VietNamNet Bridge – The second round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and South Korea will begin in this quarter and is likely to produce positive results.

Local authorities have been hurriedly preparing for the race to attract foreign direct investment (FDI). Meanwhile, Vietnam, at the national level, still has not got ready for the competition with other regional countries.

Asiana Airlines to own 50% of Kumho Asiana Plaza; VinaPhone, MobiFone merger remains uncertain; Local firm says smartphone market will grow strongly; Power price hikes inevitable; Vietnam’s top 500 businesses revealed

All localities have geared up for the race to lure more foreign investors, especially when economists have predicted a new foreign direct investment wave heading for Vietnam.

Dr. Phan Huu Thang, director of National Economics University’s Centre for Foreign Investment Studies, discusses the role of foreign business associations in helping state agencies combat transfer pricing for tax evasion by some multinationals.

Property firms hit the wall; Push into S Korea needs support; Amata Vietnam joins Thai bourse; Southern agricultural producers get new VietGap certificate; Preferential tariffs – a boon for exporters; EVN forced to buy power from China

Fund to help track development goals; Gov’t gets tough on State business equitisation; Cash to dominate real estate market in 2013; Largest tourist complex to open; Ministry may import eggs to meet demand for Tet

A lot of huge projects which were halted due to the foreign investors’ financial problems, have been restarted, which is believed to help warm up the national economy.

The expanded investment projects will also be able to enjoy the investment incentives like the ones given before to the initial projects, if the proposal of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is ratified by the National Assembly.

VietNamNet Bridge – There are some 50 establishments that provide electronic games for prizes to foreigners in Vietnam. The revenue from the services has been increasing steadily. The figure was VND5 trillion in 2011.

It’s understandable why the US Starbucks decided to set up its first shop in Vietnam in HCM City, a commercial hub. Meanwhile, it’s enigmatic why it did not choose a Vietnamese partner, but a Hong Kong one-- Maxim’s Group.

The foreign direct investment (FDI) in the real estate sector in HCM City decreased sharply in 2012. However, experts say this is not bad news at all.

Vietnam will put greater effort into decentralisation model’s feasibility and effectiveness by strengthening state agencies’ coordination and management in a bid to improve the quality of foreign direct investment inflows to the country.

Retail industry draws investors; MoF to refund tax on plastic bags; Garment makers optimistic for 2013; Southern trade bloc does well; Mergers, acquisitions expected to boom this year; Dung Quat oil refinery targets 6.5 million tonnes of products

 VietNamNet Bridge – Despite global and domestic challenges, Viet Nam has still gained significant external economic achievements in 2012, especially in terms of FDI, ODA, export, import and international arrivals.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic sector continues to spread its roots despite turbulent economic times.

Govt leaders outline FDI roadmap to boost growth; SBV submits asset management plan; Thai company acquires majority stake in tile firm; State-owned food processor to divest from affiliates; Monetary policies stabilise economy

More and more foreign direct investment (FDI) projects have been found as making no move since the day of licensing, because their investors cannot arrange capital for the project implementation in the economic crisis.

ADB grants $251m loans to Viet Nam; HCM City districts call for delayed projects to be cancelled; Agro-forestry and aquatic exports earn US$27.5 billion; Foreign direct investment pledges go down

The Government should grant an exclusive license for casino operation to a big investor, or issue licenses to a limited number of foreign investors in order to successfully attract foreign direct investment into this sensitive field.