South Korea has surpassed the US, the European Union and ASEAN for the first time to become Việt Nam’s second-largest trade partner, after China.

Việt Nam needs to raise policies to boost digital economy, a stimulator to generate added value and breakthroughs for sustainable development, experts have said.

Việt Nam imported 3.53 million tonnes of corn in the first half of this year, up 5.6 per cent over the same period last year, according to the Crop Production Department.

The Government’s recent decision on the restructuring of credit institutions ensures that State-owned banks listed on the market no longer have to worry about dividend payout in cash, experts said.

Fourth generation (4G) mobile phone services are expected to see a strong development in the country this year, accelerating the completion of national programmes such as e-Government, Smart City and Smart Agriculture, said Phạm Hồng Hải, deputy minister of Information and Communication (MIC).

Việt Nam attracted US$21.93 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first seven months of this year, a surge of 52 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest Foreign Investment Agency statistics.

The Samsung Việt Nam has recorded the significant breakthrough in raising the localisation rate of products from 35 per cent in 2014 to 57 per cent at present, heard attendants at the “Samsung Sourcing Fair 2017”.

Representatives of the PetroVietnam Securities Incorporated (PSI) and the Vinacomin Power Holding Corporation told an investors’ conference on Wednesday that they were encouraged by investors’ interest shown in purchasing Vinacomin shares.

Việt Nam’s benchmark VN Index retreated from a two-day increase as large-cap stocks were brought down by profit-taking pressure.