(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.

(VOV) - Hanoi hosted a July 15 seminar discussing Myanmar’s emerging opportunities and potential for investment opportunities.

(VOV) - PAN Services has been honoured with the 2013 Vietnam Brands Competition’s “Famous Brand” award in Hanoi on July 14recognising its enviable industrial cleaning service and other facility service record over the past 20 years.

(VOV) - Vietnam considers its neighbouring countries as potentially lucrative export markets. After securing a firm foothold in Cambodia, domestic businesses are gearing up to promote trade and investment in Laos.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on the Mekong Delta’s agricultural sector to promote large-scale production, change growth models and strengthen production links.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan on July 11 chaired an online working session with central Ha Tinh province to review the results of human resources training for Vung Ang economic zone.

(VOV) - Can Tho City on July 11 launched a Swiss-funded programme designed to improve the export competitiveness of small and medium-sized Vietnamese enterprises (SMEs) through a local trade promotion system over the 2013–2016 period.

Overseas remittances to Vietnam through banks in Ho Chi Minh City hit US$1.9 billion in the first half of this year, 3 percent higher than the same period last year.

(VOV) - Handbag exports have grown impressively with many companies investing in outsourced work for famous products bearing international brand names.

(VOV) - Five Vietnamese businesses have sold more than 2,693 tonnes of rice to Mexico since early this year.

The country’s production and business activities are expected to improve in the second half of the year, according to a survey released by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in Ho Chi Minh City on July 9.

Businesses in the northern province of Quang Ninh would benefit from penetrating the Dubai market, said economists at a seminar on July 9. 

(VOV) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong have attended a ceremony inaugurating the TH true MILK factory in central Nghe An province’s Nghia Dan district on July 9.

(VOV) - Vietnam’s trade office in Malaysia has reported export turnover to the Malaysian market totalled US$1.97 billion after the first six months of the year, up 23.2 percent from 2012’s same period.

(VOV) - A July 9 conference was held in Hanoi to review the Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme in South and Southeast Asia (RFLP).

(VOV) - Investment Minister Bui Quang Vinh has promised Vietnam will continue offering foreign investors appropriate incentives in a manner that benefits both the nation and investors themselves.

(VOV) - Vietnam exported 383,000 tonnes of rubber worth US$976 million in the first half of 2013, down 5.0 percent in volume and 19.2 percent in value against the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).  

A seminar was co-organised by the Vietnam - Germany Friendship Association (VGFA) and Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung (FES) in Hanoi on July 3 to discuss the Euro crisis and the future of Europe.

(VOV) - The country’s export turnover is expected to reach US$127 billion this year, one billion higher than the set target, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

(VOV) -Indonesian cement company PT Semen Tbk’s (SMGR) has announced a plan to expand its operations in Vietnam.

(VOV) - Vietnam’s seafood export earnings in 2013 are likely to reach US$6.5 billion, an increase of US$300 million against last year’s figure.