CORPORATE LINKS

* The Industrial and Commercial Bank of Vietnam (Incombank) has signed an agreement to provide loans for Vietnam National Petroleum Corp. (Petrolimex) to import oil and gasoline for supply to the local market. Incombank will also invest in projects of Petrolimex, Phap Luat reports.

* Maritime Bank has opened its new branch at 420-422 Cong Hoa Street in HCMC’s Tan Binh District, bringing the total number to four branches and one transaction office in this city. The new facility is licensed for deposit mobilization, foreign exchange payment and card services among others, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam reports.

* The operations of Vietsopetro under a joint venture between Vietnam and Russia will be extended until after 2010 as provided for in a decision signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Lao Dong reports.

* Vietnam Airlines has agreed to sponsor air tickets for events of the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AusCham) in the next 12 months. Andrew Currie, chair of AusCham in HCMC, told the Daily that the air tickets would be used for those who help AusCham raise funds at charity events.

* Savi-Furniture Joint Stock Co।, under HCMC-based Savimex, has opened a new furniture production line in a bid to increase output for local market. The new planking manufacturing line at Savimex’s Savi-Furniture factory at 234 Truong Son Street, Thu Duc District is capitalized at some VND6 billion. Products of the new factory will be supplied for hi-end apartments.
FPT Mobile inaugurated its branch and Samsung & Motorola maintenance center in Ninh Kieu District in Can Tho City last week to expand its business to the Mekong Delta region. The company plans to open more authorized maintenance service centers in Thanh Hoa, Vinh anh Nha Trang next year.
Australia-invested GHD Vietnam Ltd Company and Dong Tam BOO Company last week signed a deal to invest VND1 trillion for building a water plant in Binh Duc Commune, Chau Thanh District Tien Giang Province with total capacity of 90,000 cubic meters, Thoi Bao Kinh Te Vietnam reports.