China optimistic about ASEAN market
Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced on Thursday that significant progress has been made in the negotiations for the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0.
Chinese Premier Li Quiang (center) arrives in Laos talking up the need for stronger connections with ASEAN, September 2024. Photo courtesy of AP.
Speaking at the 27th ASEAN-China Summit in Vientiane, Laos, the Chinese Premier highlighted that market resources are the strongest advantage shared by both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, especially amid rising global uncertainties.
Li emphasized that both ASEAN and Chinese markets are continuing to expand and open up, but warned that the global economic recovery still faces challenges, including declining global demand.
On the same day, the Chinese Premier held talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the East Asia cooperation meetings.
Li noted that China-Australia relations have stabilized recently, with both countries increasing cooperation in various sectors and boosting exchanges at local and people-to-people levels, signaling a promising future for their relationship.
Following their meeting, PM Albanese announced that China will lift its ban on Australian lobster imports, marking the end of the trade dispute between the two nations. Both sides agreed on a timeline to fully restore lobster trade by the end of this year.
- Read More
Vietnamese firm lands first $1 mln order on Alibaba after 8-year struggle to export
After five months of operating a virtual storefront on Alibaba’s B2B e-commerce platform, Sukavina Co., Ltd., a Binh Duong province-based manufacturer of metal tables, chairs, and beds, secured its first international order, marking a significant milestone in the company’s eight-year journey to global markets.
Companies - Fri, May 30, 2025 | 9:00 am GMT+7
Vietnam's telco giant Viettel signs deal with France’s John Cockerill Defense
Viettel High Tech, the core military and civilian R&D arm of Vietnam’s military-run telecom giant Viettel, has signed a cooperation agreement with John Cockerill Defense, a leading weapon designer and manufacturer in France.
Companies - Thu, May 29, 2025 | 9:14 pm GMT+7
MB showcases comprehensive financial solution Biz MBBank at Digital Transformation Day event
Vietnam's leading bank MB on Thursday introduced its latest digital technology solutions, notably the Biz MBBank digital financial platform, at the "Smart Digital Ecosystem in the New Era" event organized by the central bank.
Companies - Thu, May 29, 2025 | 8:02 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's auto distributor TMT to launch $3.8 mln charging station firm
Vietnamese auto distributor TMT Motors has announced the establishment of a charging station company with a charter capital of VND100 billion ($3.84 million).
Companies - Thu, May 29, 2025 | 4:45 pm GMT+7
US's Excelerate Energy affirms intention to turn Vietnam into LNG hub for ASEAN
Excelerate Energy wants to make Vietnam a center for LNG distribution to the ASEAN region, president and CEO Steven Kobos told Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at a meeting in Hanoi on Thursday.
Energy - Thu, May 29, 2025 | 4:33 pm GMT+7
Bourse shifts to heat up Vietnam's banking stocks
Several Vietnamese banks are planning to move their shares from the Unlisted Public Companies Market (UPCoM) to the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) this year, creating new momentum for banking stocks, long dubbed the “king” group.
Finance - Thu, May 29, 2025 | 2:48 pm GMT+7
Dairy giant TH Group proposes 5 projects in southern Vietnam
TH Group, one of Vietnam’s leading dairy producers, has proposed five major projects in the southern province of Binh Phuoc, in the fields of industrial production and urban area, golf course and high-tech agricultural production zone developments.
Industries - Thu, May 29, 2025 | 12:02 pm GMT+7
2024 cyberattack 'a blessing in disguise' for Vietnam's leading broker VNDirect: chairwoman
The cybersecurity breach that major Vietnamese brokerage VNDirect Securities encountered in 2024 was "an unfortunate incident, but also a lucky chance", chairwoman Pham Minh Huong said on Wednesday.
Finance - Thu, May 29, 2025 | 9:48 am GMT+7
Vietnam prioritizes smart, green seaport projects: Deputy PM
Vietnam encourages smart and green seaport investments, as technical barriers related to CO2 emissions and CO2 taxes begin to be tightened up globally.
Infrastructure - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 10:07 pm GMT+7
New Zealand, Vietnam expand timber trade partnership
New Zealand Forestry and Trade Minister Todd McClay on Tuesday unveiled a new bilateral agreement with Vietnam designed to boost timber exports and remove potential trade barriers in the two countries' forestry sectors.
Companies - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 8:53 pm GMT+7
Norway vows to support Vietnam's energy transition
Norway is committed to supporting Vietnam’s energy transition, Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken said at a technical seminar held in Hanoi on Wednesday.
Companies - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 8:49 pm GMT+7
Thailand expected to become regional luxury retail hub
Thailand's luxury retail market is valued at $4.4 billion and projected to grow by approximately 5% annually through 2028, placing the country at the forefront of luxury retail in Southeast Asia and seventh in Asia-Pacific, according to property consultant CBRE Thailand.
Southeast Asia - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 8:44 pm GMT+7
Indonesia affirms role as leading global maritime hub
The Indonesia Maritime Expo, held as part of Indonesia Maritime Week 2025 on May 26-28, is the first large-scale maritime event in the country, aiming to affirm its role as a global maritime hub and promote the sustainable development of the region’s maritime industry.
Southeast Asia - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 8:41 pm GMT+7
Vietnam benchmark VN-Index hits 3-year high
The VN-Index, which represents the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), recorded a four-day gaining streak on Wednesday, rising 2.06 points, or 0.15%, to 1,341.87 points - the highest since May 2022.
Finance - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 6:37 pm GMT+7
HSBC launches sustainability improvement loan in Vietnam
HSBC has introduced its Sustainability Improvement Loan, a new financing solution tailored for businesses with annual turnover less than $550 million, in Vietnam, after launching it in 12 markets including the UK, Middle East, Hong Kong and Singapore last year.
Banking - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 6:15 pm GMT+7
CMA CGM, Saigon Newport to jointly develop deep-sea terminal in northern Vietnam
France's CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, has signed a partnership agreement with Vietnam's Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) to develop a deep-water terminal in Hai Phong city, northern Vietnam.
Infrastructure - Wed, May 28, 2025 | 5:01 pm GMT+7
