Trade representatives of the 21 Pacific Rim countries, meeting this weekend in Hà Nội, reaffirmed their commitment to support free and open trade and pledged to fight all forms of protectionism.

Trade ministers from the 21 Pacific Rim countries gathered during a major trade meeting on Saturday in Hà Nội to discuss future plans for regional trade co-operation amid growing fears of protectionism, as well as changes in politics, economies and technology.

Financial inclusion has been an accelerating global phenomenon recently, with financial services being  provided at affordable costs to disadvantaged and low-income segments to increase earnings, alternate social capital flow and promote economic growth, a conference heard on May 19 in HCM City.

Representatives from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) have shared their experiences in promoting trade and innovation, as well as exploring activities that APEC can undertake to boost innovative growth in the region.

The customs authority has striven to shorten the time for carrying out customs clearance of goods across borders to 70 hours for export goods and 90 hours for import goods by the end of this year.

Việt Nam's first oil refinery operator Bình Sơn Refinery and Petrochemical Co Ltd (BSR) has planned its domestic initial public offering (IPO) with 5-6 per cent of its capital in the fourth quarter of the year.

Sustainable productivity is the only way for the world to deal with changing business models driven by fast changing technologies, according to the Asian Productivity Organisation.

During his keynote address at yesterday conference on the future of the Việt Nam - US commercial relationship, President Trần Đại Quang expressed his faith in the bilateral economic success between Việt Nam and the United States, as it will be the basis for the comprehensive partnership between the two countries towards sustainability, stability, productivity and mutual benefits.

Việt Nam-based technology corporation CMC on May 19 released its anti-data encryption software CMC CryptoShield, which offers protection from ransomware.