Ho Chi Minh City’s budget collection in 2014 reached VND252.1 trillion (over US$11.8 billion), 111.44% of the yearly estimate, and 11.4% above the 2013 collection, as released at a conference in the city on January 15. 

(VOV) - The two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Brazil swelled 36% year-on-year to hit US$3.2 billion in 2014, according to statistics from the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade (MDIC).

(VOV) - A Vietnam-Japan information and communications technology (ICT) forum was held on January 15 in Hanoi gathering the participation of hundreds of delegates from both nations.

(VOV) - Cuba plans to import 300,000 tonnes of rice from Vietnam for 2015 in accordance with the terms of a deal struck at the 32nd meeting of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee held late last year.

(VOV) - The 21st meeting of the Mekong River Commission (MRC), underway in Hanoi on January 15-16, aims to review the results achieved in 2014 and map out a course of action for 2015.

The Philippines’ Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) signed a deal on acquiring a portion of stock ownership in the Ho Chi Minh City Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company (CII) on January 14. 

(VOV) - Foreign direct investment has been the catalyst for economic growth in Vietnam over recent years, and capital investment by foreign enterprises continues to set the pace for development of the nation’s support industries.

(VOV) - The establishment of a strategic partnership between Italy and Vietnam has opened opportunities for the two countries to elevate trade ties across a wide spectrum of sectors and stimulate Italian investment into Vietnam.

(VOV) - Coming off the impressive success of Thai trade fairs in Vietnam over the past 13 years, Thai businesses and investors have begun to realise the huge potential the Vietnam market presents.

The World Bank (WB) has forecast that Vietnam’s economy will grow 5.6% in 2015, the same level as last year.

The European Commission (EC) has ended an anti-subsidy investigation into polyester staple fibre (PSF) imported from three countries, including Vietnam, which is expected to boost fibre exports to Europe. 

The Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) and LaoVietBank, a joint venture between BIDV and Laos’ BCEL, will finance the construction of a five-star hotel and office complex in the Lao capital of Vientiane.

The maritime sector is leaving no stone unturned in efforts to reduce the number of Vietnamese vessels detained at foreign ports and thereby take Vietnam off international maritime blacklists.

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and Singapore want to expand cooperation in agro-fishery processing, electrical home appliances, medicine, and fast food industries.

(VOV) - Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan on January 14 granted investment certificates to Korean-invested Nobland Vietnam and Worldon Vietnam of the UK.

(VOV) - The foreign capital inflows provided by multinational corporations (MNCs) have been immensely positive for the nation’s economic development, according to a representative from the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA). 

(VOV) - Vietnam has imported its first coal for 2015 to help generate electricity to keep up with rising business and consumer demand, Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (Vinacomin) General Director Dang Thanh Hai has said.

(VOV) - Thailand’s imports of Vietnam tra fish for calendar year 2014 jumped 25% on-year, according to the latest statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

The Vietnam Textile Group (Vinatex) will build a fiber-weaving-dying and garment complex in Que Son district in the central province of Quang Nam this year, costing VND1.5 trillion (US$71 million).

Hanoi will work towards industry sector recovery in 2015 with 5 percent growth, stated Vice Director of the municipal Department for Industry and Trade Tran Thi Phuong Lan. 

(VOV) - The Vietnamese-Russian joint venture Vietsovpetro targets production of 5.1 million tonnes of crude oil in 2015, grossing revenue of US$3.9 billion –  contributing US$3.9 billion to the state budget. 

(VOV) - Vietnam Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh welcomed hundreds of delegates operating in a wide cross section of industries to a seminar on January 11-13 in Gujarat state on the topic of doing business in Vietnam.

Over 20 businesses gathered at a workshop in Quang Nam province on January 13 to strategise initiatives to boost labour exports.

(VOV) - Transport Minister Dinh La Thang on January 12 met with the project management team from US based Bechtel Corporation discussing cooperation on the Hon Khoai coal port project in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has signed Decree128/2014/ND-CP regulating the sale of wholly State-owned enterprises (SOEs).

(VOV) - Can Tho province is expected to earn US$485 million from seafood exports this year, a year-on-year increase of 23.4% and accounting for 33.4% of the province’s total export turnover.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has agreed with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s 2015 plan on import quota of sugar, salt and poultry egg as part of efforts to realise WTO commitments.

(VOV) - In 2014, the export value of Vietnamese handicrafts jumped 8% on-year to US$1.6 billion, accounting for one-fifth of world market share. However, Vietnam’s handicraft exports have just targeted the low-end markets and have not matched their full potential. 

(VOV) - Amid fierce competition, low demand and overproduction, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) recently announced that it will intensify measures in 2015 to expand the nation’s rice exports.

(VOV) - Last year, Hong Kong surpassed major investors like Japan, Singapore and Taiwan (China) to become the second largest investor in Vietnam, reported the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA).