ASEAN seeks to expand RCEP, CPTPP membership
ASEAN is seeking to expand its membership in two key trade agreements - the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as part of efforts to strengthen regional economic integration.
Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency.
Malaysian Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the matter was discussed when he chaired the ASEAN Caucus Meeting held in conjunction with the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Jeju, South Korea
To date, only four ASEAN countries are members of the CPTPP, namely, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, he said.
Tengku Zafrul said the recent United States tariff announcement had a significant impact on intra-ASEAN trade dynamics, as well as that with trading partners, particularly in sectors entrenched in the global supply chains.
During the meeting, he said, ASEAN unanimously reaffirmed its stance to uphold the multilateral trading system and reject any form of unilateralism.
He noted that ASEAN must be firm in upholding multilateralism, a core principle of the World Trade Organisation, to boost regional economic integration.
As part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, Tengku Zafrul said, ASEAN also plans to hold special consultative sessions with major trading partners, starting with China and Japan.
He said the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM)-China Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) as well as AEM-Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Special Consultations will be held on May 20.
- Read More
Vietnam Rubber Group plans capital hikes for listed subsidiaries as earnings climb
Vietnam Rubber Group (HoSE: GVR) plans to raise capital at several of its listed subsidiaries, starting with Phuoc Hoa Rubber, as the state-controlled giant seeks to strengthen its subsidiaries while benefiting from high rubber prices and expanding industrial park operations.
Companies - Wed, June 17, 2026 | 8:14 pm GMT+7
Vinhomes to cease land bank expansion in Vietnam, focus on capitalizing on existing projects
Vietnam’s largest listed property developer Vinhomes, a subsidiary of Vingroup (HoSE: VIC), will stop acquiring new land in the domestic market, shifting its focus toward developing its existing portfolio and extracting greater value from projects already under its control, chairman Pham Thieu Hoa said.
Companies - Wed, June 17, 2026 | 5:19 pm GMT+7
State-controlled machinery firm VEAM announces highest dividend payout in 4 years, stock listing still on hold
Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation (VEAM) plans to pay more than VND6.96 trillion ($264.46 million) in dividends for 2025 at a payout ratio of 52.4%, its record high in four years, while its long-delayed stock exchange listing remains on hold due to unresolved legacy issues.
Companies - Wed, June 17, 2026 | 3:30 pm GMT+7
Aeon Mall Vietnam achieves double-digit growth in 2025, accelerates network expansion
Japan’s retail giant Aeon Mall continued to record strong growth in Vietnam last year while accelerating the expansion of its network in Danang, Thanh Hoa, Quang Ninh, and several other localities across the country.
Economy - Wed, June 17, 2026 | 2:53 pm GMT+7
Palm City project enters new development phase as Palm River subdivision launched
Nam Rach Chiec Company Limited, together with Huong Viet Properties, recently held the Palm City Urban Area kick-off ceremony and officially launched the Palm River subdivision, marking the beginning of a new development phase for the 30.2-hectare urban township in Ho Chi Minh City.
Real Estate - Wed, June 17, 2026 | 11:27 am GMT+7
Petrovietnam's assets top $44.8 bln in 2025, profit jumps 39%
Petrovietnam ended 2025 with total assets exceeding VND1,178 trillion ($44.8 billion), up nearly VND100 trillion ($3.8 billion) from a year earlier, while reporting a 39% increase in net profit and maintaining one of the country's largest cash positions.
Companies - Wed, June 17, 2026 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Coteccons dismisses concerns over executive departure, competition from Vingroup's arm
Vietnam's leading contractor Coteccons (HoSE: CTD) said a recent change in senior management was unrelated to the company's share price performance, as executives highlighted record order backlog and accelerating earnings growth amid a recovery in Vietnam's construction industry.
Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 5:26 pm GMT+7
VinaCapital lists 2 strategic ETFs as Vietnam fund market broadens
Vietnam’s leading investment management firm VinaCapital has listed two strategic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, expanding investment options for investors seeking targeted exposure to Vietnam's long-term economic growth themes.
Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:39 pm GMT+7
Oil & gas industry gives Vietnam edge in offshore wind supply chain: Global Wind Energy Council CEO
Vietnam is well positioned to play a significant role in the offshore wind power supply chain thanks to its established manufacturing base and expertise developed through its oil & gas industry and existing wind power projects, according to Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).
Energy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 4:31 pm GMT+7
Vietnam banking, retail, oil stocks well placed for market recovery: brokerages
Vietnamese banking, retail and oil-gas stocks are among the sectors best positioned to benefit from a potential market recovery after months of pressure from geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic headwinds, according to local brokerages.
Finance - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 1:04 pm GMT+7
Petrovietnam, Huawei discuss cooperation in digital transformation, AI, energy technologies
State-owned Petrovietnam and China's Huawei Technologies discussed potential cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and digital energy infrastructure during a meeting last week, as the Vietnamese giant seeks to modernize its operations and expand into new energy sectors.
Companies - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 12:20 pm GMT+7
Over 38% of Vietnamese businesses still face informal costs despite reforms: survey
More than 38% of businesses in Vietnam still pay informal charges, highlighting persistent gaps between regulatory reforms and their implementation, according to a survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 11:26 am GMT+7
China ready to expand railway, power connectivity with Vietnam: PM
China is prepared to strengthen railway cooperation and enhance power grid connectivity with Vietnam, thereby expanding logistics corridors, trade links, and energy cooperation, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a phone talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Minh Hung on Monday.
Economy - Tue, June 16, 2026 | 8:52 am GMT+7
VN-Index approaches 1,800-point mark as easing Middle East tensions lift sentiment
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index edged closer to the 1,800-point threshold on Monday as improving sentiment over easing tensions in the Middle East boosted risk appetite, driving gains in brokerage stocks while oil and Vingroup-related stocks weighed on the market.
Finance - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 8:34 pm GMT+7
Japanese products dominate Vietnamese consumer trust, but younger shoppers rewriting rules
Japanese products continue to enjoy the highest level of trust among Vietnamese consumers, reinforcing the country’s position as the benchmark for quality and reliability in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing consumer markets, according to a new survey by market research firm Q&Me.
Economy - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 6:48 pm GMT+7
VinEnergo ramps up renewable energy push with 4 new subsidiaries
VinEnergo, the energy arm of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has accelerated its expansion into the power sector, establishing four new subsidiaries within a week as it builds a growing portfolio of renewable energy and infrastructure projects across Vietnam.
Companies - Mon, June 15, 2026 | 4:52 pm GMT+7
