Mof

The Vietnamese finance ministry expected an easing in conditions for casino projects would attract more investors in the field.

State firms that have completed the privatization process are expected to float shares on local bourses and create space for more foreign investors to invest in the local stock market.

While the inflationary pressure, especially driven by hikes in prices of oil and food, devalues some currencies, Vietnam’s inflation target would remain unchanged.

So far, total amount of deferrals of tax payment and land rental fees under the government’s support programs stood at VND37 trillion (US$1.58 billion) as of May.

The threshold would now be raised from VND9 million (US$389) per month to VND11 million (US$475).

Anyone who is found to have accepted bribery would be subject to strict punishment in compliance with law, said a senior government official.

Japan has been a major donor of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, estimated at US$24 billion, or 26.4% of total borrowings of the Vietnamese government.

General To Lam, Vietnamese minister of Public Security, said the Vietnamese authorities are cooperating with Japanese parties to clarify the issue.

The allegation is a serious matter directly affecting Vietnam’s business environment at a time government agencies are determined to fight corruption, said Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung.

From May 1, the country’s rice exports will be resumed as normal without quota.