHUA
FRANKFURT (AFP) – The German government has slashed its forecast and now expects Europe’s largest economy to shrink for a second year running as hopes for a consumption-driven recovery fizzle out, media reported yesterday.
The Economy Ministry sees the German economy contracting by 0.2 per cent this year, a dramatic downgrade from its prior estimate of 0.3-per-cent growth, according to the Sueddeutsche newspaper.
Economy Minister Robert Habeck will officially unveil the latest forecasts on Wednesday.
Germany was the only major advanced economy to contract in 2023, hit hard by an industrial slowdown, cooling export demand and surging energy prices following the invasion of Ukraine.
Expectations that easing inflation and the first interest rate cuts by the European Central Bank would drive a recovery this year have however seemed increasingly out of reach in recent months, as demand at home and abroad remained weak.
Germany’s leading economic institutes have also recently downgraded their forecasts, and now expect the economy to either stagnate or shrink by 0.1 per cent this year. “Instead of gaining momentum, the economy continues to be characterised by a general reluctance by consumers to spend,” the Sueddeutsche said.
The economic headwinds come as Germany also faces structural challenges including increased competition from China, a shortage of skilled workers and a complex green transition.
Nevertheless, the German government was optimistic in its outlook for 2025, the newspaper reported.
Habeck’s Economy Ministry will on Wednesday say it now expects 1.1-per-cent growth next year, according to Sueddeutsche, up from one per cent in the previous forecast. By 2026, the economy is expected to expand 1.6 per cent.
The government’s proposed “growth initiative” has a key role to play in the recovery, Habeck told the Sueddeutsche.
The measures include tax relief, permanently reduced energy prices for industry, less red tape and incentives to keep older people in the workforce as well as attract foreign skilled workers.
“The German economy can grow significantly stronger in the next two years if the measures are fully implemented,” Habeck was quoted as saying.
Real Madrid's Lucas Vazquez checks on his teammate Dani Carvajal. PHOTO: AP
MADRID (AFP) – Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior strikes helped Real Madrid bounce back from their first defeat since January with a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga.
Los Blancos lost in the Champions League at Lille but are still unbeaten in the Spanish top flight and moved level with leaders Barcelona.
Valverde’s deflected effort and a rocket from Vinicius allowed Madrid to put a four-point gap between them and their third-placed opponents, who battled well but came up fractionally short in the capital.
Madrid’s victory was marred by a late injury to defender Dani Carvajal, who had to be taken off on a stretcher.
“It seems a serious knee injury, it will be looked at in the coming hours,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.
“The players are sad, worried, because something happened that happens a lot, because of the (busy) calendar, and it happened to a very, very important player for us.”
Ancelotti said Vinicius would also have medical tests after being taken off late on with discomfort in his shoulder and neck.
Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez checks on his teammate Dani Carvajal. PHOTO: AP
The Italian coach started Kylian Mbappe after the French striker had recovered from a thigh problem.
The former Paris Saint-Germain striker could only appear from the bench in Madrid’s disappointing midweek display.
Mbappe, who France have not selected for upcoming Nations League fixtures, was quiet at the Santiago Bernabeu as his team ground out victory with a determined, rather than inspiring, performance.
Madrid are still missing German midfielder Toni Kroos, although on this occasion he was watching on from a box.
Mbappe sent an early volley off-target from Luka Modric’s corner but it was midfield powerhouse Valverde who broke the deadlock after 14 minutes.
The Uruguayan’s drive from distance deflected off Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena and arced beyond the reach of goalkeeper Diego Conde.
The visitors, enjoying a strong start to the season under coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, came close when Nicolas Pepe’s header clipped the top of the crossbar.
Mbappe had one further chance, bursting into the area with his electric pace, but goalkeeper Conde managed to dispossess him with an outstretched leg. Villarreal appealed for a penalty early in the second half when Aurelien Tchouameni, playing at centre-back, pulled down Barry, but the French striker was offside.
Baena hit the side-netting of Andriy Lunin’s goal with a free-kick, nearly catching out the Ukrainian goalkeeper standing in for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
Vinicius flashed a shot narrowly wide, before his strike partner Mbappe was replaced with 20 minutes to go by Rodrygo Goes.
Brazil striker Vinicius, who is hoping to win a first Ballon d’Or later in October, netted the second with a superb effort from outside the area, which ripped into the top corner.
In stoppage time, Spanish right-back Carvajal suffered an injury while attempting to clear the ball under pressure from Yeremi Pino.
“In the end, the result’s a less important thing – Dani’s health is what matters,” Valverde told Real Madrid TV.
“The game was fine, it was neither very good or bad, it was what we had to do to win, two goals was enough.”
Villarreal defender Raul Albiol was also concerned about Carvajal.
“It looked bad… let’s hope it’s the least (damage) possible, because we all know how important he is for Real Madrid and Spanish football,” he said.
The centre-back said Madrid were efficient with their finishing and that made the difference.
“They have a lot of attacking punch and more or less with three chances they had two goals,” he said.
Earlier, nine-man Celta Vigo earned a 1-0 win at bottom-of-the-table Las Palmas.
The Canary Islanders were unable to record their first win of the season even after Ilaix Moriba and Iago Aspas’ red cards for Celta, who climbed to ninth thanks to Borja Iglesias’ goal.
Osasuna moved into fifth with a 1-1 draw at Getafe, while Espanyol beat Mallorca 2-1 and Rayo Vallecano won at Valladolid by the same score.
File photo shows the booth of BYD at the Automechanika in Germany. PHOTO: XINHUA
ATHENS (XINHUA) – Chinese electric vehicles stole the spotlight at Greece’s largest automotive exhibition which opened in Athens recently, reflecting the growing interest of Greeks in electromobility and models made in China.
BYD’s stand was the first at the entrance of the eight-day ‘Auto Athina 2024’ expo, which showcases over 200 new models – conventional running on fossil fuels, hybrid and fully electric – by some 40 exhibitors.
Visitors queued to explore the characteristics, design and innovative technologies Chinese electric car manufacturers have to offer.
“We are amazed with the quality of the car, it is a very robust car, feels great on the road,” Grigoris A, a visitor, told Xinhua after a test drive of a Chinese electric car. He is a big fan of electromobility, he said, adding, “What I have to say is there is no way back to ICE (internal combustion engine cars).”
Currently, the average age of cars circulating on Greece’s roads is 17.3 years and only one in 315 is fully electric, according to data released in August from the Greek Association of Motor Vehicle Importers Representatives (AMVIR).
However, in recent years the sales of electric cars are picking up and in July this year more electric cars than ever were sold in Greece on monthly level (882 units), reaching 7.22 per cent monthly market share and a 53.93-per-cent increase year-on-year.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) followed with 814 units (6.67 per cent monthly market share), while sales of all categories of traditional petrol and diesel cars dropped by some 30 per cent year-on-year.
More electric vehicles were sold across Greece last year (6,379) than in the previous four years combined (5,872), according to AMVIR data.
Greeks, like other consumers across the world, are now looking for more environmentally friendly means of transportation, weighing the advantages, such as low maintenance and running costs, and concerns of purchasing new energy vehicles, like battery autonomy.
As the price is a key factor in the decision of most Greeks, they take the step seizing incentives given by the Greek government.
Under a series of programmes implemented since 2022 Greek consumers receive subsidies of up to EUR22,500 (USD24,700), amounting to about 40 per cent of the cost of a new electric vehicle, making the switch more affordable.
“The subsidies are very good in Greece at the moment, but a main concern is infrastructure,” Evangelos Andreakos, one of the exhibition’s visitors, told Xinhua.
Currently driving a conventional car, Andreakos is thinking about buying an electric one, but is worried about battery autonomy while travelling in the countryside or a small Greek island, he said. In Greece there are now approximately 6,000 public charging points, mainly in major urban centres. The government’s target is to double the number in 2025 and increase them to over 100,000 in 2030.
According to Greece’s national energy and climate plan and the European Union’s Green Deal, the aim is to reduce the number of conventional cars on Greek roads over the next six years and increase to 30 per cent the share of electric passenger vehicles in new registrations by 2030.
“We must make our lives easier, reduce emissions and create a more beautiful world,” Panos Katris, another visitor of ‘Auto Athina 2024’ said.
Katris is not driving an electric car yet, but is planning to buy one soon and was checking Chinese cars.
Chinese automakers of electric vehicles started entering the Greek market about two years ago and currently Greek consumers can choose among some 10 Chinese electric car brands.
File photo shows the booth of BYD at the Automechanika in Germany. PHOTO: XINHUA
By command of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, it is hereby announced that His Majesty has consented to Noralinda binti Haji lbrahim, Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT), be promoted and appointed as Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MPRT.
The date of appointment is effective from 3rd of Rabiulakhir, 1446 Hijrah, corresponding to October 7.
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh during the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Preschool International Convention 2024 in Kuching, Sarawak. PHOTO: MOE
Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh attended the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Preschool International Convention 2024 at The Waterfront Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak, on Saturday.
Themed ‘Inclusivity and Diversity in Early Childhood Education’, the convention focused on three key objectives. They were enhancing educators’ knowledge and skills to address challenges in early childhood care and education; providing a platform for educators, caregivers and parents to associate and collaborate; and creating opportunities for participants to share experiences and best practices fostering a culture of continuous learning for improvement in the field.
Sarawak Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah officiated the event which brought together representatives from the Sultanate, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
Some 305 attended in person, while another 620 joined online.
The minister also visited the One Stop Early Intervention Centre (OSEIC), which provides early interventions for babies and young children diagnosed with autism, Down syndrome or other learning disabilities before they enter preschool. During the visit, the centre discussed its Early Intervention Programme (EIP), which offers educational and therapy support services to help children develop essential skills and reach their full potential.
Permanent Secretary (Core Education) at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Dr Shamsiah Zuraini Kanchanawati binti Haji Tajuddin accompanied the minister, along with four Bruneian preschool teachers and an officer from the Early Childhood Education Unit of the Department of Schools at the MoE.
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Minister of Education Datin Seri Setia Dr Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh during the opening ceremony of the Sarawak Preschool International Convention 2024 in Kuching, Sarawak. PHOTO: MOEPHOTO: MOEPHOTO: MOE
Az-Zain Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd gained approval to provide umrah packages using a Saudi Arabia tourist visa, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Haj Management Department.
This brings the total number of approved travel agencies to 30. – Azlan Othman
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Jack Simpson during his visit for the Brunei Coffee Convention 2024. PHOTO: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Jack Simpson from Axil Coffee, crowned recently the 2024 Australian Barista Champion by the Australian Specialty Coffee Association, visited Brunei Darussalam for the Brunei Coffee Convention 2024, in conjunction with International Coffee Day.
The annual event celebrates local and global coffee culture, bringing together coffee lovers, industry experts and international guests. Simpson’s attendance offered a unique chance for coffee enthusiasts to connect with a top barista.
During his trip, the two-time champion explored Brunei’s growing coffee scene via the Brunei Coffee Trail, featuring 50 top cafes near landmarks including the Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque and mangroves.
Simpson said, “It’s been incredible to see how Brunei is embracing specialty coffee. The Coffee Trail is a fantastic way to promote local cafes and connect coffee culture with the country’s rich heritage and natural beauty.
“I’ve enjoyed visiting these cafes and discovering how local baristas are pushing the boundaries in coffee craftsmanship.”
His visit also strengthened ties between Brunei and Australia, a nation known for its exceptional coffee culture. Australia’s influence is helping to enhance the Sultanate’s hospitality industry and develop a more dynamic coffee scene, highlighting potential collaboration in coffee, tourism and hospitality between the two countries.
The initiative also promotes sustainable tourism by blending cultural appreciation with support for local businesses.
ABOVE & BELOW: Photos show Jack Simpson during his visit for the Brunei Coffee Convention 2024. PHOTO: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTPHOTO: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTPHOTO: TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
