Vietcombank Securities to issue $8.89b of bonds

 Vietcombank Securities Co Ltd (VCBS) plans to issue 200,000 bond notes to 100 investors on February 15. The face value of the bond has been set at VND1 million (US$44.44).

VN issues resolution to boost competitiveness

 The Government is determined to take drastic measures to improve business climate and competiveness indicators to reach the average level of ASEAN 4 countries by the end of this year.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 8/2

 Hoa Phat to build iron and steel production complex, Export businesses sanguine, make frenetic start to 2017, National retail trade sales see increase in January, Cost estimates for construction projects to be slashed

Thailand invests $7.7 billion in Vietnam

 According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency (FIA), Thailand has invested US$7.7 billion in 440 projects in Viet Nam to become the country’s tenth largest investor.

Vietjet gets approval for HOSE listing

 The HCM Stock Exchange (HOSE) has approved the listing of Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company’s 300 million shares on the southern bourse.

PM turns focus on hidden assets

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has directed authorities to find the assets of suspects in corruption cases in order to prevent them from being hidden and to help in executing judgments against the accused.

Bank chairman on trial for power abuse

Seventeen former leaders of Mekong Housing Bank and Mekong Housing Bank Securities Company-including former bank management board chairman Huynh Nam Dung-will be prosecuted for abuse of power and irresponsibility

First Bulgarian Rose Festival in Hanoi to open Mar. 3

 Bulgaria is well known primarily for the Black Sea and its roses, especially its famous rose oil.

Local firms urged to dive into global value chain

 Domestic firms should make great efforts in the competition with foreign invested firms to contribute more actively to the global value chain and participate more effectively in the world’s production network, experts said.

South Korea to vaccinate all cattle against foot-and-mouth disease

 South Korea's agriculture ministry said on Tuesday it will carry out a nationwide vaccination for cattle against foot-and-mouth disease by Thursday in an attempt to prevent further spread of the virus.

Vietnam economy to grow 5.1% a year till 2050

 A report by the prestigious global accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCooper (PWC) predicts continued economic growth for Vietnam until 2050 period, with annual GDP increase of 5.1%, on average.

Lan Ha Bay – marine tourist magnet of Vietnam

 Located in the east of Cat Ba Island, the northern city of Hai Phong, Lan Ha Bay has become a tourist magnet thanks to its unique beauty.

VN doctors perform first paired-kidney exchange transplant

 Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City have successfully performed the country’s first living paired-kidney exchange transplant.

Vietnam to host 2018 AFC U23 qualification

 Vietnam will host a group of the qualifying round of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in July, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has confirmed.

Vietnam beat Malaysia 3-0 in friendly

 Vietnam made a promising start to the Year of the Rooster with a 3-0 victory over Malaysia in a friendly match in HCM City on February 7.

Asia shares down, euro pressured on Trump, European political woes

 Asian shares dipped from four-month highs on Wednesday and the euro was pressured as lingering political and economic uncertainty in the United States and Europe sapped investor confidence.

175 new projects get licences in January

 As of January 20, 175 new projects were licenced with a total investment of 1.244 billion USD, a rise of 23 percent over the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency.

Korean firm to build $1.85 bln thermal power plant in central Vietnam

 The Korea Western Power Co. (KOWEPO) of the Republic of Korea plans to construct a 1,200MW coal-fired power plant in the central province of Quang Tri in 2018.

Australia relaxes ban on shrimp import

 The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources on February 6 announced a relaxation of the ban on importing shrimp, cooked or uncooked prawn meat products, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia. 

The Government's regular meeting for January

 The Government has detailed tasks for ministries in a recently issued resolution, pointing out the focuses of their activities at the start of 2017.

Education administration goes online

 By 2020, all state governing bodies in education and training and other educational institutions hope to perform administrative activities online.

Nearly 40 percent of watercraft remain unregistered

 Only 62 percent of the 240,000 watercraft operating in the country are registered and quality verified, the Vietnam Register Agency has reported.

Prehistoric relics found inside volcano caves in Dak Nong

 Scientists have unearthed a large number of prehistoric artifacts inside volcano caves at the Krong No volcanic cave geo-park in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong.

Canada backs Vietnam to fulfil its role as APEC 2017 host

 Canada will support Vietnam in successfully organising the upcoming APEC event, said Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Ping Kitnikone.

Lao PM affirms determination to boost ties with Vietnam

 Party General Secretary Nguyen PhuTrong held a reception in Hanoi on February 7 for Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.