Việt Nam maintained its position as an important investment destination for Japanese companies, with some 70 per cent of operational Japanese-invested firms making plans for business expansion here.

Many banks have planned to set up more branches and transaction offices in the early days of the new year to seize new business opportunities.

Thousands of Japanese goods imported into Việt Nam will enjoy a zero percent tariff, in line with the Southeast Asian country’s commitments to lower tariffs, as outlined in the Việt Nam - Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) and the ASEAN - Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (AJCEP) for 2016-19.

As of January 20, FDI projects disbursed $1.05 million, 10 per cent higher than the same period last year.

Shares declined on the HCM Stock Exchange (HOSE) yesterday, dragged down by blue chips despite rising demand on the southern bourse.

The State Bank of Việt Nam (SBV) has issued a document asking credit institutions and branches of foreign banks to push the resolving of non-performing loans in 2018.

Despite concerns from economic experts about the undetermined scale and scope of Việt Nam’s undocumented market transactions, authorities are adamant that the illicit economy is under control and will soon be regulated heavily.

With its price more than doubling since early last year and trading at around VNĐ145,000 (US$6.38) now, the Phú Nhuận Jewelry Joint Stock Company’s share became one of the highest gainers on the Vietnamese stock market last year.

The average registered capital for each business this month was VNĐ9.1 billion (approximately $400,000), down 10 per cent year-on-year.