More foreign tourists visit Viet Nam

Wed, 03/31/2004 - 11:59


(03/31/2004 -- 17:41GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 28 (VNA) - In the first quarter of this year, nearly 744,000 foreign tourists came to Viet Nam, a 4.3 percent rise over the same period last year.

In March alone, Viet Nam's smokeless industry saw a 3.1 percent rise to 223,130 visitors.

Vietnam prepares for 8th round of WTO talks

Wed, 03/31/2004 - 11:58

Radio Voice of Vietnam

Vietnamese law-makers met with international experts on Monday for the first time to discuss Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The discussions aimed to facilitate a National Assembly plan to amend and approve laws in accordance with WTO rules. The participants also joined in a live hook-up discussion with Swiss and Vietnamese representatives to the WTO on opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam should it become an official WTO member.

Vietnam committed to boosting foreign bank branches' operation

Wed, 03/31/2004 - 11:55


Vietnam New Agency - March 31, 2004

Ha Noi, Mar. 31 (VNA) - The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) recent decision to allow foreign bank branches and joint venture banks to freely open accounts at overseas banks aims to boost their operation in Viet Nam, said an SBV official.

Kieu Huu Dung, Acting Director of the SBV's Department for Banks and Non-bank Credit Organisations, said the move was part of the bank's on-going efforts to create a level playing field for all financial institutions in Viet Nam.

Improve foreign investment policies: deputy PM

Tue, 03/30/2004 - 12:15



HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan told ministries and regions to improve the country’s foreign investment environment or risk falling behind the rest of Asia.

Addressing a conference on Monday, Khoan said to reach Viet Nam’s target of 8 per cent GDP this year, the country needed more foreign direct investment (FDI).

"At present, Viet Nam’s investment environment and policies are much better than they were in the 1990s," said Khoan.

Foreign investments in Viet Nam reach $714 million in 1st quarter

Tue, 03/30/2004 - 09:23


(03/30/2004 -- 19:14GMT+7)

Ha Noi, March 30 (VNA)- Viet Nam granted licenses to 120 foreign-invested projects with a combined registered investment of 420 million USD in the first three months of the year, said the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The number of projects decreased 37 percent year on year, but the amount of investments rose by 11 percent, the MPI added.

Vietnam to remove stock market's 30% foreign investor limit

Mon, 03/29/2004 - 13:14



The Associated Press

Vietnam will lift a cap on the amount of stock foreigners can own in listed companies in an attempt to attract more investment from abroad, a government official said Monday.

Last July, Vietnam allowed foreign investors to own a maximum of 30 percent of companies listed on the market, up from the 20 percent limit that had been in place since the country's stock exchange was launched in July 2000.

MPI proposes measures to attract foreign investment

Mon, 03/29/2004 - 13:09

Radio Voice of Vietnam

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has proposed a score of measures to further attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and improve the investment environment at a conference in Hanoi on Monday.

According to a report delivered by Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Bich Dat, by 2003, Vietnam had licensed more than 5,400 FDI projects, of which 4,376 are currently operational, totalling US$41 billion. Industrial parks and export processing zones attracted about 1,400 FDI projects, capitalised at US$11.15 billion.

A project to popularise IT in Viet Nam

Mon, 03/29/2004 - 13:06


(03/29/2004 -- 16:58GMT+7)

Ha Noi, Mar. 29 (VNA) - Viet Nam's government has okayed a project worth one billion USD to purchase computers and train their users across the country.

The project aims to popularise information technology (IT) for about 20 million of citizens, mostly young people for the current process of national modernisation and industrialsation.

In a meeting held last week, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai said he agreed in principle to assign Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to carry out the project.

Govt to revise intellectual property laws

Mon, 03/29/2004 - 12:50

March 26, 2004

HA NOI — A new law that would streamline earlier intellectual property legislation is in the works, said Tran Viet Hung, deputy head of the National Office of Intellectual Property.

Viet Nam’s intellectual property regulations are adequate and nearly meet the requirements of the World Trade Organisation.

Foreign investors suggest HCM City focus on policy consistency

Mon, 03/22/2004 - 12:32


(03/22/2004 -- 16:58GMT+7)

HCM City, Mar. 22 (VNA)- Tax rates, capital market development and investment licensing were major concerns of foreign investors who requested Ho Chi Minh City authorities to focus on consistency and transparency in policy making at a meeting last week.

“Foreign investors need clear tax laws and regulations with minimal changes and consistent enforcement”, Richard Irwin of Pricewaterhouse Coopers said at the meeting, the second since October 2002 which was part of the city’s initiatives to attract foreign investment.

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