Business Beat - VietNam News

Retailers lose ground against foreign rivals

In July 2011 E-Mart, South Korea's top discount store chain, signed an agreement with Viet Nam's U&I Investment Corporation to form a distribution joint venture in the country.

Tourism bodies want to keep visa waiver

The HCM City Tourism Association continues to petition the Government to retain the visa waiver scheme for nationals of seven countries — and in fact to expand it — and not to hike visa fees.

State Bank faces interest rate dilemma

The State Bank of Viet Nam plans to maintain the current deposit interest-rate cap to ensure stability on the market. However, many domestic enterprises want the central bank to set a cap on the lending interest rate so they can access more bank loans.

Parboiled rice: idea whose time has come

Vietnamese exporters were hoping that parboiled rice would give them a helping hand considering the difficulties faced in rice production and export.

Firms rush to export rice despite limitations

According to a recent report by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, there has been a sharp increase in the number of companies seeking a licence to export rice.

Few takers for high-grade rice

Farmers in the Mekong Delta complain there is not much demand for their high-quality winter-spring paddy this year.

Six firms and a fund delist in first quarter

Five companies and one fund delisted during the first quarter of this year due to successive losses and low value of shares and fund certificates, the nation's two stock exchanges reported. They were Dien Hong Printing (DHI), steelmaker Phuc Tien (PHT), Sacombank Securities (SBS), Viglacera Thanglong Tiles (TLT), logistic firm Vinafco (VFC) and Vietnam Active Investment Fund.

Banks await State's new bad debt manager

In January the Government asked the State Bank of Viet Nam to draw up plans for establishing a national asset management company (AMC) and detailed regulations for its operations so that it can be set up in the first quarter.

More guest workers tipped to go abroad

Despite the current global economic turmoil, Viet Nam is expected to send 85,000 guest workers abroad in 2013.

ETF trading boosts shares

Active trading of exchange-traded funds (ETF) helped lift shares on the two national stock exchanges last week, with both stock indices rising.

Leading businesses win National Quality Awards

Sixty-seven Vietnamese firms received 2012 National Quality Awards at a ceremony in Ha Noi yesterday.

Hightlight

Tax code reforms to decipher dependents

People who are dependent on personal income tax payers will be given their own tax codes to avoid people lodging claims as dependents of more than one taxpayer.

Farmer-firm linkups remain elusive despite Gov't efforts

More than 10 years after the Government unveiled policies to encourage tie-ups between farmers and businesses, the proportion of farm produce sold through such contracts remains modest.

Buddha statues highlight heritage