(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.

US insurer Prudential has bought 30-year bonds issued by the Vietnamese government at a whopping VND500 billion (US$22.32 million) and pledged to increase the investment by 12 times within this year.

The revenue of Ninh Van Bay real estate company in 2015 dropped by nearly 30% to VND148 billion over the same period. The company recorded a loss after tax of VND81 billion.

Eight dairy importers and producers in Vietnam may be able to escape back taxes of VND700 billion (US$30.69 million) in a controversial case of import tariff calculations that even officials cannot see eye to eye on.

Starbucks Reserve coffee grown in Cau Dat District, Dalat City has been made available for guests to order at Starbucks stores in Vietnam.

Hankyung Economic Times of the Republic of Korea (RoK) has reported that AON Holdings - a Korean financial group - will take control of Vietnam's tallest building - Keangnam Landmark 72 in Hanoi.

Vietnam’s transport minister has called for lower airfares to match a sharp decline in fuel costs, but carriers say their tickets are already affordable. 

Executives of American retail giant Walmart are expected to meet around 50 domestic suppliers in the textile, footwear, furniture and food industries in HCMC next week to look for products for its stores.

The new exchange rate mechanism will not make any remarkable impact on the Vietnamese real estate market, assured an expert from the CBRE Vietnam. 

Foreign firms are set to capitalise on Vietnam's privatisation drive and buy into assets such as Vinamilk and Mobifone to gain exposure to its fast-growing economy this year, boosting M&A deals that already hit a record US$4 billion in 2015.

The Vietnam Software and IT Services Association (VINASA) officially kicked off the 2016 Sao Khue Awards on January 6.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) would receive support to promote their innovations and enhance competitiveness at home and global markets, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong said.

Tuna exports are expected to increase by 8% this year to US$507 million, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (VASEP).

Can Tho city must pay more attention to disbursement for the World Bank-funded Mekong Delta Region Urban Upgrading Project, which is scheduled to finish in 2017, Hoang Thi Hoa, an expert from the bank, said on January 6.

The northern province of Bac Ninh authorities presented an investment licence to Singaporean apparel marker Maple on January 6.

The Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long launched a cooperation project with Dagan group from Israel on January 6.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment gathered feedback on its draft strategy for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) development during 2016-2020 at a workshop on January 6.

Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang urged joint efforts to be made to ensure top security for the Dung Quat Oil Refinery – a national work of economic, political and security significance - during a working session with the plant’s management board on January 6.

The Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) anticipates a turnover of VND110 trillion (US$4.8 billion) this year, along with an average salary of VND9.1 million (US$404) per worker.

(VOV) - The formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) represents a springboard for further development of Vietnam and Thailand economic cooperation and trade relations, offering significant benefit for the two nations’ peoples. 

Thai Ministry of Commerce on January 4 projected that national shipments to foreign countries will grow 5% in 2016 after years of contraction.

Officially operating in Vietnam since the 1990s, Nestlé S.A, headquarted in Switzerland, which is one of the biggest food and beverage manufacturers of the world, was among the first international companies present in Vietnam.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in Vietnam, an indicator of manufacturing performance, increased from 49.4 in November to 51.3 in December, according to a Nikkei report, released early this week.

(VOV) - Indian businesses considers Vietnam a potential import market of their dye and basic chemicals, said S. G. Bharadi, the Acting Executive Director of the Indian Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL).

The warming of the domestic economy combined with the fall in fuel prices have brought about record-high revenue and profits for most Vietnamese air carriers in 2015.

(VOV) - Vietnam imported more than 1.25 million tons of steel last December, bringing the total imports volume in 2015 to more than 15 million tons which was valued at US$7.3 billion, according to latest statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam set a record in attracting foreign direct investment capital in 2015, with a total sum of newly registered and expanded capital of US$22.75 billion. Among these, there are four billion-dollar projects exceptionally worthy of attention.

Experts said that Vietnam can take full advantage of Japanese auto manufacturers’ support and Vietnamese businesses could, as a result, become second-class car part suppliers to Toyota and other foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs).

The beverage industry contributed VND30 trillion (US$1.3 billion) to the State budget last year, according to the Vietnam Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Association (VBA).

The Ministry of Science and Technology held a ceremony to announce a series of events titled "20 years of the Vietnam National Quality Award 1996 -2016" in Hanoi on January 5.