Can Tho assists local businesses
HCM CITY — Local businesses in 10 key sectors will receive loans of VND1.2 trillion (US$62.8 million) from the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta city of Can Tho to use for the rest of the year.
The loan can be used to upgrade equipment, and improve quality and productivity.
Sectors include rice and seafood processing, textiles, handicraft production, food and mechanics.
The city will continue to help companies expand their markets to Denmark, Sweden, the UK and the US, and create links with HCM City-based businesses so they can seek capital and technology transfer.
Can Tho has developed small-scale industrial parks, opened more land sources for production, and built factories for heavy industry to supply local businesses with products.
Bac Lieu attracts $421m project
BAC LIEU — The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Bac Lieu has attracted investment worth VND8 trillion (US$421 million) in 23 projects in the first half of the year, according to the provincial People's Committee.
The projects include a 99MW wind-power plant, the 18-floor Bac Lieu Tower and the Gianh Hao Port Economic Zone.
Vo Van Dung, the People's Committee chairman, said this year's investment ranked among the province's best performance.
In the past, Bac Lieu focussed on investment promotion, reforming investment procedures and reducing the time taken to issue licences and land allocation to investors, he said.
Besides offering investment incentives, Bac Lieu has also been developing infrastructure like roads linking industrial parks, industrial-park facilities, irrigation for agriculture and aquaculture and ports and warehouses, he said.
Techcombank raises charter capital
HA NOI — Techcombank on Tuesday announced it raised its charter capital to VND6.93 trillion (US$364.84 million) in 2010, an increase of VND1.53 trillion ($80.6 million) over last year.
The bank issued 153.17 million new shares. Of the total, 149.17 million shares were issued to existing shareholders. The remaining 4 million shares were given as bonus to distinguished employees.
Taiwan campaign to promote IT
HCM CITY — The Taiwan External Trade Development Council Viet Nam on Wednesday launched a campaign to promote the island's most innovative and high-quality information and communication technology products.
Seventeen ICT brands have been chosen for the "Taiwan Excellence" campaign, which aims to underscore the key features of all leading Taiwanese ICT brands like reliability and innovation, according to TAITRA director, Tso Wei Dar.
A website launched on Wednesday, www.taiwanexcellence.com.vn, will be the main interactive platform, providing comprehensive information about campaigns, events, interesting stories and local promotions.
The campaign, to run until December, will be involved with many local and international ICT-related events in the region and in Viet Nam, including the Viet Nam World Computer Electronic Expo in HCM City from July 15-18.
New engineering firm debuts
HA NOI — The Viet Nam Natural Resources and Environment Corporation debuted in Ha Noi on Wednesday, aiming to become a group by 2015.
The corporation is made up of various.departments from the ministry, said the Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Pham Khoi Nguyen.
With a charter capital of VND500 billion (US$26.3 million) and almost 4,000 staff, the corporation will promote its potential and improve its production and business.
The corporation's main products are maps, aerial photographs and equipment for treating liquid and solid waste. It will also provide other services including construction, consultancy, technology transfers, equipment and data on natural resources and the environment.
It is also involved in mining, real estate, environmental treatment, hydrometeorology and climate change. — VNS