Vietnam Morning News For December 28

Ministry permits 200,000 tonnes of iron ore exports
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has allowed Viet Phat Company in the northern province of Lao Cai to export 200,000 tonnes of limonite ore to ease the company’s financial burden.
— Bizhub

Vietnam-grown star apples head for US
The first shipment of fresh Vietnam-grown star apples bound for the U.S. was officially approved for import on Tuesday, marking the first time the fruit had made its way to the American market after ten years of negotiation.
— Tuoi Tre

Nearly 8 billion USD of forestry products exported in 2017
Exports of forestry products increased by 9.2 percent from 2016 to 7.97 billion USD in 2017, according to the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNForest).
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam’s economy grows 6.81 pct in 2017
Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) is poised to expand 6.81 percent this year, surpassing the target of 6.7 percent, the country’s General Statistics Office announced on Wednesday.
— Xinhua

Vietnam’s Economic Growth Will Accelerate In 2018 As Investors Flood The Country
The forecasts are in and Vietnam can gloat again after a scare in early 2017.
— Forbes

Vietnam jails 15 over alleged plot to blow up an airport
A Vietnamese court on Wednesday sentenced 15 people to multiple years in jail for plotting to bomb the country’s biggest airport in the southern city of Ho Chi Minh, media reported.
— Reuters

Vietnam to try former oil executives in widened crackdown
Vietnam will put on trial nearly two dozen former senior oil executives, state media reported Wednesday, as communist authorities widen their crackdown on corruption.
— Business Insider

Vietnam to develop HCM City into major hub Southeast Asia
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved an adjustment plan to build Ho Chi Minh City into a major urban hub with dynamic and sustainable development, playing a crucial role in Southeast Asia’s development.
— Xinhua

Japan returns as top investor in Vietnam
Japan became Vietnam’s biggest foreign direct investor in 2017, reclaiming the crown from South Korea after a three-year gap.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Lam Dong discusses ways to attract FDI
The Central Highlands Province of Lam Dong organised a seminar to discuss ways to achieve its economic potential and attract investment in Da Lat City on on Tuesday.
— Bizhub

Vietnam 2017 coffee exports estimated down 20.1 pct y/y, rice up 21.9 pct
Vietnam’s coffee exports for 2017 are estimated to have fallen 20.1 percent from the previous year, while rice shipments have risen 21.9 percent, the government said on Wednesday.
— Tuoi Tre

Nhan Co aluminum plant surpasses yearly target
Nhan Co aluminum plant under the Vietnam National Coal – Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin)’s Dak Nong aluminum company produced 501,000 tonnes of aluminum during its first year of operation, 104 percent of its target.
— Vietnam Plus

Textile industry dyeing for capacity
Leading Taiwanese apparel maker Eclat Fabrics has requested permission to increase dyeing production capacity in its Ba Ria-Vung Tau factory from 10% of the factory’s output to 100 per cent, amid concerns from local authorities regarding the risk of adverse impacts on the environment of the Thi Vai River.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Over 153,000 firms open in 2017
The number of newly-established firms, along with firms resuming operations, set a record in 2017 with more than 153,000 companies with total registered capital of VND3.16 quadrillion (US$139 billion).
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam’s cryptocurrency market remains active despite ban
Vietnam’s decision to outlaw the supply and use of cryptocurrency does not stop bitcoin investors and enthusiasts from actively engaging in trade and transactions with the digital money.
— Tuoi Tre

NFSC: 2017 credit growth at 18.7-19.3%
Growth in long-term credit slowing, according to National Financial Supervisory Commission.
— Vietnam Economic Times

JSC. Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam joins SWIFT gpi
SWIFT announces today that JSC. Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) signed up for its global payments innovation initiative, SWIFT gpi, confirming its digital banking strategy.
— Markets Insider

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