The CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered, shared his view on Vietnam's significance for US businesses and why Vietnam is potential for foreign investors. Vietnam has gone from being a frontier economy in ASEAN to a flourishing, cost-effective industrial nation. Firms and investors looking for new markets to grow, source, or manufacture their products – especially in Asia – should consider Vietnam’s long-term potential and stay updated on its opportunities. Steven Cranwell, CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered. Photo: Standard Chartered In recent years, Vietnam has benefited from the trade tensions between the US and China. With US companies adopting a ‘China plus one’ approach to their supply chains, the percentage of exports from Vietnam to the US has risen by approximately nine percent between 2018 and 2021. It is, however, important to note that Vietnam has been an alternative to China … [Read more...] about The significance of Vietnam for US businesses and why they should take notice: Standard Chartered
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Developments for Vietnam to watch in midst of bank crisis
In 2008, the US investment bank Bear Stearns, on the verge of collapse, had to be rescued by J.P. Morgan. This marked the beginning of the global financial crisis of 2008, which sent the global economy into a deep recession and caused significant economic damage, including massive employment losses. Patrick Lenain, senior associate at the Council on Economic Policies Today, several banks are once again in trouble. As of March 22, four large banks were in distress. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a $212 billion US bank specialising in tech startups, collapsed when it was unable to meet deposit withdrawal requests and had to be taken over by federal regulators. A few days later, Signature Bank, another midsized US bank with assets of $110 billion, also suffered a severe liquidity crisis and was seized by federal regulators. This was followed by First Republic Bank with assets of $205 billion, which was hit by rating downgrades and a tumbling share price and had to be … [Read more...] about Developments for Vietnam to watch in midst of bank crisis
Japanese cultural festival to open on March 23
Sakura trees and branches will be exhibited in downtown Hanoi at the Japanese Culture Exchange Festival. (vietnamplus.vn) The event, which will take place at Ly Thai To Garden byHoan Kiem lake, aims to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Vietnam–Japan diplomatic ties this year. The event also includes various cultural exchanges, such as the introduction of the Japanese tea culture, chess, Kendama folk games and Japanese cuisine at nearby Hanoi Children’s Palace, besides a Yosakoi dance performance by 15 teams on Dinh Tien Hoang and Ly Thai To streets. The event will also host various Vietnamese traditional arts such as ca tru (ceremonial singing), hat xam (blind busker’s singing) and folk dances. Further, the Hanoi authorities and Japanese partners will hold a meeting to discuss tourism, health, education and economic investment. More than 20 food stalls will be installed at nearby Hanoi Children’s Palace to introduce Vietnamese and Japanese food between March 23 and 25. … [Read more...] about Japanese cultural festival to open on March 23
Investors turn caution after GDP data, liquidity falls sharply
A customer chooses Masan's products at a supermarket. The company's shares jumped 1.55 per cent on Wednesday, supporting the rally trend. — Photo courtesy of Masan Stock markets were mixed on Wednesday with the VN-Index extending its rallies, but gains were capped as investors were more cautious after GSO had revealed data showing that the economy grew modestly in the first quarter. The market's benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) rose 2.04 points, or 0.19 per cent, to close Wednesday at 1,056.33 points. The index inched higher, despite the fact that there were more stocks performing poorly, thanks to gains of large-cap stocks, and marked its seven days of the rally. On the southern bourse, 128 stocks increased while 176 ticker symbols went down. Liquidity fell sharply compared to Tuesday's trading day, of which the trading value of HoSE dropped by nearly 26 per cent over the previous session to more than VND8.3 trillion (US$353.4 million). The … [Read more...] about Investors turn caution after GDP data, liquidity falls sharply
Positive real estate signs march ahead
The market in new urban areas is set to become more active Photo: Le Toan March has seen a flurry of activity in welcoming quality real estate products in Vietnam. Singaporean group CapitaLand Development, saw all of [email protected] West Lake booked up after being introduced to the market on March 19. The Elysian project developed by Gamuda Land is also reportedly being well observed by buyers due to the prestige of the developer, the good location, and high quality of the project. Domestic groups are also joining the rush. Nam Long Investment JSC said that the business is implementing a series of plans in 2023, in which priority is being given to ventures in large urban areas such as Waterpoint, Mizuki Park, Nam Long Can Tho, Nam Long Dai Phuoc, Akari City, and Izumi City. Meanwhile, Hung Thinh Land introduced the 9X An Suong project in the northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. In the southern province of Binh Duong, Phu Dong Group is about to open for sale an apartment project … [Read more...] about Positive real estate signs march ahead
Vietnam’s first blockchain peer-to-peer energy trading project launched
Nalin Wickramasingher, Powerledger's BD and Sales Executive, and Le Thi Phuong Cam (L), EVNCPC's Deputy General Director, announced the partnership. (Photo courtesy of Powerledger) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Australian energy trading technology company, Powerledger, on March 28 announced it’s partnering with Vietnam Electricity Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC) to launch Vietnam's first peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading project at the Australia-Vietnam Forum on Energy Transition. The initial 6-month trial will see Powerledger’s technology used by so-called “prosumers” with rooftop solar in central Da Nang city and Quang Nam province to sell electricity directly to consumers. “This project is a major step for Vietnam. It will showcase how, with the right technology, issues of intermittency and grid congestion can be overcome whilst still growing renewables. Everyone on both sides of the partnership is looking forward to the results,” said Powerledger Chairman Dr Jemma Green. … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s first blockchain peer-to-peer energy trading project launched
The significance of Vietnam for US businesses and why they should take notice
Vietnam has benefited from the trade tensions between the United States and China. With US companies adopting a China-plus-one approach to their supply chains, the percentage of exports from Vietnam to the US has risen by approximately nine per cent between 2018 and 2021. Steven Cranwell, CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas It is, however, important to note that Vietnam was an alternative to China for general manufacturing in Asia long before the pandemic, and its long-term prospects remain bright. Despite the uncertainty of global economic conditions, many remain confident in Vietnam’s outlook. The country’s business-friendly atmosphere, its strategic location as a gateway to other fast-growing markets, the plentiful supply of skilled labour, and the competitive costs and incentives are compelling propositions for companies looking to expand their manufacturing in the region. While Vietnam has yet to host an Apple plant, the country is already home to … [Read more...] about The significance of Vietnam for US businesses and why they should take notice
Bringing the standards and quality of Japanese retail brands to Vietnam
This year, difficulties from within the economy will continue to affect the retail industry and demand is expected to continue to decline. How does AEON Vietnam think 2023 will shape up in general? Furusawa Yasuyuki, general director of AEON Vietnam Although there are many difficulties, I think the economic growth rate in 2023 will remain at a stable level, reaching the growth target set by the Vietnamese government. However, recently, rising raw material prices have significantly affected the lives of consumers. This will also be one of the factors affecting consumption trends in 2023. Besides that, due to the influence of inflation in Europe and the US, the number of export orders from Vietnam decreased sharply. Some businesses are forced to cut labour and reduce working hours, greatly affecting the economy and the lives of workers - as well as the consumers. I think, within in the first half of this year, there will still be many difficulties and those may take … [Read more...] about Bringing the standards and quality of Japanese retail brands to Vietnam
Scientists have bone to pick with T-Rex skeleton set to sell for millions
A curator gingerly fastens a pointy claw bone with a thin metal wire, completing perhaps the world's biggest construction kit -- reassembling a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus-Rex called Trinity. The huge skeleton will go under the hammer in a rare auction in Switzerland next month after being sent to Zurich from the United States in nine giant crates. But palaeontologist Thomas Holtz -- who is against the sale of such specimens -- told AFP that it was "misleading" and "inappropriate... to combine multiple real bones from different individuals to create a single skeleton." The Swiss sale comes only four months after Christie's withdrew another T-Rex skeleton days before it was to go under the hammer in Hong Kong after doubts were reported about parts of it. Trinity, the Swiss T-Rex, is made up of bones from three dinosaurs excavated between 2008 and 2013 from the Hell Creek and Lance Creek formations in Montana and Wyoming. The two sites are known for the discoveries of … [Read more...] about Scientists have bone to pick with T-Rex skeleton set to sell for millions
SBV’s draft regulations encourage banks to support corporate bond market
A bank employee handles cash. The corporate bond market has flourished with an estimated annual issuance value of over VND500 trillion (US$21.9 billion) in 2021. — VNA/VNS Photo The State Bank of Viet Nam has unveiled a preliminary revision to Circular 16, requesting public input on proposed modifications that would permit credit institutions to procure corporate bonds as a means of boosting liquidity in the corporate bond market. The revision corresponds to Decree 08 of the Government, which went into effect on March 5 and aims to address bottlenecks in the corporate bond market. Circular No. 16/2021/TT-NHNN, issued on November 10, 2021, delineated principles for the acquisition and sale of corporate bonds by credit institutions. The preliminary revision aims to clarify and expound on various components of Circular 16 to avoid ambiguities and gaps. The notable changes include more specific regulations for banks in investing in corporate bonds, such as banks’ responsibility … [Read more...] about SBV’s draft regulations encourage banks to support corporate bond market