After bank loans, property firms seek alternative sources of capital (16-08-2008) Me Tri Ha new urban area undergoes construction in the capital city. The Government will continue granting loans for property projects pursuant to its current policy, but experts are encouraging property companies to divesify their capital sources. — VNA/VNS Photo Anh Tuan HA NOI — Property companies struggling with capital inflow may turn to banks for relief, but they should also co-operate with other property firms or sectors to generate needed funds, according to property experts. Nguyen Tran Nam, the deputy minister of construction and chairman of the Viet Nam Real Estate Association, said the Government’s current policy was to continue granting loans for property projects, particularly for residential houses, offices and infrastructure facilities at industrial parks. However, the current ceiling interest rate for bank loans is a high 21 per cent, an increase over the rate … [Read more...] about After bank loans, property firms seek alternative sources of capital
High priced mortgage loan calculator
Prices, red tape deter Viet kieu home buyers
by Le Hung Vong Many Viet Kieu (Overseas Vietnamese) cannot realise their dream of buying houses and apartments in their homeland due to high prices and complicated house-purchasing procedures. According to the Committee of Overseas Vietnamese in HCM City, between 2006 and early 2010, about 140 Overseas Vietnamese bought houses in Viet Nam, 100 of which were in HCM City and last year, only ten Overseas Vietnamese made purchases. This is a very small number compared with more than four million Overseas Vietnamese currently living around the world. When the policy to allow more Overseas Vietnamese to buy houses at home was issued a few years ago, real estate companies launched a number of housing projects, aiming to provide luxury apartments to these new potential buyers. But the local property market remains stagnant, and housing developers have had to drop their prices by 40 to 50 per cent to attract buyers. Nguyen Tran Ly, a Vietnamese Australian, was staggered at the price of … [Read more...] about Prices, red tape deter Viet kieu home buyers
Interest rates still too high for businesses
VietNamNet Bridge - Many businesses still find borrowing at commercial banks too costly even though the State Bank of Vietnam is encouraging banks to lend. Nguyen Thi Lan, owner of a rice-mill in Phu Tan District in the southern province of An Giang, said she planned to borrow VND3 billion (US$143,884)to process rice to sell to rice exporters this season. Yet, the banks she approached charged an interest rate of 1.8 percent per month, which means she would have to pay VND1.8 million in interest rate every day. “With increasing gas and electricity prices, this is simply too much,” Lan said, adding she had to rethink her plan to borrow. Le Van Tam, a fish breeder in Chau Phu District also in An Giang Province, is facing a similar situation. After being turned down by several banks, he had to mortgage his rice field for a loan of VND300 million with an interest rate of 1.8% per month or 21.6 percent per year at Sacombank. Tam calculated he would have to make at least VND32 … [Read more...] about Interest rates still too high for businesses
Social News 16/10
Search for Vietnamese sailors called off The Japanese government has officially stopped searching for six missing Vietnamese sailors after a three-day helicopter search. Six of seven Vietnamese sailors working aboard a Taiwanese ship went missing after jumping off the ship on Sunday. When they went overboard, the ship was 18km off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. The Department of Overseas Labour Management contacted the other sole Vietnamese sailor left working aboard the ship. He said that the working and living conditions on the ship were good and refused to jump off when his shipmates attempted to persuade him. 350 workers suffer food poisoning 350 workers from the DHA Garment Export Company arrived at the Luong Tai and Gia Binh hospital complaining of stomachahes and dizziness after Tuesday night's dinner. Of the 260 workers hospitalized for food poisoning, one-third have now been released, reported the Bac Ninh's Food Safety and Hygiene Department. The DHA company canteen, … [Read more...] about Social News 16/10
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 6/10
No housing loan for civil servants The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) last Wednesday denied offering a VND2-billion (US$95,200) credit package to high-income civil servants and soldiers who want to buy a house or apartment. At a National Assembly meeting, SBV Governor Nguyen Van Binh said there was as yet no official plan to offer such a package. According to the rumoured proposal, civil servants and soldiers with an average monthly income of more than VND25 million ($1,190) can borrow the money to purchase medium- and high-end terrace houses and apartments worth VND4 billion to VND5 billion ($190,500 to $238,000) each. A qualified household can borrow a maximum amount of $95,200, with an annual lending rate of six to 7.5 per cent, for a maximum 10-year period. The loan could cover up to 75 per cent of the total value of the house or apartment to be purchased, and borrowers could use their own houses or apartments as mortgage. The proposal has stirred a public debate. The infonet online … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 6/10