(VOV) - A project to connect and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was officially kick-started on July 19 under the sponsorship of the US embassy in Vietnam.

Vietnam posted a trade surplus of US$8.3 billion with the US in the first half of the year, representing an 18.5 per cent year-on-year increase.

A conference was held in the central province of Ha Tinh on July 19 to boost trade and investment among Vietnamese, Thai and Lao companies.

Singapore has become the sixth largest trading partner of Vietnam, after China, Japan, the US, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan.

The Saigon Hi-tech Park (SHTP) will offer incentives to attract support industries as it seeks to achieve the city's target of 40% value addition to products made locally, according to its deputy head.

(VOV) - The Government on July 16 asked the State President to approve a loan and grant agreements for the Greater Mekong Subregion Southern Coastal Corridor Project (GMS-SCC) with additional financing between the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

(VOV) - Strengthening competitive capacity for Vietnam’s agricultural and seafood products was discussed at a seminar in Hanoi on July 17.

Vietnam has called on more investors from other ASEAN countries to get involved in maritime shipping, sea port and logistics services.

(VOV) - Despite the impact of the global economic downturn, the northern province of Ha Nam is optimistic about foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows.

(VOV) - The US leading fast-food corporation, MacDonald’s has announced that it will have its first franchise store set up in HCM City.