(Chinhphu.vn) - The Minister of Industry and Trade has recently decided to apply temporary safeguard measures to imported long steel and steel billets into Vietnam.

Based on preliminary investigation results, the temporary safeguard measures imposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade include a relative tax rate of 23.3% for steel billets and 14.2% for long steel, with a maximum duration of 200 days.

Regarding goods originating from least developed countries, if the volume of their imported goods into Vietnam does not exceed 3% of the total investigated imports and their total imports to Vietnam are below 9% of the total investigated imports, they will be exempt from the safeguard measures.

The decision to apply temporary safeguard measures on imported long steel and steel billets into Vietnam was made in response to large steel enterprises simultaneously sending petitions to the Prime Minister regarding the influx of cheap steel billets into Vietnam, causing severe damage to domestic producers.

Most recently, Vietnam Steel Corporation (VNSteel) and the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA) have once again sent a petition to the Prime Minister, stating that without timely preventive measures, the volume of steel billets imported into Vietnam may reach 4-5 million tons in 2016. With this situation, Vietnam's steel billet manufacturers may face the risk of closure.

Vietnam Participates in FOODEX 2016 in Japan

On March 8, Vietnam participated in the Food and Beverage International Exhibition, FOODEX 2016, held at the Makuhari Messe exhibition center in Chiba province, Japan.

Vietnam had 21 enterprises participating in this fair, representing various economic entities (LLC, Joint-stock companies, etc.) from regions with strengths in exporting agricultural and aquatic products, food, and beverages throughout the country, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nghe An, Bac Giang, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Phu Quoc - Kien Giang, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Tien Giang, Lam Dong, Binh Duong, Binh Thuan, etc.

Vietnamese products displayed at the Vietnam Pavilion were diverse, including specialty fruits, vegetables, seafood, processed cashews, rice-based processed food, Phu Quoc specialty sauces, various cakes, and fruit-based drinks, milk, and ice cream. The products were carefully selected and beautifully displayed to attract visitors. Enterprises also prepared product samples for visitors to taste and demonstrated food preparation right at the fair.

The theme of the Vietnam Pavilion aimed to showcase Vietnam's agricultural and aquatic products - distinctive, clean, and safe.

FOODEX 2016 exhibition saw the participation of more than 3,000 enterprises from 83 countries and territories, with an estimated attendance of about 90,000 visitors for exploration, trading, and contract signing.