Vietinbank and PG Bank did not finalise procedures to merge in 2015 as planned, according to Vietinbank's Chairman Nguyen Van Thang.

(VOV) - The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Ho Chi Minh City representatives will meet with nearly 100 businesses in Vietnam on January 15 to discuss measures to bring a wide range of Vietnamese goods and agricultural products to consumers in the US Walmart’s key retail markets in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Chile.

Vietnam's second largest mobile network operator MobiFone has acquired 95% of stake in Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG), an official told local media on January 7 after completing negotiations.

The Tuan Chau Group will build an entertainment, tourism and real estate complex with total investment capital of VND3 trillion (US$133 million) in Dien Ban town in the central province of Quang Nam later this year.

A number of banks are joining a race to hike interest rates for short-term deposits in Vietnam dong by 20 to 80 basis points, coupled with promotion programs, to mobilize more capital for higher lending demand ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday (Tet).

(VOV) - Rice exports have thrived from early this year as the signed contracts remain effective while import demand is high.

On January 11, Vietnam Motors Industry Corporation (Vinamotor), Vietnam’s biggest bus manufacturer, will conduct an auction to sell 85.6 million state-owned shares, equalling a 97.7% its total stakes, at the initial price of VND14,612 (US$0.64) per share.

Eight dairy firms would not have to pay extra value-added and import taxes totaling hundreds of billions of Vietnam dong for their Anhydrous Milkfat (AMF) imports if the Government okays a Ministry of Finance proposal.

The Vietnam government could sell stakes in some large state-owned enterprises this year, including network provider Mobifone and brewer Sabeco, a finance ministry official said.

Economists said the domestic real estate market is benefiting from stable macroeconomics.

The cumulative export turnover of the agro-forestry-fisheries products reached US$140.6 billion from 2011 to 2015, with an average annual growth rate of 9%.

A series of preferential policies and investment incentives will be given to investors who open new flights to Phu Bai international airport, according to the People’s Committee of central Thua Thien-Hue province.

Hanoi’s agricultural sector has been on the move to develop animal husbandry, processing and agricultural services instead of enlarging cultivation, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Xuan Viet said at a conference held in Hanoi on January 7.

The Management Board of the Ho Chi Minh City-based Saigon High-tech Park granted the first investment licences to three projects worth nearly US$100 million in total.

Confectionary makers are ready to supply plentiful, quality products at reasonable prices during Tet (Lunar New Year) that falls in early February this time.

Panasonic Vietnam will consider investing more in the country in the future, General Director Eiji Fukumori said at a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on January 7 to unveil the new-generation FSV – EX air conditioning system.

The private carrier Vietjet Air is set to add over 800 flights, starting from January 20 to February 20 to meet travel demand during Lunar New Year 2016.

Vietnam is joining Thailand, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines in a pilot project for self-certification of goods origin, which is seen as an important step for Vietnamese businesses to make deeper inroads into countries participating in free trade agreements (FTAs).

The Ministry of Finance has proposed a standard tax rate for anhydrous butter fat (ABF) and anhydrous milk fat (AMF), two different kinds of materials for processing milk products.

International standard compliance played an important role for enterprises in general and handicraft enterprises in particular in the context of integration, an official said at an exporters association meeting on January 7. 

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat has asked for the restructuring of crop production in order to further develop the agricultural sector.

Vietnam’s METRO Group announced on January 7 that Thailand’s TCC Group finalised procedures in the purchase of METRO Cash& Carry Vietnam.

(VOV) - Starting January 7, FPT shoppers can sign up to purchase an Apple Watch for delivery beginning January 22 at all F.Studio outlets or alternatively make their purchase online at http://fptshop.com.vn/smartwatch/apple-watch.

(VOV) - The latest figures from the US Department of Commerce Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) show the volume of US clothing and fashion imports from all sources grew 4.8% year-on-year in September 2015.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) on January 7 announced the central rate for the Vietnam dong and the US dollar at VND21,919 per USD, an increase of VND12 compared to January 6.

HSBC maintains its 2016 GDP forecast of 6.7% year-on-year for Vietnam as the dual engine of domestic demand and exports are expected to stay strong.

Port operator Sai Gon Newport Corporation hopes to handle 6.06 million TEUs (equivalent to 80.6 million tonnes) of cargo this year, 13% higher than last year.

Housing transactions in Hanoi last year hit a record 21,100, surpassing the sector’s peak in 2009, according to property service provider CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) Vietnam .

Experts have a positive outlook for the economy in 2016, which is the first year in the five-year socio-economic development plan and also marks the start of a new period in the integration process when a series of free trade agreements take effect.

(VOV) - Weak growth among major emerging markets will weigh on global growth in 2016, but economic activity should still pick up modestly to a 2.9% pace, from 2.4% growth in 2015, as advanced economies gain speed, according to the World Bank’s January 2016 Global Economic Prospects.