The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has requested that credit institutions and foreign bank branches intensify their credit quality and bad debt management and submit their bad debt handling plans for 2016 before April 28.

Mobile electronic commerce or m-commerce is soon set to take off in Vietnam thanks to the increasing number of mobile phones and rapid internet development, experts have predicted.

The tourism sector will strive to become a spearhead economy with a average annual growth rate of 11-12% by 2020, stated new Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien. 

VOV.VN - Sales of cement and clinker for the first quarter jumped 4.6% in volume and 20.1% in value year-on-year to 4.38 million metric tons valued at US$159.19 million, according to the latest statistics of the Vietnam Ministry of Construction.

The handbook “Summary of TPP” was introduced to enterprises and trade associations at a conference entitled “Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement – What enterprises need to know” in Ho Chi Minh City on April 14.

The Ministry of Finance will continue completing tariff policies and reforming tariff and customs administrative procedures to support production and business and also improve the competitiveness of the economy.

VOV.VN - The Trade Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on April 14 held a seminar in Hanoi to discuss measures enhancing the competitiveness of local companies.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on building the legal framework and institutions in line with integration commitments to create an optimum environment for investment, business and production. 

VOV.VN - World Bank economists have urged Vietnam to be more prudent in its fiscal policy as the country’s public debt is close to the set limit of 65% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

VOV.VN - Squid and octopus exports dipped 6.9% to US$54.08 million during the first two months of this year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP).

Vietnam and the European Union have agreed that the Timber Legality Assurance System of Vietnam (VNTLAS) will be applied for wood and wood products exported to the EU, and also to other countries and in the domestic market. 

Jetstar Pacific Airlines plans to launch its new route from the central city of Da Nang to Osaka, Japan, in August with four flights per week.

An education-based app developed by a Vietnamese firm has climbed to the top ten most downloaded apps on Apple’s App Store in the US as of early 2016.

The latest quarterly report on the Vietnamese economy by the Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR) has been overshadowed by fears of rising inflation.

The Vietnam Expo 2016 opened in Hanoi on April 13 with the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI).

Vietnamese deposits overseas, which were previously negligible, skyrocketed to hit US$7.3 billion as of the third quarter of 2015, it was reported at a conference in Hanoi on April 12. 

Usage of business development services (BDS) is low among entrepreneurs in Vietnam as about 60-80% of firms lack awareness of BDS or are aware but do not use the services. 

VOV.VN - The UK and its business community can play an important role in the development of Vietnam and help it reach the next level, members of a British delegation said on April 13 at a meeting with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee.

Scores of Vietnamese businesses are promoting their products at the Food & Hotel Asia 2016 (FHA) expo in Singapore from April 12-15.

VOV.VN - Viglacera Corporation has announced the opening of its first-ever showroom for construction and interior finish materials in La Habana, Cuba, according to the Baodautu.vn online newspaper.

VOV.VN - Real estate developer Vincom has announced the start of preconstruction sales at its new mixed-use condominium, shopping and entertainment development located at Rach Gia City in Kien Giang Province.

Science and technology are key solutions for the success of the mineral sector, so enterprises should make additional investments in new technologies to ensure more effective exploitation, safety and environment protection.

VOV.VN - A growing number of Japanese retailers are moving into the Vietnam retail market hoping to carve out a profitable niche in the nation’s sizable consumer market some 90 million strong. 

Vietnam will create favourable conditions for and offer incentives to Indian firms to invest in Vietnam, said Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh.

Projects on building belt roads and roads along the Hong (Red) River in Hanoi are among those calling for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investments.

Belgium should look to trade ties with Vietnam, where stable politics stimulate economic growth, Nabil Jijakli, an expert from the CREDENDO insurance group, said at a conference on the global economy held in Brussels on April 12.

China’s Taiwan will begin importing Vietnamese dragon fruit again, Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) newspaper reported.

Vietnam remains a new bright spot for Korean investors in Southeast Asia, as evidenced by their increasing presence in Vietnam.

Thai air conditioner marker Saijo Denki Company has recently announced that it will defeat other domestic air conditioner brands, especially Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric, and Daikin, according to newswire VTC news.

The construction of the first phase of the US$4 billion South Hoi An integrated casino resort, invested by a joint venture of Vietnam-focused asset management firm VinaCapital, Macau-based SunCity Group, and Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd., will start on April 23.