Shares edged higher yesterday on the two exchanges but the overall market condition was negative as investors turned cautious ahead of the November US Federal Reserve meeting and presiidential elections.

Viglacera Corporation, Việt Nam’s largest producer of ceramics and tiles for construction, has sent an application to list more than 65 million shares worth VNĐ650 billion (US$29 million) on the Hà Nội Stock Exchange.

Việt Nam and northern European countries have a potential for enhanced co-operation in trade and investment, according to speakers at a conference held yesterday by the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hà Nội.

Việt Nam expects to top ASEAN member states in the textile and garment industry as it is the largest exporter in the region, said the Chairman of the Việt Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), Vũ Đức Giang.

When encountering difficulties in bank borrowing, enterprises usually take loans from individuals or other enterprises, which may entail many risks for both sides due to unclear regulations on Loan Agreements.

Vietnamese expatriates living abroad will remit roughly US$2.5 billion to HCM City in 2016’s final quarter, deputy director of the State Bank of Việt Nam’s HCM City branch Nguyễn Hoàng Minh estimates.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has released a directive requiring ministries and relevant agencies to tighten State management of multi-level marketing (MLM) activities.

Swiss President Johann Schneider-Ammann has expressed his hope that the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Việt Nam will conclude negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement within the next few months despite certain difficulties at present.

The State invested some VNĐ611 trillion (US$27.4 billion) in agriculture and rural areas during 2011-15, 1.83 times higher than the previous five-year period.