1,147 fish species threatened with extinction: IUCN

 More than 1,000 freshwater fish species are threatened with extinction, reflecting the strain on global water resources, an updated global “Red List” of endangered species showed Tuesday.

The list by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the most respected inventory of biodiversity covering more than 47,000 of the world’s species.

A International Union for Conservation of Nature photo of a Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis) which once numbered at least 17,000 at the Kihansi Falls in Tanzania, and has now joined the list of creatures which are extinct in the wild.

Scientists looked at 3,120 freshwater fish this year, 510 more than a year ago. They found that 1,147, or a third, are now threatened with extinction.

“Creatures living in freshwater have long been neglected,” said Jean-Christophe Vie, deputy head of species programme at the IUCN.

“This year we have again added a large number of them to the IUCN Red List and are confirming the high levels of threat to many freshwater animals and plants.

“This reflects the state of our previous water resources. There is now an urgency to pursue our effort but more importantly, to start using this information to move towards a wise use of water resources.”

The scientists also added 1,360 species of dragonflies and damselflies to the Red List, and found that out of 1,989 in all, 261 were at risk of disappearing.

Dragonflies provided a good gauge of the state of freshwater ecosystems as “many are very sensitive” to changes, said Vie.

“We found that they are highly threatened wherever we looked,” he said, noting that water resources were under strain due to pollution and intensive usage.

Meanwhile, the tiny Kihansi Spray Toad, which once numbered at least 17,000 at the Kihansi Falls in Tanzania, joined the list of creatures which are now extinct in the wild.

“Its decline is due to the construction of a dam upstream of the Kihansi Falls that removed 90 percent of the original water flow to the gorge,” said the IUCN in a statement.

Overall, this year’s survey found that over a third, or 17,291 species out of 47,677 assessed are now threatened with extinction.

Last year, the Red List examined 44,838 species and found that a similar proportion (16,298 species) were close to becoming extinct.

“What we haven’t got this year is good news,” said Vie.

The overall situation may be worse than reflected according to the IUCN, since data was lacking for 14 percent of the species surveyed.

In addition, the survey only covers a fraction of the world’s species.

“These results are just the tip of the iceberg. We have only managed to assess 47,663 species so far; there are many more millions out there which could be under serious threat,” said Craig Hilton-Taylor, manager of the IUCN Red List unit.

The environmental group WWF also urged action, saying the latest Red List update “should cause alarm over the continuing unprecedented loss of species and the failure so far of mechanisms to arrest biodiversity loss.”

“As crucial climate talks in Copenhagen draw near and with the International Year of Biodiversity around the corner, this is a wake-up call for world leaders,” said Amanda Nickson, Director of the WWF International Species Programme.

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Washington says talks to replace START 1 to continue in Moscow

Washington says its U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones’ primary aim of visiting Russia is to negotiate a new nuclear arms cuts treaty to replace START 1, RIA-Novosti quoted a spokesman for the White House as saying.

“They’re going to, I think, primarily to continue our discussions on renewing our START treaty… continue to make progress and get an agreement on something that we can sign this year to further cut the number of nuclear weapons that each side has,” Robert Gibbs said.

The Kremlin said on Saturday the Russian and U.S. presidents hoped a treaty on nuclear arms cuts to replace START 1 would be ready by early December.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jones is expected to be in Moscow on October 28.

The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the pillar of Russian-US disarmament commitments, expires on December 5.

The latest round of talks took place in Geneva two weeks ago.

The outlines of the new pact were agreed during the presidents’ bilateral summit in Moscow in July and include cutting their countries’ nuclear arsenals to 1,500-1,675 operational warheads and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000.

START 1 obliges the countries to reduce nuclear warheads to 6,000 and their delivery vehicles to 1,600 each. In 2002, a follow-up agreement on strategic offensive arms reduction was concluded in Moscow. The document, known as the Moscow Treaty, envisioned cuts to 1,700-2,200 warheads by December 2012.

 

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Southern province plans 1,500 bridges

Southern province plans 1,500 bridges

Ca Mau Province authorities have approved a plan to build 1,588 rural bridges at a total cost of VND453 billion (US$26.7 million) in 2009-10.

The bridges will help provide overland access to rural roads, residential areas, schools and health clinics, limiting waterway traffic and gradually eliminating the need for students to travel to school by river.

Nhan Dan (The People)

Just 1% of contraband cigarettes nabbed

Only seven million packs of cigarettes smuggled into Viet Nam are being seized and destroyed each year, accounting for a mere 1 per cent, it is estimated.

A recent study by WHO said around 5 million people in the world are killed by smoking every year, and the number is expected to rise to 8 million by 2020. In Viet Nam, around 40,000 fatalities are thought to result from smoking annually.

Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated sai Gon)

Crackdown on petrol adulteration

HCM City is drafting regulations to slap severe penalties on petrol stations that sell adulterated fuel.

The penalties will include increased fines and suspension of licences for up to six months.

Tuoi Tre (Youth)

Youth Union to enlarge talent fund

The HCM City unit of the Communist Youth Union plans to enlarge its Talented Youth Fund to provide more assistance to talented people up to age 35.

The assistance will be provided to students, teachers, and those involved in arts and culture, sports and physical culture, and science and technology. The fund, established in 1993, has funded 500 young talents, so far.

Nguoi Lao Dong (The Labourer)

Quang Nam EZ promoted in Seoul

A seminar on promoting investment in Quang Nam Province and its Chu Lai Open Economic Zone held in Seoul, South Korea, earlier this week saw more than 60 businesses participating. It aimed to provide information to Korean investors and businesses about opportunities for investing in the central province.

Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times)

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Southern province plans 1,500 bridges

Southern province plans 1,500 bridges

Ca Mau Province authorities have approved a plan to build 1,588 rural bridges at a total cost of VND453 billion (US$26.7 million) in 2009-10.

The bridges will help provide overland access to rural roads, residential areas, schools and health clinics, limiting waterway traffic and gradually eliminating the need for students to travel to school by river.

Nhan Dan (The People)

Just 1% of contraband cigarettes nabbed

Only seven million packs of cigarettes smuggled into Viet Nam are being seized and destroyed each year, accounting for a mere 1 per cent, it is estimated.

A recent study by WHO said around 5 million people in the world are killed by smoking every year, and the number is expected to rise to 8 million by 2020. In Viet Nam, around 40,000 fatalities are thought to result from smoking annually.

Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated sai Gon)

Crackdown on petrol adulteration

HCM City is drafting regulations to slap severe penalties on petrol stations that sell adulterated fuel.

The penalties will include increased fines and suspension of licences for up to six months.

Tuoi Tre (Youth)

Youth Union to enlarge talent fund

The HCM City unit of the Communist Youth Union plans to enlarge its Talented Youth Fund to provide more assistance to talented people up to age 35.

The assistance will be provided to students, teachers, and those involved in arts and culture, sports and physical culture, and science and technology. The fund, established in 1993, has funded 500 young talents, so far.

Nguoi Lao Dong (The Labourer)

Quang Nam EZ promoted in Seoul

A seminar on promoting investment in Quang Nam Province and its Chu Lai Open Economic Zone held in Seoul, South Korea, earlier this week saw more than 60 businesses participating. It aimed to provide information to Korean investors and businesses about opportunities for investing in the central province.

Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times)

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Gold reaches new high of $1,221 a tael

HA NOI — Gold price reached a record high of VND21.86 million (US$1,221) per tael (around 1.75 ounces) yesterday in the domestic market as the global gold price hit $1,000 an ounce for the first time in six months in a sign that investors remain concerned about the sustainability of global economic recovery.

Yesterday, most gold shops lifted their gold price by roughly VND60,000 ($3.35) -VND100,000 ($5.59) per tael over the Monday morning price.

Phu Quy SJC yesterday bought the precious metal at VND21.85 million ($1,221) and sold at VND21.90 million ($1,223) per tael. Meanwhile, Phu Nhuan-PNJ and Bao Tin Minh Chau listed their buying and selling prices at VND21.85 million ($1,221) and VND21.92 ($1,224) million, respectively.

Gold trading on the ACB Gold Trading Floor yesterday was also up VND100,000 ($5.59) per tael to VND21.32 million ($1,191).

Currently, the price for a tael of gold in the domestic market is roughly VND100,000 ($5.59) lower than the global price.

Yesterday most gold shops lifted the gap between the buy and sell price to range from VND70,000 ($3.9) – VND100,000 ($5.59) per tael as compared to VND50,000 ($2.8) on Monday.

A staff member at the Phu Nhuan-PNJ Company said, “The domestic gold market during the first two days of the week was hotter than the past few weeks because more people were selling.”

Phu Nhuan-PNJ said that it bought roughly 4,000 tael and sold 1,000 on Monday.

However, the staff member said, “Major investors sold with an attitude of indifference while waiting for further price hikes. Most investors expected the price to pass VND22 million ($1,229).”

In the global market, spot gold and US gold futures both rose as high as $1,000 an ounce, the strongest since February, with both simmering economic worries and longer term inflation concerns driving the gains. But both soon fell back.

Analysts warned volume was thin and that momentum could soon wane, with a tendency of big Asian consumers to sell into rising prices.

They forecast that by the end of the year the gold price would be lower, probably down to around $950 an ounce. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Tea industry brews up $1 billion plan

Tea industry brews up $1 billion plan

Viet Nam News reporter Thu Tra spoke to Nguyen Kim Phong, chairman of the Viet Nam Tea Association (Vitas), about measures to help the tea industry ensure sustainable development as well as fulfill the target of US$1 billion in revenue by 2020, despite the effects of the global financial crisis on tea exports.

Could you tell me about the tea export turnover in 2008?

The tea industry has encountered difficulties in exports due to the global economic crisis. High inflation has led consumers in many countries to curb their spending. Thus the volume of Vietnamese tea exports (not including small shipments) may hit only 110,000 tonnes this year, just equal to last year’s figure. However, this year’s tea export value is estimated to reach about $150 million, $6 million higher than the previous year’s turnover. Even though that isn’t a high figure, I still see it as a good sign for the industry as tea quality has been improved, resulting in higher export prices. The tea sector has targeted an increase in export turnover by improving the quality of its products.

What is the biggest barrier to local tea processing enterprises in the current difficult economic context?

The country is home to 700 tea processing enterprises and the majority of them are small- and medium-sized. Capital shortages are seen as the biggest difficulty for these firms. Due to a lack of mortgaged assets, they often fail to obtain loans from banks. The association has petitioned the Government to extend loan terms and reduce interest rates to assist tea processors in accessing bank loans to have capital for production and technical innovation.

In addition to capital to invest in production and technology, the association has also called for State investment in raw materials, transport, irrigation and electric systems.

In my opinion, the difficult situation will not last long because the world economy will be improved sooner or later, thus tea processing enterprises should improve their internal capacity to catch future export opportunities. In addition to foreign markets, enterprises should also increase their revenue from the domestic market by studying the taste of local consumers.

From your point of view, can the tea industry meet its target of $1 billion in revenue by 2020, with $800-900 million coming from exports?

This is a big goal, but I don’t think it’s impossible. Viet Nam’s land and climate make it uniquely suitable for the development of high-quality tea. It is the fifth largest country in terms of tea output and exports in the world, and presently 35 provinces in the country, covering 128,000ha, are involved in tea production. Vietnamese tea is marketed in about 100 countries and territories. The national trademark, CheViet has been registered in 73 countries and regions.

But in order to reach the goal, we need a specific plan. The top priority will be given to improving production capacity and quality of tea produced, and organising training courses on tea cultivation techniques for farmers.

Focusing on technical innovation and diversifying tea products are also necessary. By 2020, the tea sector aims to increase the quantity of processed tea to 50 per cent, from the current figure of 10 per cent of total annual tea exports.

I think personnel training is also an important factor in the tea sector, as it is facing a serious shortage of skilled labour. Thus, the sector really needs financial assistance from the Government.

Furthermore, the sector must continue developing present markets including Pakistan, Taiwan, Russia, Germany, mainland China, Indonesia, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and the Netherlands, while seeking additional markets.

The association has also submitted 12 trade promotion plans to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to join the National Trade Promotion Programme in 2009. If approved, that would be a good opportunity for the tea sector to continue advertising it trademark and products in the global market. Introducing the national tea brand name via international trade fairs and exhibitions and Vietnamese commercial offices overseas is also a good way for the sector to increase exports. —

Firms to pay big dividends to avoid January 1 tax changes

HA NOI — Companies are in a race against time to pay dividends and issue bonus shares before the new personal income tax law takes effect on January 1. The new law includes provisions to tax dividend income.

They are seeking to pay out profits to shareholders even at a time when the global economic turmoil is driving down profitability and share prices.

Many firms are also planning to advance some cash dividend payments for next year, to enjoy a loophole in the tax law that exempts from tax any dividend received prior to January 1, 2009. To do so, they are announcing particularly large dividends to be issued before the end of this year.

Among the companies that have announced larger-than-usual dividends are Nhi Hiep Brick and Tile Co, planning to pay a 30-per-cent payout; Cuu Long Fish Co, readying a 20-per-cent payout; and Binh Thanh Import-Export Product and Trade Co and Asia Commercial Bank, both expecting to shell out a 25-per-cent dividend.

Independent stock market analyst Huy Nam said high cash dividend payments like these, issued during rough economic times, were being paid solely to help shareholders avoid the new income tax. A company with normal business performance would not generally pay dividends at such a high rate, particularly when cash has become scarce during the global credit crunch.

But Phan Anh Tuan, head of the analysis division of Vincom Securities, disagreed, saying that listed companies often increased their dividend payments with a view of boosting shareholder confidence in future business performance..

A company that reduced or stopped paying dividends during market turbulence might signal to shareholders that they were in financial difficulties, Tuan said, although he admitted that high dividend payments would also divert capital from new investment or expansion.

Financial reports of listed companies in the third quarter of this year showed that liabilities stood at a ratio of 150 per cent over equity, yet many firms were still choosing to pay dividends. Many would then be forced to seek loans at high interest rates for new capital investment, with a long-term detrimental effect on profits.

The deputy director of one securities company who asked to remain anonymous said that many companies had plans to pay dividends this year, some as high as 50-70 per cent.

The effect of such announcements was to discourage shareholders from selling off shares at a time when share prices were extremely depressed, he said.

SJC Securities director Huynh Anh Tuan also warned companies against paying dividends in the form of bonus shares, as dilution of shares was currently not a desirable option.

But some stock analysts were arguing that the income tax should not be levied on bonus shares on existing shareholdings. Companies needed to be encouraged to reinvest in production, business expansion and job creation by using retained earnings, they have argued. —

Russia contributes 1 million USD to fund with ASEAN

Hanoi (VNA) – Russia has contributed another 500,000 USD to the ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Partnership Financial Fund (DPFF), bringing its total amount of money to the DPFF to 1 million USD, said ASEAN Secretariat.

ASEAN’s Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said on the ASEAN Secretariat’s website that the joint activities to be conducted under the DPFF will “help to promote better relations and mutual understanding between ASEAN and Russia in a broad range of areas and increase people-to-people contacts”.

The DPFF was set up by the Russian government to facilitate cooperation between ASEAN and Russia in areas of science and technology, trade, culture, education, energy and others.

Its establishment is in accordance to an Agreement on Economic and Development Cooperation signed between the governments of ASEAN and the Russian government in 2005.

A Roadmap on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Programme of Action to promote cooperation between ASEAN and Russia (2005-2015) was adopted at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences +1 Session with Russia in July this year in Singapore.-

Vietnam earns over 1 billion USD from rubber exports

Hanoi (VNA) – Rubber exports have fetched more than 1 billion USD in the first eight months of the year, up 30 percent year-on-year despite a 10 percent decrease in volume, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said at the current good price in the world market, rubber export turnover can reach 1.7 billion USD in 2008, against the targeted 1.45 billion USD.
The price of Vietnam’s export rubber in early August increased by 181 USD from last month to 3,012 USD per tonne.

Vietnam’s rubber is shipped to 40 countries and territories worldwide, including China , the Republic of Korea , Russia, Taiwan, Japan and Germany.-

China plans first 1 mln kw air-cooling systems at clean-coal plants

China will be the first country to install million-kilowatt (kw) air-cooling systems in ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants, Xinhua news agency reported.

The cooling facilities, which were entirely domestically designed and built, will be part of the Huadian Lingwu power plant project, located in the northwestern coal-rich and arid Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

The project will have two ultra super-critical generating units of 1 million kw each, which will start up around 2011, Xinhua reported, citing an official with the China Huadian Corp. China Huadian is a state-owned power generation company.

Using this cooling technique will save an estimated 70 percent of the water that would have been used in conventional water-cooled power units. In this case, it means 24 million tones of water annually, enough for the consumption of nearly 800,000 people for a year, according to Xinhua.-