Việt Nam seeks Standard Chartered’s support for international financial hubs

Mar 18th at 14:03
18-03-2025 14:03:00+07:00

Việt Nam seeks Standard Chartered’s support for international financial hubs

The Vietnamese government plans to launch two IFCs in HCM City and Đà Nẵng over the next five years.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình meets with CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Saif Malik at ameeting on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo

Việt Nam is seeking assistance from Standard Chartered Bank to establish international financial hubs in the Southeast Asian nation.

In a meeting on Monday with CEO Saif Malik during his official UK visit, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình emphasised the country’s commitment to developing two internationalfinancial centres (IFCs) in HCM City and Đà Nẵng.

He expressed hope that Standard Chartered would actively participate and offer recommendations for these initiatives.

CEO Saif Malik assured the Deputy Prime Minister of Standard Chartered’s commitment to supporting Việt Nam’s IFCsand expanding investment in emerging sectors such asthe green and circular economies.

He alsourged the Vietnamese government to continue fostering a supportive environment for the bank's operations.

With over 170 years of history and presence in more than 50 markets, Standard Chartered opened its first office in Việt Nam in 1904 and established its local bank in 2009, currently operating four branches in Hà Nội and HCM City.

The Vietnamese government plans to launch the two IFCs over the next five years.

They are finalising the necessary framework and policies to support these centres, which aim to mobilise resources for national development.

The IFCinitiative, a priority for the government, will offer various financial services, boosting local economies and attracting foreign investment.

Recently, HCM City established a steering committee to oversee the development of the IFC, which consists of 29 members and is chaired by Party Secretary Nguyễn Văn Nên.

HCM City is a major economic hub with a Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) exceeding US$73.8 billion, accounting for 15.5 per cent of national GDP, and is home to over 50 per cent of the country’s fintech start-ups.

As the location of Việt Nam’s first stock exchange, HCM City is one of the major economic centres of the nation, alongside Hà Nội and Đà Nẵng.

Its distinct time zone advantage relative to most major global financial hubs enhances its attractiveness for investment, particularly when other markets are closed.

The city is strategically located within a three-hour flight from significant regional hubs including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, and China.

Việt Nam’s stable political environment, secure society, and skilled workforce provide ideal conditions for the establishment of these centres.

Special policies will be implemented to attract banks, investment funds, and financial service companies, while trading platforms for securities, currencies, and commodities will be developed, with a particular emphasis on fintech.

These centres are poised to connect Việt Nam with global financial markets, attract foreign institutions, and enhance investment opportunities.

While the concept of an IFC is well-established in various countries worldwide, it remains relatively novel in Việt Nam.

The Deputy PM’s business trip aims to promote cooperation for the establishment and growth of these financial centres, particularly as the UK is a well-established financial market with extensive experience in managing international financial centres.

Bizhub

- 13:01 18/03/2025



RELATED STOCK CODE (2)

NEWS SAME CATEGORY

Vietnamese banks navigate layoffs amid cost-cutting pressures

After 15 years in the banking sector in HCM City, 40-year-old Lưu Thị Giang from the Central Highlands province of Đắk Nông received the news that she was being...

HCM City bank lending growth down in 2025

Despite HCM City-based banks’ efforts to provide preferential loans, credit growth declined slightly in the first two months of 2025.

IFC, Switzerland expand support for supply chain finance in Việt Nam

Backed by a five million Swiss Francs grant from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the initiative will run until 2029, helping over 500,000 SMEs...

Social media giants pay $109 million in February taxes

According to the Department of Taxation under the Ministry of Finance, foreign service providers including Google, Meta, and TikTok paid taxes worth VND2.79...

Vietcombank, BIDV gear up for significant capital increases in 2025

Vietcombank plans to execute a private placement of 6.5 per cent of its equity, while BIDV anticipates raising about VNĐ4.8 trillion (US$188 million) through the...

E-tax system resumes full operations after temporary suspension

The suspension, which lasted from 5pm on March 12 until 8am on March 17, was necessary to enhance tax management and implement structural changes.

Capital expansion fuels optimism in Việt Nam’s insurance sector

Recent developments ahead of the shareholders' meetings for many insurance companies are expected to provide momentum for the stocks in this sector.

KCN Vietnam Group signs comprehensive partnership with VietinBank

KCN Vietnam Group JSC and VietinBank signed a comprehensive partnership agreement on March 14, marking a significant milestone in their long-term partnership.

State Treasury wants to buy an additional $300 million from banks

This is the fourth foreign currency purchase request from the Treasury since the beginning of the year.

HCM City to develop international financial centre on 9.2-ha site in Thủ Thiêm

HCM City, Việt Nam’s largest economic hub, is set to develop a 9.2-ha site within the Thủ Thiêm urban area in Thủ Đức City into an International Financial Centre...

Bank stocks

Insurance stocks


MOST READ