The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, but indicated it was on the verge of pausing further increases in borrowing costs after the recent collapse of two U.S. banks. Fed Chair Jerome Powell sought to reassure investors about the soundness of the banking system, saying that the management of Silicon Valley Bank "failed badly," but that the bank's collapse did not indicate wider weaknesses in the banking system. "These are not weaknesses that are running broadly through the banking system," he said, adding that the takeover of Credit Suisse seemed to have been a positive outcome. The Federal Open Market Committee policy statement also said the U.S. banking system is "sound and resilient." Even so, Wall Street ended sharply lower after Powell told a news conference that officials were still intent on fighting inflation while also eying the extent to which recent bank failures had cooled demand and slowed lending. The … [Read more...] about U.S. Fed delivers small rate hike amid global banking turmoil
Standardised global marketing strategy
Vietnam must revisit policies to develop implementation of global minimum tax
In December, the EU officially approved a directive for companies to pay a minimum tax rate of 15 per cent from 2024. Our neighbouring markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong are heading towards the official application of GMT policy from 2024 or 2025. Thomas McClelland - Country tax leader Deloitte Vietnam Countries with foreign investment in Vietnam, like South Korea and Japan, will implement new tax policies or announce a draft tax reform, moving towards the application of the GMT from the fiscal year 2024. The impact of the policy on Vietnam is clear and urgent, and requires the authorities to take timely action before it is too late. Firstly, to protect tax collection, Vietnam could consider the immediate solution of implementing a qualified domestic minimum top-up tax to gain the right to collect the top-up tax rather than the tax going to another country. This mechanism can simply be understood as a domestic mechanism in which the calculation of … [Read more...] about Vietnam must revisit policies to develop implementation of global minimum tax
Vietnam works hard to boost exports to Chinese market
Checking the quality of durians for export to China (Photo: qdnd.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam earned 8.2 billion USD from exports to China in the first two months of 2023, posting a year-on-year increase of 4.2%, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has reported. China is the main importer of many Vietnamese products. Therefore, China's market re-opening from January 8 brings great expectations to Vietnamese businesses, especially those exporting vegetables, fruits, seafood, fiber, cement, rubber, steel, textiles, and rice. According to Vietnam Fruit Vegetables Association (VinaFruit) General Secretary Dang Phuc Nguyen, China's restoration of customs clearance is good news for Vietnamese fruit and vegetable exporters, and helps import-export activities between the two countries gradually become bustling again. However, he also reminded Vietnamese businesses to make careful preparation when resuming their exports to this important market because China has … [Read more...] about Vietnam works hard to boost exports to Chinese market
Vietnam, U.S. cultivate sci-tech, innovation cooperation
Duy said the Vietnamese Party and State consider sci-tech and innovation one of strategic breakthroughs and a driving force of growth pace and quality, turning Vietnam into a modern industrialized nation by 2030 and a high-income and developed country by 2045. In May and June last year, the Vietnamese Government and National Assembly passed a strategy on science, technology and innovation development till 2030 and the Law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Intellectual Property Law. These documents will open up increasingly favorable policy and legal corridors to promote the strong development of innovation ecosystem and intellectual property ownership in Vietnam, contributing to creating a healthy business environment and delivery of commitments in trade agreements and international conventions to which Vietnam is a member, he said. He added that the gap in science and technology between Vietnam and other countries in the region has significantly narrowed as … [Read more...] about Vietnam, U.S. cultivate sci-tech, innovation cooperation
Gold posts marginal gain
Gold ring price went up 0.09% VND55.95 million. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces. Globally gold prices slipped on Friday as the dollar edged higher, while investors assessed the U.S. central bank’s hints at a potential pause in its rate-hike trajectory, Reuters reported. Spot gold was down 0.4% at $1,986.40 per ounce after two sessions of sharp gains. U.S. gold futures also fell 0.4% to $1,988.90. Non-yielding bullion, which becomes more attractive in a low-interest-rate environment, gained 2% after the Federal Reserve signalled it might pause further rate increases after the recent collapse of two U.S. banks, and pointed to just one more rate hike this year. "However, the Fed also mentioned it would not look to cut interest rates this year," said Brian Lan, managing director at Singapore-based dealer GoldSilver Central. Lan noted some profit-taking at play, and added, "gold prices would look to consolidate, unless there’s any big news." … [Read more...] about Gold posts marginal gain
Localities crack on with IP construction
Last week the IPN5 facility was put into operation in the northern province of Hung Yen, with the total investment of $101 million and covering 192 hectares in the two districts of An Thi and Kim Dong. Tran Quoc Van, Chairman of Hung Yen People’s Committee, said, “This is a major provincial initiative that was executed swiftly, with the site cleared in just 15 months.” Capital flow is reaching industrial park development, but the balance is not uniform across regions, photo Le Toan The Hung Yen authorities anticipate that industrial park (IP) infrastructure like IPN5 will transform the land into a significant source of local income. Over a decade ago, the Red River Delta region specialised in wet rice cultivation. Now, however, it is attempting to increase investment and industrial growth. Although Hung Yen is merely 930 square kilometres, 16 IPs have already been planned. In the first two months of this year, the industrial property segment has witnessed dynamic … [Read more...] about Localities crack on with IP construction
High pedestal to reach for 2023’s growth ambitions
High pedestal to reach for 2023’s growth ambitions Vietnam’s economic growth is projected to ease to 6.3 per cent in 2023 from a robust 8.02 per cent last year, as services growth moderates and higher prices and interest rates weigh on households and investors, according to the World Bank’s latest Taking Stock report released last week. Growth is expected to pick up to 6.5 per cent in 2024 as the economies of Vietnam’s main export markets gain strength, the report said. The outlook for Vietnam reflects heightened uncertainty in the global economy. Downside risks include weaker-than-expected growth in Vietnam’s major export markets, which include the United States, China, and the Eurozone, tightening financial conditions, higher domestic inflation, weaknesses in the balance sheets of corporate, banking and household sectors, and financial sector vulnerabilities. The Vietnamese government has set a target that GDP will increase 5.6 per cent in Q1, 6.7 per cent in Q2, 6.5 per … [Read more...] about High pedestal to reach for 2023’s growth ambitions
No time to waste in building the offshore wind industry
As part of the draft national Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), Vietnam plans to generate 7GW offshore wind capacity by 2030, but the lack of an official strategy is hindering progress. At a conference organised by the Central Economic Committee last week, Mark Hutchinson, chairman of the Southeast Asia Task Force, said, “7GW of offshore wind is crucial for Vietnam for its net-zero goal and for the country’s long-term energy security. Our message has been the same for years – a clearly defined route to the market is needed.” He said that offshore wind deployment was in its early stages and the deployment of the country’s 4GW of offshore wind was not driven by a direct auction mechanism but instead arranged at a time when clear policy measures were not in place. Thus, he called for accelerating a large-scale pilot or mechanism that covers a certain volume of the target, to bypass obstacles and fast track wind power. “There are now two main options: an accelerating mechanism such … [Read more...] about No time to waste in building the offshore wind industry
Vietnam calls for U.S. support in digital transformation
The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications, at a working session on Wednesday with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and representatives from many U.S. enterprises, called on U.S enterprises to support Vietnamese enterprises, especially SMEs, in digital transformation. Following a working session with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the USABC and U.S. enterprises, who are in Vietnam to seek cooperation, investment, and business opportunities, held a meeting with the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications. A view of the working session between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council. Photo: Duong Giang / Tuoi Tre USABC President and CEO Ted Osius took time from the meeting to share his appreciation for the potential of Vietnam’s digital economy. According to Osius, U.S. enterprises are paying attention to the Southeast Asian country’s policies aimed at boosting the digital economy, … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls for U.S. support in digital transformation
US companies upbeat on investment opportunities in Viet Nam
A Coca Cola factory in Viet Nam. The beverage giant was among companies joining the mission. — Photo nld.com.vn Senior executives from 52 US companies in the 'biggest-ever' US business mission to Viet Nam are discussing investment and sales opportunities in the country. Chairman of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) Ted Osius said the council was never as busy as it is now. Its services are in high demand because many US companies show great interest in the country. He also said USABC representatives from other countries told him that they must act quickly because they were competing with Viet Nam. That was a way of saying Viet Nam has become a destination for growth and opportunities. Rafael Frankel, Director of Public Policy at Meta, said the trip was the second time he had been to Viet Nam since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He appreciates the diligence of the Vietnamese workforce and sees a bright prospect for growth in the country. As such, he revealed the … [Read more...] about US companies upbeat on investment opportunities in Viet Nam