Indirect investment from Japan into Việt Nam remain relatively modest compared to the potential of Japan and the ability to absorb investment capital sources of Vietnamese market, finance minister Đinh Tiến Dũng said.

The Ministry of Transport will increase service charges at airports to compensate for investment costs of the airport system and raise service quality.

The latest addition has brought the country’s total trade deficit from the start of the year to mid-August to around US$2.45 billion, equivalent to 2 per cent of the total import-export turnover.

Việt Nam Asset Management Company (VAMC) on Monday conducted its first confiscation of an asset mortgaged for a non-performing loan based on a newly-issued resolution.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has proposed major incentives including prolonged income tax exemptions for businesses and individuals working in special economic zones in three provinces.

Promoting trade and investment and reforming the investment climate in APEC member economies were discussed at the Investment Experts’ Group (IEG) meeting held in HCM City yesterday as part of the ongoing third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and related meetings.

Local enterprises have to spend around 28.6 million of working days equivalent to VNĐ14.3 trillion (US$636 million) a year to complete administrative procedures for special check-ups, said Mai Tiến Dũng, minister and chairman of the Government Office.

Improving the ability of regulators’ ability to conform to the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will help APEC economies avoid trade impediments and have better access to international markets, experts said at a workshop held yesterday in HCM City.

The Government Office last week sent a written document to the central bank governor, referring to the mobilisation of idle gold and foreign currency sources from the people.