At last week’s AGM, privately-held Nam A Bank signalled its ambition to expand its footprint in the international market by establishing a wholly-owned commercial bank, or to set up a branch in a foreign country. Banks expanding share over borders, illustration photo/ Source: Nam A Bank This is part of the bank’s long-term strategy to diversify revenues, capitalise on other prospective foreign markets, and build a robust banking ecosystem. “This plan is in line with the upward trajectory of other financial institutions in a bid to support Vietnamese businesses in their international trade and investment activities,” said a bank representative. “We haven’t decided the exact location, but our target would be focused on the Asian market first.” Regarding its domestic network, Nam A Bank targets to open at least 20 new branches and transaction offices in various localities, such as Quang Ninh, Nghe An, Dak Nong, Binh Thuan, and Long An provinces. The bank’s AGM also … [Read more...] about Banks expanding share over borders
Hong kong to singapore flights
Port operators want container fee raised
In a proposal to the government by the Private Sector Development Committee, port operators say that the current terminal handling charge (THC) in Vietnam is only 40-50% that of other countries in the region. Le Quang Trung, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Association, said that international shipping firms collect from their customers a THC of $140 per 20-foot container, but only pay Vietnamese seaport operators $45-52, or 37% of the total. Cambodian port operators, however, get as much as $90 per container, and operators in Singapore receive $115. According to international norms, 80% of the THC must go to the port operator, and therefore Vietnamese operators should get $80-100 per container instead of $45-52 as current, Trung said. Port operators have therefore proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade raise the THC in Vietnam gradually to reach the same level as other regional countries. A 15-20% increase annually for four or five years will bring THC in … [Read more...] about Port operators want container fee raised
Vietnam sees surge in foreign tourists
Vietnam attracted 2.7 million foreign tourists in the first quarter of this year, representing an on-year rise of 29.7 times. According to the General Statistics Office (GSO), Vietnam welcomed 895,400 foreign arrivals in March, raising the country’s total number of foreign visitors to 2.7 million. However, the figure only accounted for 60 percent of the first quarter of 2019 pre-Covid-19-pandemic. Foreign tourists in Vietnam Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy, said the number of foreign travellers to Vietnam was on the rise. The figure would continue sharply increasing as summer nears. Thuy strongly believed that Vietnam would surpass eight million foreign arrivals this year. Between January and March, Vietnam served 140,233 Chinese tourists. The stronger recovery is expected to start from April as more programmes to promote tours to Vietnam would be carried out. In the first three months of this year, 81,000 … [Read more...] about Vietnam sees surge in foreign tourists
Leaders of aviation firms to be disciplined if employees committed wrongdoings
A view of Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. (Photo chinhphu.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has just released Directive 1480 on enhancing smuggling and commercial fraud prevention among aviation employees. The directive highlighted the case of four airline staff who were caught allegedly transporting drugs that caused wide public attention recently. These allegations, according to CAAV, have damaged the image and reputation of the national airline, as well as posing potential threats to aviation safety and security. The case also showed how the previous directive on smuggling prevention had not been taken effectively by airlines . Through the directive, CAAV commanded related units, businesses and individuals to take responsibility and discipline if needed those who don't follow the directive. The authority also asked aviation enterprises to actively strengthen internal security control for aviation … [Read more...] about Leaders of aviation firms to be disciplined if employees committed wrongdoings
Central banks in ASEAN discuss economic priorities
Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo speaks at a high-level seminar entitled ‘From ASEAN to The World’ and themed ‘Payment System in the Digital Era’ in Badung, Bali on March 28, 2023. (Photo:ANTARA) Jakarta (VNA) – The ASEAN Central Bank Deputies Meeting (ACDM) took place on March 28 in Indonesia to discuss the priority economic deliverables (PEDs) in 2023. The meeting was held as part of the first Meeting of the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (AFMGM), which is taking place from March 28 to 31, 2023. The event saw the participation of deputy governors and central banks’ representatives from nine member states, namely the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM), the Bank of Thailand (BOT), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) of the Philippines, the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL), Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). Speaking at the opening ceremony, … [Read more...] about Central banks in ASEAN discuss economic priorities