The government’s proposal to collect dividends from the shares it holds in state owned enterprises (SOEs) has got prompt approval from the National Assembly. Economists have commented that the decision should have been made earlier.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Policy loopholes are the cause of the most dangerous types of corruption, according to National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Minh Thuyet while talking with Ha Noi Moi (New Ha Noi) newspaper.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The profits made by the state owned conglomerates operating in the key business fields are believed to be undeserving to the huge capital and power given to them.

 VietNamNet Bridge – In 2014, the government will drastically restructure state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and a series of large SOEs will perform initial public offerings (IPO) and listing.

 Gov’t to borrow VND100 trillion through bond sales; HSBC forecasts bright year for Vietnamese exports; Stock market offers rich opportunities; Grounds for optimism as market thaws; Textile exports forecast to grow

 VietNamNet Bridge – More than 400 State-owned enterprises (SOEs) declared bankruptcy or were dissolved last year, according to the Ministry of Finance.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Having powerful financial capability and enjoying privileges as state owned enterprises, they still want more power, more capital and more privileges.

 Danang suggests bond issuance; Number of SOEs halved after 13 years; Overseas remittance to HCMC estimated at US$4.8 billion in 2013; FDI sector witnesses large trade surplus; Public debt may account for over 98% of GDP

VietNamNet Bridge – The Government will release a resolution stipulating some special measures to help State-owned groups and corporations to quickly withdraw their investments from non-core sectors,

 VietNamNet Bridge – Investors have arranged big money ready to disburse for the big investment deals once the State sells its stakes in some enterprises.

The government may allow state owned economic groups and general corporations to sell stakes at the prices below the book value as a solution to accelerate the state owned enterprise restructuring process.

Vietnam once missed the opportunity to reform its state owned enterprises (SOEs) when joining WTO. Another opportunity has come when it negotiates for the Trans Pacific Strategic Partnership Agreement.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A government report showed that the127 state owned economic groups and general corporations now incurred the debts worth VND1.35 trillion. However, the huge sum is still believed to be within the safety line.

 VietNamNet Bridge – A tax management crackdown was thought to have resulted in higher tax contributions from foreign-invested enterprises.

 VietNamNet Bridge – Many state corporations have the debt-to-equity ratio of up to a dozen times. Overdue debts of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group or the Vietnam Maritime Corporation are up to trillions of VND.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The latest round of TPP negotiations was wrapped up in Utah, Salt Lake City, the US, on November 26, opening up opportunities for concerned parties to reduce disagreements before the TPP Ministerial Meeting

 VietNamNet Bridge – If counting on the loans of state-owned enterprises’not guaranteed by the government, Vietnam's total public debt would be 95 percent of GDP, far exceeding the safety line of 60 percent of GDP.

 VietNamNet Bridge – The managers of the state owned air carriers, power, petroleum and food corporations still can receive VND1 billion a year despite the bad business performance.

The official statistics by the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs showed that the managers of state owned enterprises (SOEs) earn tens of millions of dong a month. However, analysts believe that the actual figures are much higher.

 VietNamNet Bridge – What should the State do – selling unprofitable state owned enterprises (SOEs) which cannot bring profits any more, or selling profitable SOEs which keep laying golden eggs?