KDI Optimistic About Vietnam’s Aviation Industry; Suggests Infrastructure InvestmentDecember 23, 2011 (Vietnamica) – The Korea Development Institute (KDI) forecasts that the Vietnamese aviation sector will carry 36 million passengers by 2015. The Institute also expects that volume of goods transported by airway will increase from 460,000 tons in 2010 to 850,000-930,000 tons in 2015 (Bernama, Dec. 23).
December 19, 2011 (Vietnamica) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died the morning of Dec. 17, according to an official North Korean News broadcast at noon Dec. 19. Initial reports say Kim died of a heart attack brought on by fatigue while on board a train. Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008, and his health has been in question since.
December 14, 2011 (Vietnamica) — Department of Planning and Investment of Binh Duong disclosed that a number of international distributors are exploring opportunities in the HCMC’s suburb province. Aeon Corporation (Japan): The Japanese retailer basically completed the investment procedures as the provincial authorities have approved a six-hectare location in Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) for the investor to carry out the project. The Aeon’s commercial center in Binh Duong would have three stories and 75,000 square meters in total, with retail space accounting for 45,000 square meters. The investor expects to commence work on the project in 2012 and...
Vietcombank Exits Shinhan Vina BankNovember 15, 2011 (Vietnamica) — The Vietnamese central bank has approved Vietcombank’s proposal to sell off its equity stake in Shinhan Vina Bank to Shinhan Vietnam Bank. Vietcombank owns 50 percent of Shinhan Vina Bank’s charter capital – about VND 590 billion, or US$28 million. Following the deal, the joint-venture Shinhan Vina Bank will be merged with the wholly foreign-owned Shinhan Vietnam Bank.
Vietnam: Petrolimex Bids For 1.05 Mln Tons of Gasoil For 2012November 14, 2011 (Vietnamica) – The State-own Petroleum Import-Export Corp. (Petrolimex) has bid for up to 1.05 million tons of gasoil, delivering over Jan. to Dec. 2012. The tender closes on Nov. 16 and is valid until Nov. 22 (Reuters, Nov. 14).
Japanese Aeon to Build at least 7 Shopping Centers in VietnamNovember 12, 2011 (Vietnamica) – “The Japanese largest retailer – Aeon – is planning to build at least 7 shopping centers in Vietnam,” the Group’s CEO Nagahisa Oyama told Saigon Times. The first US$100 million center – Aeaon Tan Phu Celadon – is expected to inaugurate by early 2014.
