Japanese experts in the field of copyright and related right protection shared experience with their Vietnamese colleagues in how to develop collective management organisations (CMOs) for copyright and related rights at a workshop on January 28. 

Vietnamese firms involved in fishery and agricultural products were urged to study the sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) of the European Union (EU) markets to opimise opportunities for both sides.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) would consider allowing some ailing financial companies and people's credit funds to declare bankruptcy this year, according to Deputy Governor Nguyen Phuoc Thanh.

Vietnamese export firms have mixed feelings, both happy and worried, about business prospects for this year. 

Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) is forecasted to expand 6.82% in 2016, according to the macroeconomic report for quarter IV, the whole year of 2015 and the outlook for 2016 announced by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) on January 28.

Vietnam’s index of industrial production (IIP) in January posted a 5.9% increase year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Thailand's Siam Cement Group (SCG), which has invested US$700 million in Vietnam since 1992, plans to expand its operations in the country, especially in the cement and upstream petrochemical sectors, according to Thailand’s “The Nation” newspaper.

Vietnam saw 8,320 new enterprises begin operations, with total capital of VND59.3 trillion (US$2.7 billion) in the first month of this year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

VOV.VN -Farmers in the Mekong Delta, the country's largest fruit cultivation area, are busy preparing specialty fruits for the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) festival. Hoa Loc mango, green grapefruit, durian, and red dragon fruit are among the most in demand.

When import tariffs on fashion products fall from 20% to zero% after the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) takes effect, Vietnamese fashion brands are expected to encounter significant challenges.

Vietnam shipped abroad phones and phone components worth US$30.18 billion last year, up 27.9% from a year earlier, according to the General Department of Customs.

Vietnam saw 8,320 new enterprises begin operations, with total capital of VND59.3 trillion (US$2.7 billion) in the first month of this year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

 PetroVietnam Southern Gas (PGS) approved the divestment of its 14.9 million shares, a 55.2% stake, in natural gas producer CNG Vietnam Joint Stock Company (CNG) on January 27.

Standard Chartered Bank expects Vietnam’s GDP growth to accelerate to 6.9% in 2016, higher than its previous forecast of 6.6% driven by better construction activity and manufacturing strength amidst continued strength in FDI inflows. 

It is necessary to define differences between the country’s Bidding Law and commitments concerning government procurement stated in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), so as to make suitable adjustments, said an economic expert.

 Vietnam is considered the country to reap the most benefit in apparel, footwear, agro-forestry and seafood exports from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, said the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso).

VOV.VN -Exports of footwear and related items showed robust development for 2015, said speakers at a recent meeting of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso) in Hanoi.

BKAV started a program recently on the Bphone fanpage that allow customers to exchange their old smartphone for a new Bphone, saying the idea came from consumers.

Nearly 200 home appliance shops opened in 2015 as retailers expanded their business at ‘lightening speed’.

Only six agricultural enterprises in Vietnam have been recognized as using high technology.

The Spring Fair 2016 takes place at the Giang Vo Exhibition and Fair Centre in Hanoi from January 27 to February 5.

VOV.VN - The following product groups represent the highest dollar value of Vietnam’s purchases from Thailand last year, according to General Department of Vietnam Customs statistics.

Vietnam drew more than US$1.3 billion in newly-registered and additional capital from foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in January, up 101.2 percent against the same period last year.

The biggest Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in Vietnam’s banking sector was officially applied at the State-owned Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) on January 26. 

VOV.VN - Malaysian companies are the seventh leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam, having cumulatively registered funding of US$13.5 billion in 523 ventures through 2015, reports the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA).

Vietnamese shares on January 26 pulled back from a four-year jump early this week as a sharp fall in oil prices dragged down investor confidence on global markets.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) will issue instructions about loans for property when seeking mortgages, in a bid to clear misunderstandings, a representative said. 

VOV.VN - Schneider Electric Vietnam on January 26 began the first phase of construction on a new manufacturing plant in Saigon Hi-tech Park in Ho Chi Minh city with an investment capital of US$45 million. 

VOV.VN - Ben Tre province has 5,500 hectares under green-skin grapefruit cultivation for domestic consumption and export. Green-skin grapefruits have increased local incomes and boosted new rural development. 

While remedial measures are necessary following strong liberalisation of trade, the protection of domestic steel producers' interests while applying these measures is a problem, industry insiders have said.