Vietnam, EU and related news

The 2008 EU Trade Counsellors Report on Vietnam now available!
Delegation of the EC to Vietnam, Thu, 10 Jul

The so-called 'Green Book' is published annually by the Working Group of the Economic and Commercial Counsellors of the EU Embassies and the Delegation of the European Commission to Vietnam. It presents an assessment concerning the performance of the Vietnamese economy and selected sectors. It contains an overview of current challenges and opportunities as well as recommendations for the future development. Full Article

Power lines
Phnom Penh Post, Fri, 4 Jul

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says thousands of rural households in Cambodia will be connected to electricity under funding Australia will provide through the World Bank over the next four years. Smith announced the funding of more than 30 million Australian dollars on July 1 during a visit to Vietnam, one of three countries along with Cambodia and Laos to benefit from the rural electrification program. Full Article

GDP figure lowered to 2.3%
Europeanvoice, Wed, 9 Jul

Quarterly growth weaker than first thought; EU is performing slightly more poorly than the US. Economic activity in the European Union grew by 0.7% in the first quarter of this year compared with the previous quarter, according to new estimates published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office. Full Article

Taking stock - An Update on Vietnam's Recent Economic Developments
World Bank Report, Mon, 30 Jun

Report Prepared by the World Bank for the Mid-year Consultative Group Meeting for Vietnam, Sapa, June 5-6, 2008. Global macroeconomic conditions have deteriorated in Vietnam since the second half of 2007. In addition to a slowdown in industrial countries, there is considerable uncertainty in financial markets and a surge in the world prices of commodities. Full Article

Hot numbers
Phnom Penh Post, Mon, 23 Jun

The Ministry of Planning stopped publishing inflation figures in February over fears that outrage at the spiraling costs of goods could descend into unrest. The government halted the monthly publication of the Consumer Price Index to averting the possibility of "disorder and turmoil," said San Sithan, the ministry's director general. Full Article

ECB president tamps down market expectations
Europeanvoice, Wed, 25 Jun

Central banker tells currency markets not to assume “a series of increases” in interest rates. The European Central Bank remains on a “heightened state of alert” about inflation the bank’s president Jean Claude Trichet said today, echoing comments that he made on 5 June. Full Article

Economic growth to ease to 7.0 percent in 2008, inflation remains high: IMF
Phnom Penh Post, Thu, 12 Jun

Cambodia's economic growth is expected to dip into the single digits this year, dropping more than three points to 7.0 percent, the International Monetary Fund said on June 6, citing a slowdown in the Kingdom's key garment sector. Full Article

EU, US call for progress on trade
Europeanvoice, Thu, 12 Jun

US president suggests climate-change deal could be achieved this year. US President George Bush has said he is hopeful that a global deal on combating climate change can be reached before he leaves office in January. Full Article

CG in upbeat mood
Vietnam Investment Review, Thu, 12 Jun

International donors last week appreciated the Vietnamese government’s measures to ensure macroeconomic stability and pledged to continue supporting the country. Full Article

Time to take stock of investment progress
Vietnam Investment Review, Thu, 12 Jun

A situation analysis is critical for Vietnam to boost foreign direct investment, according to senior government officials. Full Article