Japanese firms seek foreign employees
HCM CITY — Two Japanese firms at Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone have requested permission to employ foreign labourers, according to HCM City's Centre of Employment Service for export processing zones and industrial parks.
The firms, copper wire manufacturer, Nidec Tosock, and garment maker, Three Bambi, had a labour shortage after Tet (the Lunar New Year) but the EPZ's Centre of Employment Service could not supply the manpower, Tuoi Tre reports.
Nidec Tosock requested to employ labourers from the Philippines, and Three Bambi asked to hire workers from Laos. The centre said the demand for foreign labour is especially high before and after Tet.
Sugarcane, paper expo opens in capital
HA NOI — A three-day international exhibition of the sugarcane and paper industries opened yesterday in Ha Noi.
The event is being organised by the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Centre in co-operation with the EIFEC Co.
The exhibition creates opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises and foreign partners to meet, exchange technology and attract investment capital.
The exhibition has 50 stalls from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, mainland China and India.
Hai Duong Seafood to open $13m plant
BEN TRE — Hai Duong Seafood JSC has built a second seafood processing factory, with the total investment capital of VND255 billion (US$13.42 million), at An Hiep industrial zone in southern Ben Tre Province.
The factory will be able to produce 17,400 tonnes of products per year. The factory will have a processing line worth VND100 billion ($5.26 million).
Dragonfruit cultivation to expand
BINH THUAN — The management of the Agricultural Competition Project (ACP) presented two production areas of 175ha and 133ha that are used to cultivate the dragon fruit in Ham Thuan Nam.
The new two areas will follow the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) standards. These standards will eventually be applied to all 10,000ha that cultivate dragon fruit in Ben Tre Province. The World Bank finances the ACP project, which is being conducted in eight provinces in the central region of the country.
ABBank targets $1b in deposits
HA NOI — An Binh Bank (ABBank) has announced a target of VND20.34 trillion (US$1.07 billion) in total deposits this year, which is up 61 per cent against 2009.
The bank plans to diversify its future savings and gold reserves in order to attract more capital.
New measures added to price control rules
HA NOI — The General Department of Customs added three measures to the price risk control procedures in order to prevent fraud.
The custom's department issued the new price levels for three additional items, including automobiles, wine and beer. The department asked the local custom's boards to conduct market research on cell-phone risk management as well.
Listed electronics firm expands IT business
HCM CITY — The HCM City Stock Exchange listed company Vietronics Tan Binh (VTB) announced last Saturday its affiliate VTB IT became an official distributor of CPUs of the US-headquartered group Advanced Micro Devices.
This will be VTBs first step in its business expansion in computer component trading. VTB, with an agent network covering all 64 cities and provinces, operates in areas including electrical refrigeration, IT and real estate.
Last year, it inaugurated a US$6.6 million electrical refrigeration factory in HCM City and an IT research and development centre. Last year, VTB netted a profit of almost VND25 billion (US$1.3 million) from a total turnover of VND247 billion.
This year it targets 20 per cent growth in turnover and profits.
Eximbank joins card alliance GlobePass
HCM CITY — The HCM City Stock Exchange-listed Eximbank Viet Nam (EIB) officially joined the card alliance GlobePass yesterday, thanks to support from its strategic shareholder, the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.
Cardholders of GlobePass member banks can enjoy discounts and other benefits offered by GlobePass retail merchants in foreign countries.
GlobePass is an alliance network of 12 financial institutions in Japan, South Korea, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam working together to provide cross-border services to credit-card holders.
Eximbank is the first member bank in Viet Nam, according to general director Truong Van Phuoc.
Phuc Tien Co offers shares to raise charter capital
HA NOI — The State Securities Commission has given permission to Phuc Tien Trade and Production Co to issue 9 million shares to increase its charter capital to VND200 billion.
The company will offer 2.75 million shares to existing shareholders, another 5.15 million to strategic shareholders and the remaining 1.1 million shares will be spent on advance dividend payments.
The company has to implement the issue within 90 days from the date of the commission's decision.
PV Gas South to auction 5.7m shares to lift capital
HCM CITY — The northern bourse-listed PetroVietnam Southern Gas Co has decided to issue 6.5 million new shares, in an effort to raise capital. The company will sell 5.75 million to the public at a minimum of 25,000 per share and investors can register to buy a minimum of 100 shares.
The remaining 750,000 shares will be offered to current employees at VND10,000 per share. The date for the issuance will be announced soon.
After the issue, the company's charter capital is expected to increase from VND150 billion (US$7.9 million) to VND215 billion ($11.3 million).
HAD announces dividend payment for last year
HA NOI — Ha Noi-Hai Duong Beer Co announced the closure of a list of shareholders eligible for last year's dividend payment. The company will advance the cash dividend at a ratio of 25 per cent on April 14. It also plans to hold its annual shareholders meeting at the end of March. — VNS