Banking & Finance

According to Mr. Petri Deryng, Founder of Finland’s PYN Fund Management Ltd and Portfolio Manager of the PYN Elite Fund, Vietnam’s stock market, which is the worst in Southeast Asia in terms of profitability, could bottom out this week or next. Interest rates, however, may peak in the country in early 2023. He believes that the situation will calm down in the months to come, thanks to directions, inspections, and close supervision from authorities.

The Ministry of Finance has said it is developing a Decree on preferential tax rates to implement a series of FTAs in the 2022-2027 period, with some tax lines to come down to 0 per cent under a roadmap. An analyst from the Australian Economic Reform Program (Aus4ReForm) said that its participation in many bilateral and multilateral agreements with major economies in the world means Vietnam has become one of the most open countries in the region and the world.

The Vietnam Banks Association (VNBA) held a seminar on October 26 entitled “Opportunities and challenges to apply blockchain to operations in the banking and financial sector”. A representative from Vietcombank pointed out the many obstacles for banks in applying blockchain, including the high cost of research and infrastructure investment and the long period needed to synchronize transition with other systems. A TPBank representative said it is necessary for banks to pilot a sandbox to successfully apply blockchain.

Before the State Bank of Vietnam decided to increase the operating interest rate from October 25, Yuanta said the increase would negatively affect the valuation of stocks. However, bank stock valuations remain very attractive.

The Ministry of Finance’s plan on implementing the Public Debt Strategy to 2030, which has been approved by the Minister of Finance, outlines seven lists of tasks and projects, including a proposal to supplement and amend the Law on Public Debt Management in line with international practice. The 2030 public debt strategy sets a target that, by 2030, Vietnam’s public debt will not exceed 60 per cent of GDP, government debt will not exceed 50 per cent of GDP, and foreign debt will not exceed 45 per cent of GDP.

Mr. Alain Cany, President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), told VnEconomy / VET that while devaluations of the VND have increased over the last two weeks, the currency remains strong, is improving, and is holding up better than many other currencies. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), he said, has been doing a good job.