Finance ministry rejects Long Son Petrochemical proposal for higher import taxes
The Ministry of Finance has disagreed with a proposal by Long Son Petrochemicals (LSP), the investor of the $5.4-billion Long Son Petrochemicals Complex, to raise the most-favored nation (MFN) tax on some plastics products from 0% to 3%.
In a ministerial draft document sent for the government’s approval, LSP and its Thai parent firm Siam Cement Group (SCG) suggested a 3% MFN tax rate on imported polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) products, under HS codes 3902.90.90, 3901.10.92, 3901.20.00, and 3901.40.00.

A corner of Long Son Petrochemicals Complex in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Nguoi Lao Dong (Laborer) newspaper.
The ministry clarified that per the investment certificate granted to LSP, some PP and PE products are already subject to 3% MFN tax, except for the ones under the four mentioned HS codes.
Vietnam currently import 1.2 million tons of PP and PE per year under MFN tax, including 600,000 tons for domestic consumption and 600,000 tons for export-oriented production that are not subject to import taxes.
LSP said its yearly output of 420,000-483,000 tons of PP and 525,000 tons of PE can meet domestic demand.
The finance ministry said the tax changes need serious consideration as they may negatively impact businesses that are not supplied by LSP and imports of such products from nations without free trade agreements (FTA) with Vietnam.
The ministry has proposed two solutions. First, the MFN tax can be set at 2%. That would fortify Vietnam’s support and incentive commitments to LSP as specified in its investment registration certificate and facilitate the development of domestic firms in the sector, it noted. However, the increase in tax revenue might be minimal as firms may adapt by importing from countries that hold FTAs with Vietnam, instead of Middle East nations.
The second solution is not to apply any changes as it would keep prices and supplies stable.
The finance ministry asked relevant sides to submit their opinions to the draft document by December 1, 2023.
- Read More
Northern Vietnam city Hai Phong claims top spot for first time in Provincial Competitiveness Index
The coastal city of Hai Phong has, for the first time, topped the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) with a score of 74.84, marking a significant milestone in its economic governance journey.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7
Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US
Malaysia is pushing forward tariff negotiations with the U.S., while implementing various policies to support local industries and strengthening efforts to seek new export markets.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7
ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021
Official data released recently indicates that Indonesia's economic growth decelerated in Q1 due to weakened domestic consumption.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:59 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing
BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC in Q1 posted its highest livestock profit since listing in late 2021, thanks to a surge in pig output and revenue that nearly doubled year-over-year.
Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:36 pm GMT+7
Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties
Amkor Technology, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor firm, sees Vietnam a strong market in the mid and long term despite tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration, said an executive.
Investing - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7
Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters
More than VND200 trillion ($7.7 billion) in privately-placed corporate bonds will mature in the final three quarters of this year, with the real estate sector accounting for half, according to independent credit rating provider S&I Ratings.
Finance - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:16 pm GMT+7
Sumitomo to halve equity interest in $2.58 bln thermal power plant in central Vietnam
Sumitomo has decided to transfer 50% of the Japanese giant's equity interest in its wholly-owned operator of the $2.58 billion Van Phong 1 coal-fired power plant in Vietnam’s central province of Khanh Hoa.
Energy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7
Singapore's CapitaLand Development forms strategic partnership with Vietnam's Vinhomes
CapitaLand Development has expanded in Vietnam with two major moves - a strategic collaboration agreement with leading local developer Vinhomes and the unveiling of The Fullton, a $800 million low-rise residential project in Hung Yen province.
Real Estate - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:56 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's disbursed FDI in 4 months posts five-year record high
Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit $13.82 billion in the first four months of the year, up 39.9%, while disbursed capital reached $6.74 billion, up 7.3% and marking a record high in five years.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's Politburo requests prioritizing administrative measures to handle economic violations, instead of criminal prosecution
The Politburo, Vietnam's highest decision-making body, has ordered amendments to legal regulations to ensure that administrative measures are prioritized in handling civil and economic cases.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 12:30 pm GMT+7
EC postpones Vietnam’s seafood inspection until year end
The European Commission (EC) has delayed its fifth inspection of Vietnam's efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to the end of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:53 am GMT+7
Thailand lowers growth forecast for 2025
The Thai Ministry of Finance has cut its forecast for the country’s economic growth this year to 2.1% from 3%, saying that the impact of U.S. tariffs and a global slowdown would weigh on Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:49 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s top lighting manufacturer Rang Dong posts 48% drop in Q1 profit
Hanoi-based Rang Dong Light Source & Vacuum Flask JSC, a veteran in Vietnam’s consumer goods sector, reported a 48% decline in Q1 post-tax profit to nearly VND101 billion ($3.9 million), blaming intensifying competition from Chinese imports and foreign-invested enterprises.
Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7
Vietnam spends $1.8 bln on coal imports in Q1, mainly for power plants
Vietnam spent more than $1.8 billion importing 17.27 million tons of coal in Q1, primarily to fuel thermal power plants, according to the General Department of Customs.
Economy - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 10:24 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s utility major REE records 27% net profit growth in Q1 on power segment surge
Private utility firm REE Corporation posted strong profit growth in Q1, primarily driven by a significant improvement in its power segment compared to the same period last year.
Companies - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 10:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam to hold first round of trade talks with US on Wednesday
Vietnam will hold its first round of negotiations with the U.S. on bilateral trade Wednesday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the ongoing session of the country's parliament.
Economy - Mon, May 5, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7
- Consulting
-
Rethinking resilience: How typhoon Yagi redefines supply chain strategies in northern Vietnam
-
Remove roadblocks to lure foreign investment into Vietnam: HSBC exec
-
AI can be a game changer for Vietnam tourism
-
In trade and investment, ASEAN and China are better together
-
Investment opportunities in LNG-to-power projects in Vietnam
-
Pepper prices 2024: will the dream of 'black gold' repeat?