The Philippines is a promising market for Vietnamese commodities thanks to its strong demand for Vietnamese goods, according to a Vietnamese trade official.

Vietnamese companies making eco-friendly straws have received many orders from other countries that have reduced the use of plastic straws or even banned their production.

Listed companies on the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) reported their profits grew 11.4 percent year on year to reach 19.93 trillion VND (855.6 million USD) in 2018.

Vietnam shipped 719,259 tonnes of crude oil abroad for 337.3 million USD in the first two months of 2019, up 7.1 percent in volume but down 7.9 percent in value compared to the same period last year.

More and more Russian businesses want to study investment opportunities in Vietnam and attract Vietnamese firms to invest in Russia.

The Government is considering withdrawing a proposal from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to increase environmental taxes on fuel products to the maximum of 8,000 VND (0.35 USD), stating the move requires further consideration.

The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) launched the 11th edition of its annual Whitebook at a conference in Hanoi on March 14, focusing on the future of economic development in Vietnam.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) set the daily reference exchange rate on March 15 at 22,957 VND per USD, up 5 VND from the previous day (March 14).

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a meeting for Vietnamese and Russian businesses in Hanoi on March 14 to exchange cooperation opportunities in numerous fields.

The Vietnamese Government will create optimal conditions for US enterprises to invest successfully in Vietnam and is willing to listen to their recommendations to improve the local business environment, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Nguyen Van Binh, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Economic Commission, has commended Russian gas group Gazprom for its contributions to Vietnam-Russia cooperative ties, especially in the energy sector.

Construction of the LIG-Quang Tri Solar Power Plant (LIG-QTSPP) in the central province of Quang Tri is near completion, with the plant expected to be put into operation in June.

The Philippines on March 13 lowered its GDP growth target for this year to 6-7 percent, instead of 7-8 percent, citing the impact of a delay in the approval from the legislature for this year's budget.

A workshop was held in Bangkok on March 14 to seek business shortcuts in Vietnam and expand to the global market.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has called on Russian gas group Gazprom to continue its close coordination with Vietnamese ministries, agencies, and partners in scientific and technological application and administrative reform in order to reduce costs and improve its investment efficiency.

China is current the biggest market for Vietnamese agricultural products, but its demand for fruits and vegetables is still growing, offering a chance for Vietnamese firms to boost even stronger shipments to this country.

Cross-border e-commerce platform Fado Vietnam and its Chinese counterpart Alibaba signed a cooperation agreement on March 14 in Ho Chi Minh City to launch a new trading channel supporting Vietnamese firms, especially small- and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs).

A series of companies who rushed to trade rice a decade ago are now facing difficulties and in some cases, have gone bust.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) is leading other foreign investors in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau as of mid-March with 21 out of 35 FDI projects licensed in the locality in 2018.

More investment in processing and post-harvest preservation is needed to create added value for the export of fruit and vegetable products, experts said at a forum on the fruit and vegetable industry in HCM City on March 13.