Swensen's opens franchise in HCM City

HCM CITY — The first franchise of Swensen's opened in HCM City on Thursday through an agreement between Thai-based Swensen's and Viet Nam's An Minh Ice Cream Joint-Stock Co.

Swensen's has stores in Asean, the Middle East, and the Americas. It owns more than 200 outlets in Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia.

Hoang Thi Hong Anh, director of An Minh Ice Cream Joint-Stock Co said premium ice cream with 27 flavours enjoyed a discount of 10 per cent from July 30 to August 30.

The general manager of Thailand's Swensen, Peter King, said his company's five-year plan calls for opening 80 restaurants in India, 30 in Viet Nam and three in Laos .

Work starts on An Phu Thinh area

BINH DINH — An Phu Thinh Development Investment Construction and Tourism JSC will break ground on the An Phu Thinh new urban area in the southern province of Binh Dinh next Monday.

The urban area has an investment capital of VND2.45 trillion (US$128.94 million). It will occupy a 153.63ha area and include villas, offices and a trade centre. Construction work will be in three phases and end in 2018.

Viglacera builds in-house institute

HA NOI — Viet Nam Glass and Ceramics for Construction Corp (Viglacera) will today begin work on the Viglacera Development and Research Institute in Hoang Mai District of Ha Noi.

The project has a total investment capital of VND10 billion (US$520,830). The institute is expected to open early next year.

Approval for Bach Duong complex

BINH THUAN — BaÏch Duong Hill Co Ltd has received planning approval for its Bach Duong Hill Tourism Complex.

The complex, which will have a total investment of US$476 million, will occupy an area of 265ha in the central province of Binh Thuan. Construction is expected to start next month.

Wheat turnover reaches $350m

HA NOI — Enterprises imported 1.44 million tonnes of wheat with a turnover of US$350 million in the first six months of this year, up 80 per cent in terms of value and volume over the same period last year.

In July alone, 230,000 tonnes of wheat were imported, worth $56 million.

The imported wheat is used as animal feed and is relatively low in price compared to maize, rice, bran and manioc.

Motorbike imports fall over last year

HA NOI — This year, 51,400 motorbikes have been imported, worth US$64 million, down 21.9 and 21.6 per cent in quantity and value respectively over the same period last year.

The import turnover of motorbike accessories and components is expected to be $491 million, up 35.8 per cent against the same period last year.

Five projects to be scrapped

PHU THO — Phu Tho's Department of Investment and Planning and the people's committee have withdrawn licences for five slow-moving projects.

Among the projects were Dong Thai Duong Co Ltd's paper production plant that had a registered capital of US$4.5 million and Leosco Co Ltd's $3 million teddy bear plant. The firms received their licences in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Handicraft show to open in Ha Noi

HA NOI — The "Ha Noi handicraft 2010" expo will run from August 4 to 9 at the Ha Noi Culture Friendship Palace.

The annual fair aims to promote exports of handicraft products.

The expo is expected to attract 100 handicraft enterprises offering 500 products from traditional craft villages.

Ocean Bank earns $16.3 million

HA NOI — OceanBank has posted a pre-tax profit of VND311 billion (US$16.3 million) for 2010, an increase of 265 per cent against the same period last year.

In June, the bank's total assets were valued at VND43 trillion ($2.2 billion).

OceanBank, which has 83 branches nation-wide, has opened two more branches this week in Bac Giang Province and HCM City. — VNS