Illustrative image (Photo: nation thailand .com) Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand's domestic car and motorcycle sales may suffer the brunt if Thai financial institutions are affected by the risk of bank failures in the US and Europe, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The concern was raised after US and European banking executives and regulators stepped in to save California-based Silicon Valley Bank, New York-based Signature Bank and 167-year-old Credit Suisse in Switzerland from potential crisis. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, FTI Vice Chairman, said that if the financial turbulence cannot be contained, the global financial system will be affected, which may eventually have a negative impact on Thai banks and non-banks that grant loans to car and motorcycle buyers. The FTI is closely monitoring whether global financial institutions will face an impact, he said. The FTI’s Automotive Industry Club predicted that if the Thai auto industry is not … [Read more...] about Thailand’s car, motorcycle sales may be affected by bank failure risk
Electric cars video
Man arrested after forcing 3-yr-old to smoke meth
Aside from the drug possession charge, police are investigating Bam on charges of child abuse and "enticing others to use drugs." Videos of Bam giving meth to the 3-year-old boy were brought to investigators’ attention by a man known only as Tai, the boy’s biological father, who reported the case to the police on Friday. Police arrested Bam on Sunday afternoon at his house in Cu Chi District after a two-day search for him. The officers found meth, drug paraphernalia and other related evidence inside the house. Bam tested positive for drugs, and fortunately the boy was negative. He is currently at the Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Hospital in stable condition with no abnormal symptoms. The boy’s mother and Bam said they "only let the boy use meth once just for fun" many months ago. Police are currently taking the testimonies of people involved in the case. One of the clips Tai showed police revealed the boy in diapers sucking on a meth straw while a woman’s voice can be heard … [Read more...] about Man arrested after forcing 3-yr-old to smoke meth
Vietnamese farm produce finds favour in Belgium
Participation in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has also enabled Vietnamese farm produce to make inroads into the European market. Belgium is Vietnam’s sixth-largest trade partner in the EU. Bilateral trade surged nearly 54% to 4.3 billion USD in 2021 compared to 2020, and reached 4.5 billion USD in 2022. Notably, since 2018, Vietnam and Belgium have become strategic partners in agricultural cooperation, which was an important milestone in relations. Besides agriculture , Belgium also wants to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in fields such as tourism and healthcare. In addition to economic success, political and diplomatic relations between the two countries have also been thriving thanks to frequent high-level visits. Vietnam and Belgium have also strengthened cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums and in international organisations. With a stable foundation over the past five decades, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnamese farm produce finds favour in Belgium
Japan’s SMBC acquires 15% stake in VPBank for US$1.5 billion
The agreement surpasses the VND20 trillion ($850 million) acquisition of a 15% stake in BIDV from KEB Hana Bank (South Korea) in 2019, setting a new record in the banking industry. VPBank announced that it has completed the sale of a 15% equity interest to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. of Japan, a member of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, in a transaction valued at $1.5 billion. CEO of SMBC Masahiro Yoshimura and Chairman of the Board of Directors at VPBank Nguyen Chi Dung at the signing ceremony today. Photo: VPBank SMBC Group's latest deal with VPBank makes the former a new strategic investor in the latter. The agreement sets a new banking industry record, with a deal value of VND35.9 trillion ($1.5 billion), surpassing the VND20 trillion ($850 million) acquisition of a 15% stake in BIDV from South Korea's KEB Hana Bank in 2019. The investment is expected to increase VPBank's total capital from VND103.5 trillion ($4.4 billion) to around VND140 trillion … [Read more...] about Japan’s SMBC acquires 15% stake in VPBank for US$1.5 billion
UK-funded CFA to support nine low-carbon projects in Vietnam
The CFA is part of the UK Government's efforts to help Vietnam meet the commitments made by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. Nine low carbon projects from across Vietnam have been announced to be part of the first cohort of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Vietnam. The selected projects come from diverse sectors including renewable energy, resource and energy efficiency, electromobility, AFOLUs (agriculture, forestry and other land uses), decarbonised construction, circular economy and waste management, and have the potential to benefit communities across Vietnam. Deep C Green is one of the first nine low-carbon projects in Vietnam to join the CFA. Photo: Deepc.vn Projects will receive tailored one-on-one and group support to improve project readiness and chances of attracting investment from Vietnamese and international investors. This will include advice on technical aspects, financial models, and pitch materials, as well as … [Read more...] about UK-funded CFA to support nine low-carbon projects in Vietnam
Hanoi to allow advertising rights in exchange for 600 bus stop shelters
Some 600 new European standard shelters will be built at public bus stops in Hanoi city. Hanoi will allow investors to build advertising boards in exchange for 600 modern bus stop shelters and shelter displays worth VND1 trillion (US$43 million) in 12 urban districts, Kinhtedothi.vn reported. The move is part of efforts to encourage Hanoi’s residents to turn to public transportation for mobility, thus easing the number of cars on road and improving air quality. Hanoi to have 600 new bus stop shelters Currently, there are 1,078 bus stops in Hanoi's downtown, but only 365 of them have shelters. The shelters are built by different investors, which make them apprear ununiform. According to the municipal People's Committee, 600 new European standard shelters will be built at public bus stops in the city under the PPP funding mechanism. Among them, 270 shelters will be newly installed and the other 330 will be replaced. In exchange, 1,200 advertising boards … [Read more...] about Hanoi to allow advertising rights in exchange for 600 bus stop shelters
Innovative low-carbon projects join UK’s climate finance scheme
To improve project readiness and provide opportunities to attract investment from Vietnamese and international investors, the schemes will receive tailored one-to-one and group support. This will include advice on technical aspects, financial models, materials, and advice on enhancing gender equality and social inclusion. The CFA is part of the UK government’s efforts to help Vietnam meet the commitments made by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at COP26 in Glasgow two years ago, and offer support to implement the Vietnam Just Energy Transition Partnership (V-JETP) that was agreed upon in December last year. “The exciting and innovative projects selected to be part of CFA Vietnam underline the significant potential of the Vietnamese private sector to help tackle the climate crisis," British Ambassador to Vietnam, Iain Frew, said. "The expertise shared with these projects will help move them closer to finding investment, leading to reductions in carbon emissions for communities across … [Read more...] about Innovative low-carbon projects join UK’s climate finance scheme
5G commercialisation – a must to drive the digital vision of Vietnam
Denis Brunetti, president of Ericsson in Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos Vietnam is piloting 5G with the support of Ericsson. Is the country still slow in 5G rollout, or keeping up with regional countries? Today, various countries are in different stages of 5G rollout. Every country and market has its own path, and Vietnam is very well-placed as one of the most dynamic and attractive investment destinations in the world, with a fast-growing digital economy and strategic focus on nationwide digital transformation and Industry 4.0, enabled by 5G as a critical national infrastructure. Ericsson fully supports and endorses this vision, and we are committed to helping Vietnam achieve this important and strategic ambition. Today there are 235 5G networks in the world in commercial service, with 5G having over 30 per cent population coverage globally. Vietnam is well poised to commercially expand 5G later this year and derive the benefits of the latest, most advanced 5G products … [Read more...] about 5G commercialisation – a must to drive the digital vision of Vietnam
FPT Software opens new office in South Korea
With the new facility, FPT Software is the first Vietnamese IT company to open an office in the Korean market, pinning high hopes on strengthening the company’s presence there and becoming a world-class, billion-dollar company. FPT chairman Truong Gia Binh spoke at the opening ceremony Addressing the opening ceremony, FPT Corporation chairman Truong Gia Binh said, "Our business philosophy is to stay closer to our customers, which could let us reach and serve our customers better. FPT will continuously open new offices around the world. FPT Software's second office in Korea helps us expand our global network further and strengthens our ability to connect and accompany customers despite time and geography." According to FPT Software Korea CEO Ha Minh Tuan, the new office is expected to address the shortage of IT talent in the country. “We also see strong demand for technology solutions such as AUTOSAR, IVI, SAP, low-code, managed services, and digital transformation. … [Read more...] about FPT Software opens new office in South Korea
VPBank sells 15% stake to Japan’s SMBC for 1.5 bln USD
Vietnamese lender VPBank on March 27 signed an agreement to sell its 15% stake to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) through a private placement. At the signing ceremony between VPBank and SMBC (Photo: VNA) With this deal, SMBC, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc (SMFG), has officially become a foreign strategic investor of the Vietnamese bank. The investment from SMBC will help VPBank raise 35.9 trillion VND (approximately 1.5 billion USD) of Tier 1 capital (equal to 30,160 VND per share), increasing its equity to approximately 140 trillion VND from 103.5 trillion VND. Following the investment, VPBank will become Vietnam’s second largest bank in terms of equity, which allows it to serve a wide range of customer needs in various segments, including retail banking, corporate banking and SMEs. The robust capital stance will also back VPBank in serving large-scale enterprises, particularly the FDI and multi-national companies … [Read more...] about VPBank sells 15% stake to Japan’s SMBC for 1.5 bln USD