Nguyen Thi Xuan Thuy, director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Centre for Supporting Industrial Development, said at a recent forum that Vietnam’s textile industry is still dependent on import of production inputs. The country plans to have 30,000-76,000 hectares under cotton crops in the 2015-2020 period, but had only 1,000 ha in 2017, and cotton production that year was only 1,000 tons against a target of 20,000-60,000 tons, she said. The country targets annual fabric production of one billion meters but there is no allocation of funds for it, and so most material has to be imported for production, Thuy noted. Vietnam imports half the raw material for production from China, and this means its textile products would not enjoy zero import tariffs under the trade pacts it has signed, she added. But local feedstock producers struggle to sell domestically. Vu Huy Dong, CEO of thread producer Dam San, said 90 percent of his output is exported to China. "Chinese … [Read more...] about Textile sector stuck at bottom of value chain
Textile sectors
VEPG addresses key policy development processes for energy sector
The highlight of this high-level meeting was the presentation of the VEPG Progress Report 2019 and the approval of the report by the VEPG chair and co-chairs. The report analysed the progress in the implementation of the 40 policy recommendations formulated by the five VEPG Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and adopted at the VEPG's second high-level meeting on November 26, 2018 Deputy Miniter of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An emphasised the persistent challenges in the energy sector that require joint efforts and support in 2020 and beyond. “The Vietnamese energy sector is of key importance for the development of the Vietnamese economy and the welfare of the people. It is of utmost importance to have strong and forward-thinking strategies in place to support Vietnam’s transition to a modern, green, and inclusive economy,” he said. He added that, “We are committed to this task and welcome the support from the VEPG and the international development partners and … [Read more...] about VEPG addresses key policy development processes for energy sector
Real estate sees rise in M&A deals
A corner of the Phu My Hung residential area in District 7, HCM City (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Since the Investment Law took effect in July 2015, Vietnam’s FDI inflows, and the real estate sector in particular, have significantly increased in terms of merger and acquisition (M&A) activities. Statistics released at the Vietnam M&A Forum in Ho Chi Minh City in August 2018 showed that in the first five months of the year, the total value of M&A transactions in the Vietnamese market had reached 3.55 billion USD, equivalent to 155 percent of the figure recorded in the same period last year. Of the sum, property deals made up 66.75 percent. Meanwhile, in 2017, M&A deals were valued at 10.2 billion USD, up 175 percent against 2016, with real estate accounting for only 27 percent following consumer goods production with 57 percent. Therefore, the numbers reported in the first half of the year demonstrate that the real estate sector has attracted greater … [Read more...] about Real estate sees rise in M&A deals
JP Morgan bullish on Vietnamese banks thanks to high growth, profitability
Vietnamese banks are expected to deliver 15 per cent to 21 per cent return on equity over the next two years. — Photo VCB The Vietnamese banking sector is an attractive investment opportunity because it is generating a lot of capital and growing fast, according to a senior banker at JP Morgan. It is a rare combination where Vietnamese banks are growing fast and are quite profitable, Harsh Modi, co-head of Asia ex-Japan for financials research at the investment bank, told CNBC. As such, they are able to sustain high growth without needing too much capital for long periods of time “The return on equity that they’re generating is quite high. The return is higher than balance sheet growth,” Modi said. "What that implies is Vietnamese banks theoretically do not need to raise capital to fund current growth, but they do so, anyway, for purposes like having higher capital ratios and satisfying regulatory requirements." As a result, without putting in a lot of money, … [Read more...] about JP Morgan bullish on Vietnamese banks thanks to high growth, profitability
Vietnam facilitates trade with Russian firms: Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung (R) shakes hands with Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vukov. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Government always endorses and creates favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Russian enterprises to boost cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said on December 11. Receiving Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Konstantin Vukov, Deputy PM Dung expressed his hope that a multitude of business and trade initiatives will be carried out between the two sides, helping develop the Vietnam – Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a deeper and more effective manner. He said he rejoiced at the fruitful partnership, particularly in the fields of economy, trade and investment. Vietnam has become the largest trade partner of Russia in the ASEAN bloc as two-way trade reached 4.5 billion USD in 2018, up 30 percent from the previous year, he said, adding that a wide range of activities have been held during the … [Read more...] about Vietnam facilitates trade with Russian firms: Deputy PM