A view of HCM City (Photo: VNA) HCM City – Ho Chi Minh City has drawn 497.5 million USD of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first three months of this year, up 22.4 per cent year on year, according to the city’s Statistics Office. The office reported that in the first quarter of this year, the city issued new investment licences to 216 projects worth 133.2 million USD, a rise of 30 per cent over the same period last year, mostly in construction sector (53.7 million USD). Singapore remained the leading investor in the city with 47 projects with a total capital of 86.7 million USD, accounting for 65.4 per cent of the total FDI the city attracted in the period. Hong Kong (China) came second with 15 projects worth 9.5 million USD, accounting for 7.1 per cent, and Japan with 19 projects worth 9.0 million USD. At the same time, investors also injected additional 87.1 million USD into 37 underway projects. Of the total, 35.5 million USD, or 40.8 per cent, came from the … [Read more...] about HCM City sees over 22 per cent rise in FDI inflows in Q1
Fdi inflows by country
UK, the first European country, to join CPTPP
British Ambassador to Viet Nam Iain Frew. — VNS Photo Le Viet Dung It is particularly meaningful that Viet Nam hosted the final round of negotiations on UK accession, as the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2023, Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Viet Nam, said in a press briefing on Friday. The UK announced the conclusion of trade negotiations with all member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) the same day. With the conclusion, the UK has become the first European country to join the dynamic trade bloc and the first new member since its inception. The UK and CPTPP members will now take the final steps required for the UK to formally sign in 2023. After an intense round of talks in Viet Nam, negotiations, which began in June 2021, came to a unanimous agreement that the UK has reached the conclusion of its accession process to join the trade bloc. Accession could mean lower tariffs on some … [Read more...] about UK, the first European country, to join CPTPP
Global minimum tax should not impact investors’ benefits: Conference
At the conference (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam needs to develop appropriate policies to adapt to the global minimum tax and remain an attractive FDI destination , heard a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on March 29. Dr Tran Du Lich told the seminar, titled "Global Minimum Corporate Tax - Prospects and Challenges in attracting FDI in HCM City", that the global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, which is set to be applied next year in Vietnam , is forecast to have a significant impact on Vietnam in whose economy FDI plays a significant role. The tax applies to multi-national corporations with revenues of at least 750 million euros (870 million USD). When a company invests in a foreign country but pays corporate income tax of less than 15% in that country, it will have to pay the difference in the country where it is headquartered. As of today, 141 countries and territories have signed up to implement the tax. “It is estimated that 1,015 FDI companies in … [Read more...] about Global minimum tax should not impact investors’ benefits: Conference
$11 billion required for Vietnam’s oil and gas infrastructure development
Vietnam plans to expand its crude oil and petroleum product reserves to 75-80 days of net imports by 2030 and 90 days by 2050. The national petroleum and gas supply reserve infrastructure is predicted to cost VND270 trillion (US$11.4 billion) by 2030. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the meeting. Source: VGP Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien commented on March 30 during a meeting of the Appraisal Council for the draft National Petroleum and Gas Reserve Infrastructure Plan. The minister stated that the country's liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage infrastructure is limited, with only ten 10,000 m3 or larger warehouses. Furthermore, no operational liquefied natural gas (LNG) warehouses are nationwide. "The development of new gas pipelines connecting warehouses to consumers has also encountered challenges due to a lack of designated corridors within industrial parks for gas pipelines," Dien explained. In the case of petroleum, there … [Read more...] about $11 billion required for Vietnam’s oil and gas infrastructure development
Hanoi hosts a week-long exhibition showcasing OCOP farm products
On March 31, the event occurred adjacent to the Hanoi Cooperative Alliance's headquarters in Van Quan Ward, Ha Dong District. More than 100 cooperative groups of cooperative alliances from Hanoi and provinces all over the country participated in a week-long fair promoting the sale of farm produce and handicrafts recognized by the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program to showcase their products and agricultural models linked to eco-tourism. Hanoi's authorities attend the opening ceremony of the event. Photo: Trong Tung/ The Hanoi Times Do Huy Chien, the chairman of the Hanoi Cooperative Alliance, stated that the week-long fair aims to promote farm goods, processed foods, and OCOP items related to rural and agricultural sectors and traditional craft villages from Hanoi and other areas. "The event is also intended to link tourism promotion activities between the city and localities throughout the country, contributing to increasing the brand value of … [Read more...] about Hanoi hosts a week-long exhibition showcasing OCOP farm products
Vietnam, Australia eye stronger multifaced cooperation
Vietnam and Australia are actively coordinating to prepare for activities commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations, including high-level visits, cultural events, people-to-people exchange, and tourism promotion. Australia aims to expand cooperation with Vietnam in many fields, such as energy, education, defense, science, technology, innovation, gender equality, and cultural exchange. Delegates looked at children's drawings on display at the program. Photo: VNA That's the statement of Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski during a friendship exchange to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia (February 26, 1973). The event was jointly organized by the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Australia Friendship Association in Hanoi on March 31. Speaking at the ceremony, the Ambassador emphasized that the bilateral relationship … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Australia eye stronger multifaced cooperation
Vietnam expected to export 7 million tons of rice this year: Ministry
Vietnam now sees a sharp increase in rice orders from the Philippines and China. Acccording to Pham Thai Binh, General Director of Trung An Hi-tech Agriculture Joint Stock Company in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, the company has signed an order to export 2,000 tonnes of rice to China and is under negotiation for another batch of 20,000 tons. Statistics from the General Administration of Vietnam Customs show that in the first two months of this year, China imported 152,640 tons of rice from Vietnam worth 90 million USD, a year-on-year increase of 86% in volume and 120% in value. Vietnamese rice exported to China enjoyed an average price of 589.7 USD per ton, 18.3% higher than that of the same period last year. Chinese customers mainly imported Vietnam’s high-quality rice like fragrant rice and sticky rice with high prices. Meanwhile, the Philippines is anticipated to import about 2.8 million tons of rice from Vietnam during the 2022-2023 crop because the country’s rice … [Read more...] about Vietnam expected to export 7 million tons of rice this year: Ministry
Women’s participation in science and technology promoted
The forum was co-held by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (U.N. Women). It contributed to encouraging women to master fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and ensuring a safe cyber environment for women and girls. The forum offered an opportunity for relevant agencies and organizations to show their strong commitment to act for cybersecurity, promote gender equality and women and girls’ engagement in STEM, and help them acquire knowledge and skills to protect themselves against non-traditional and invisible security challenges. At the event, the Vietnam Women’s Union affirmed that the unit would exert all-out efforts to conduct practical programs and activities, contributing to the country’s sustainable development with the spirit of “no woman is left behind in the digital age.” Translated by Quynh Oanh … [Read more...] about Women’s participation in science and technology promoted
Central bank to cut deposit interest rate ceiling from Monday
It said the overnight electronic interbank rate would also be kept at the current level of 6.0%. The bank also said it will from Monday lower its refinance rate by 50 basis points to 5.5%, its latest move to support economic growth that bucks a trend among regional peers. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) said in a statement it would keep the discount rate unchanged at 3.5%. Earlier this month, the SBV cut several policy rates to increase liquidity and help spur growth, in what was a surprise move amid global financial turmoil. The announcement came just hours after a senior central bank official said the U.S. Federal Reserve's move to ease its rate hikes meant Vietnam would consider further cutting rates in future to spur growth. Vietnam's economic growth slowed to 3.32% in the first quarter, against a 5.92% expansion in the fourth quarter of 2022. The SBV pledged on Friday to keep monetary policy flexible for the rest of the year to support economic stability amid … [Read more...] about Central bank to cut deposit interest rate ceiling from Monday
Vietnam a potential market for shoppertainment: report
Illustrative image (Source: baodautu.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is one of the most potential markets in the Asia-Pacific region for shoppertainment - a trend that combines online shopping with entertainment, according to a report named “Shoppertainment: APAC’s Trillion-Dollar Opportunity” by the US-based Boston Consulting Group ( BCG ) and TikTok. The report shows that the shoppertainment opportunity in the region is projected to expand to a market value of over 1 trillion USD by 2025, doubling from the 500 billion USD value last year. Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will contribute 67% of gross market value (GMV) in shoppertainment by 2025, reflecting their large and established e-commerce bases. Meanwhile, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand add to the mix of some of the region’s most exciting growth markets, and, alongside Australia, will contribute to a remarkable 63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next three years, quadrupling the market … [Read more...] about Vietnam a potential market for shoppertainment: report