A conference called Viet Nam - Global Investment Destination - An Arbitral Perspective in Ha Noi on Monday revealed that creating a transparent legal environment in which commercial arbitration is the tool in enterprise dispute settlement, contributes to more investment capital.

The Ministry of Finance has submitted a proposal to the Government aimed at imposing export taxes on steel and cement while raising the export duty on timber products from 5 to 20 per cent.

A new fee should be introduced to curb the use of cars, a group of financial investors say.

Vietnam will raise the export duty on iron ore to 40 percent in early July from 30 percent now to ensure raw material for its domestic steel industry, the government said last Wednesday.

A broadband development programme was highlighted at the two-day 4th Annual Viet Nam International Telecoms Summit 2011, endorsed by the Ministry of Information and Communications and Hong Kong Beacon Events Ltd, which started yesterday.

Viet Nam has become the leading foreign investor in Laos, taking over the top position from China and Thailand, according to a newsletter issued by the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment's Investment Promotion Department.

The Ministry of Transport recently submitted a report to the Government on the operation of private airlines. According to it, most private airlines are struggling to get off the ground. Viet Nam News reporter spoke to Doan Quoc Viet, chairman and CEO of Air Mekong JSC of BIM Group, on the issue.

On April 29 2011, the Ministry of Finance passed Circular No. 55/2011/TT-BTC providing details about how the cost of domestic goods and services should be reported. Under the circular, retailers will have to report on the cost of 57 essential commodities on a weekly basis in order to help the Government manage market prices and control inflation.

The two national stock exchanges last week saw a heavy plunge in the first three days but trades on Thursday picked up, reaching over VND1.3 trillion (US$62 million).

The general Department of Customs has added seven more commodities along with auto, motorbikes, mobile phones and foreign-branded wine to the list of commodities subject to risk management on prices with an aim to tighten imports, the VnExpress reported.

Vietnam will raise the export duty on iron ore to 40 percent in early July from 30 percent now to ensure raw material for its domestic steel industry, the government said on Wednesday.

State-owned groups and companies will have to declare their debts and assets, including gold, deposits, cheques, credit certificates at funds and banks from July this year if a new draft circular by the Ministry of Finance is approved.

Stiffer penalties should be imposed on filling stations to prevent speculation at petrol retailers around the country, according to industry experts.

Foreign bank and credit institutions in Vietnam can use a maximum 50 percent of their charter capital and reserves to invest in fix assets, said the Ministry of Finance in a draft resolution on regulating financial regimes of foreign banks.

The zero tax rate will be applied to selected products imported from Cambodia including shrimp, crab, vegetables, fruit and coffee, according to Circular 68 from the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) is seeking comments on the Price Law draft expected to be submitted to the National Assembly this year.

Securities companies can only dissolve after paying all debts is one of the new regulations stipulated in the draft circular guiding organisation and operation of securities companies.