The draft law on special administrative and economic units, also known as special economic zones, will not be put on the agenda of a National Assembly Standing Committee session set for August 8 to 13.

 The total consumption of the biofuel E5 in the first half of the year saw a 31.18% increase year-on-year, reaching some 1.78 million cubic meters.

Domestic wood processing companies have overtaken FDI enterprises in terms of export revenue. 

 Pepper prices in the Central Highlands have plunged to VND48,000-49,000 per kilogram, the lowest price point over the last decade, reported news website Vietnamplus.

 The National Center for Hydro Meteorological Forecasting issued its latest weather forecast this morning that a low-pressure system is heading to the East Sea.

 The total number of public holidays next year is set at 21 days, announced the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs on August 6.

 The Prime Minister has approved the restructuring plans for five of the six major State-owned enterprises (SOEs), and two large corporations under his jurisdiction, in the first half this year.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the sustainable smart city development plan for the 2018-2025 period and beyond towards 2030 with a view to improving the lives of city residents.

 HSDC Maps app provides updates on flooding around Hanoi and suggests alternative routes.

Co-working spaces in Vietnam only account for 0.5 percent of the office-for-lease market, but are becoming more popular. 

 Vietnam has contributed to the diversity of the International Law Commission (ILC) via information and arguments towards increasing benefit balance, objectivity, fairness and justice, said an official. 

 The real estate market is predicted to witness the most merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in 2018.

 In anticipation of future growth potential, Indian businesses are venturing further into investments in pharmaceutical production in Vietnam, with more fresh projects in the pipeline.

 The increasing trade friction between the US and China will likely prompt more South Korean and Japanese firms to come to Vietnam and use Vietnam, instead of China, as a key market to produce and export their products to the US.

 The Asia-Pacific private equity industry has achieved its best all-around performance to date and is setting new records, while challenges are looming on the horizon.

 Japanese investors are increasingly striking up deals with Vietnamese partners to unlock new business opportunities. 

 Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) will conduct its initial public offering (IPO) to divest 488.818 million shares via a bid with the starting price of VND10,000 per share. The auction is expected to be organised on September 5.

 Vietnam’s most valuable brands in 2018

 The Ministry of Transport has proposed a new regulation on taxi management in which Grab Car is not listed as a local taxi service but e-contracted passenger transportation.

 The US-China relationship is not a story of only two countries; it also involves other countries and international institutions such the as World Trade Organisation. — Photo indiatvnews.com