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Category: General

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest General Retail news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Apple removes 8,000 Vietnamese apps for fraud

    Apple removes 8,000 Vietnamese apps for fraud

    Vietnam is among the countries with the most apps removed from the App Store in 2022 for fraud or poor user experience.

    In its App Store 2022 Transparency Report, Apple said it has around 1.78 million applications and removed 186,195 last year.

    The largest number, 38,883, was in the Games category.

    Vietnamese apps accounted for 8,462. Most of them — 4,657 — were removed for violating design standards. Fraud caused the removal of 3,626 apps, the second highest of any country’s.

    According to Apple’s guidelines, design violations include applications that are outdated or have worse user experience than it expects, like redirecting to a website before running the app.

    Fraud included applications that create fraudulent reviews of competitors, unfair competition or false content to lure users.

    There were also other reasons for removal such as violating developers’ code of conduct, copying other apps’ designs, spam apps, violating intellectual property rights, fake news, etc.

    The report also showed that Vietnam was among the top 10 countries to appeal removals, with 11 out of 416 proving successful.

    China had the most apps removed with 41,000, followed by the U.S. with 32,000, and India with 10,000.

    China had the most apps removed for fraud and violating developers’ code of conduct, while the U.S. led in design violations and spams.

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  • Timber exporters face sharp decline in orders

    Timber exporters face sharp decline in orders

    Vietnamese wood and wooden furniture enterprises have been facing many difficulties as export orders have dropped 50-60% since the beginning of this year, pushing firms to cut off at least half of their production capacities.

    Data from the General Department of Customs showed that the export turnover of wood and wooden products reached $3.9 billion in the first four months, down 30.6% year-on-year.

    At the same time, the import value of wood and wooden products also decreased significantly to $634 million, down 33.6% over the same period last year.

    During the four months, Vietnamese exports of these goods to major markets all decreased sharply such as the U.S. ($2.02 billion, 38%); Japan ($556 million, 1.5%); South Korea ($274 million, 22%) and China ($481 million, 13%).

    Analysts and businesses have said that the decrease in wood and wooden goods exports was foreseeable. They attributable the decline to inflation surges in some countries, which were also major importers of Vietnam’s wood and wooden goods, resulting in sluggish demand for these products.

    For example, the U.S. imported $1.24 billion worth of timber and wooden products from Vietnam in the first three months, a year-on-year drop of 42%.

    In the context of inflation and the banking crisis, U.S. banks have tightened credit, making importers unable to finance import goods in large quantities. The demand for U.S. wooden furniture imports has plummeted, analysts said.

    According to wood exporters, their export orders from the U.S. market have decreased between 50% and 55% depending on the type of wood products. Meanwhile, orders from the E.U. – another key export market, also dropped 60%.

    Chairman of the Binh Duong Woodworking Association Nguyen Liem said amid the current difficult context, the provincial wood enterprises had slashed their production capacities by 60%.

    “The current global economic situation is very unpredictable,” Liem said. “All market signals are not bright, and it is hard for wood enterprises to draw up their business plans.”

    Liem also predicted that when the market situation improved, and the inventory decreased, foreign customers would continue to order but not sooner than early 2024.

    Around the beginning of 2024, the market would be less difficult, and businesses would have export orders again. Still, only small ones, he said, forecasting that the market would likely recover at the end of 2024. However, the recovery growth would depend on the world’s economic and political situation.

    Despite a sharp slump in orders, trade experts said the U.S. remained a key export outlet for Vietnam’s wood industry. Therefore, businesses need to maintain the U.S. market by updating information and converting production according to the market’s consumption trends.

    In addition, management agencies should support businesses to bring Vietnamese wooden goods into large distribution systems such as Walmart, Costco and Amazon. This was an effective way for the firms to develop their brands, avoiding relying too much on intermediaries, trade experts said.

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  • WhatsApp finally rolls out the ability to edit messages

    WhatsApp finally rolls out the ability to edit messages

    Tipped a few times in the past by reliable sources, the ability to edit WhatsApp messages is finally coming to all users. WhatsApp confirmed earlier today that users should see the new feature over the coming weeks.

    Correcting a misspelling or changing the message completely to provide extra context can now be done via a simple long-press on the sent message. You’ll have to choose the Edit option from the menu, which will only be available for up to 15 minutes.

    Despite the fact that it comes with one limitation, more often than not we notice a misspelling or change our mind regarding a WhatsApp message soon after it’s been sent. As expected, all edited messages will display “edited” alongside them, allowing recipients to see the correction without showing edit history.

    According to WhatsApp, all edited messages, just like personal messages, media and calls, are protected by end-to-end encryption. Although the rollout of the new feature has already begun, WhatsApp states that it will be available to everyone “in the coming weeks,” so be patient if you don’t see the option to Edit messages right away.

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  • Bamboo Airways names Vietnam Airlines ex-deputy general director as CEO

    Bamboo Airways names Vietnam Airlines ex-deputy general director as CEO

    Bamboo Airways has appointed Nguyen Minh Hai as CEO to replace Nguyen Manh Quan with effect from May 24.

    The carrier said Quan had asked to step down from the position he had held since July 2022.

    Under his leadership, Bamboo earned record revenues in the second half of 2022 through innovative business initiatives.

    As of the end of the first quarter this year its fleet utilization rate had risen close to 100%.

    Hai, 51, has a bachelor’s degree in tourism business management from the National Economics University and 25 years’ experience in the airline industry.

    He was deputy general director of Vietnam Airlines between April 2015 and January 2019.

    Bamboo Airways had said last week there will be some changes in the board of directors and management.

    Hideki Oshima, a former director of international relations and airline alliance at Japan Airlines, is set to join the board of directors and executive board, while Masaru Onishi, a former president of Japan Airlines, will become senior advisor to the board of directors.

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  • Google Fi Wireless rolls out redesigned app with updated branding

    Google Fi Wireless rolls out redesigned app with updated branding

    Google Fi Wireless, which is Google Fi’s new name after the rebrand last month, has updated its mobile app with a redesign that makes it easier for customers to manage their family’s Fi subscription. The new app offers several new capabilities, including the option to check how much data each family member has used, set data limitations, and add new people to the plan.

    The app redesign was also teased last month with a short animation showing off the new family-oriented features. These also include parental controls to protect any minors added to the plan.
    As part of the redesign, a visible “Cycle ends” timer now appears on the top right of the app, alerting you when your plan resets. Right below that, you will see letter avatars representing each member that is part of the plan, which you can click on to check individually. Additionally, there is a “Group” avatar which is where you can check your plan highlights and any offers or deals that may be of interest to you.

    If you’re not on an Unlimited plan, your manager account will show data consumption with Overall and Daily views. The top “Your safety features” or “Help protect” area shows the status of silencing unknown callers or selecting only to receive calls or texts from phone contacts. It also s hows the status of your Location sharing and any Data alerts.

    This family dashboard sports the familiar Material You UI and allows you to check all of your family members’ data consumption in one spot. This can be useful for tracking who is using how much data and ensuring that everyone is staying on track with their usage in the case that you don’t have an unlimited plan.

    This redesign is rolling out with version 85 of the Google Fi Wireless app on Android, however, there is a server-side component that needs to be switched on before the changes can be seen. Fortunately, it appears that this switch has been flipped for more users in the past few days.

  • AirAsia adds new routes to China

    AirAsia adds new routes to China

    AirAsia announced the addition of three new routes from Kuala Lumpur to the southern regions of China, further cementing its position as the largest foreign carrier serving the most populous country in the world. New services to Quanzhou and Guilin operated by AirAsia Malaysia (AK) and to Chengdu (Tianfu) operated by AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) are now added to the extensive network of 15 routes with over 129 flights weekly between China and Malaysia.

    Flights to/from Quanzhou will recommence twice weekly and start operating on 18 June 2023. Flights to/from Guilin will restart thrice weekly on 18 July 2023 and flights to/from Chengdu (Tianfu) will start twice weekly on 1 July 2023 and increase to thrice weekly from 4 July 2023. Recently, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) also resumed daily services from Kota Kinabalu to Wuhan, further strengthening its position as the Malaysian carrier with the most connections and capacity in China.

    AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat said: “Following the recent opening of China to the world and strong pent up demand, our rapid expansion into China continues and we are proud to connect millions of guests not only to major destinations but also to underserved second-tier cities and launch unique routes such as Quanzhou and Guilin. China remains a key market for our future growth and we will continue to review a number of other potential Chinese routes that we hope to be in a position to announce soon.”

    AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will be flying 11 routes to/from China with over 118 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Guilin, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Nanning, and Shantou; Kota Kinabalu to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan; and Johor Bahru to Guangzhou. AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) will be flying four routes to/from China with over 11 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu (Tianfu), Beijing (Daxing), Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

    Etihad Airways is set to fly to Osaka five times per week beginning 1 October 2023, connecting one of the world’s most culturally animated cities to the already extensive Etihad network. “We’re delighted to introduce flights to Osaka for the first time,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “As one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, I know visitors will enjoy exploring its heritage and sampling some of Osaka’s renowned hospitality. Equally, the new route opens up Abu Dhabi to visitors from Osaka, and we look forward to welcoming guests to our vibrant home as well as giving them access to our growing, global network.”

    The introduction of this route will support the growing trade and tourism ties between the countries and add to Etihad’s existing Tokyo service by providing another route to Japan. Etihad will be flying a state-of-the art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the new route, offering guests a taste of the airline’s celebrated service, catering and onboard entertainment.

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  • Construction steel sales fall 15% in April

    Construction steel sales fall 15% in April

    According to the Vietnam Steel Association, over 735,000 tons of construction steel were sold in April, the second-lowest monthly sales figures since 2022.

    The sale was down 15% against the same period last year.

    Over 710,000 tons of construction steel were produced, posting the smallest monthly output since 2022, and a year-on-year drop of 37%.

    According to Hoa Phat Group, which holds one-third of the market share for construction steel, demand remained weak worldwide, so it sold only 214,000 tons of construction steel in April, down 28%.

    To spur sales, Hoa Phat on May 19 reduced the price of rebar by VND200,000 (US$8.50) to VND15.09 million per ton. Other steel makers lowered the price by VND150,000-250,000.

    Since early April, steel prices have decreased six times. At present, the average price of most common products is around VND15 million per ton, similar to that in October 2022 when steel demand started to plummet.

    According to Vietcombank Securities Company, steel prices started to fall in late April when prices of input materials such as iron ores, steel scrap and coke went down.

    Construction steel prices are likely to drop further in the coming time because of weak demand, the company said, noting that real estate developers and people are discouraged to build houses amid economic difficulties with high lending interest rates.

    According to the World Steel Association, the global steel demand is likely to increase by 2.3% to 1.82 billion tons this year, and by 1.7% to more than 1.85 billion tons next year. However, the demand will still be affected by high leading interest rates.

  • Aldi to open its first Townsville store

    Aldi to open its first Townsville store

    Aldi has announced a new lease agreement with Dexus to see Townsville’s first Aldi arrive at the Willows Shopping Centre later this year.

    The new 2,252sqm store will offer North Queenslanders the full Aldi experience, providing shoppers with award-winning grocery products at low prices and Special Buys together with fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread delivered daily.

    Ryan Wheelhouse, Willows Centre Manager, said the Townsville community looks forward to having its Aldi open later this year.

    “We know the community have been excited about this announcement and the great value Aldi offers across its grocery range, including its famous Special Buys. The store will open later this year and will be next to TK Maxx, making Willows the only centre north of south-east Queensland to house all three supermarket chains under the one roof.”

    Dexus’s Head of Retail Leasing, Eddie Giraldo said that Aldi will bring a new affordable, quality supermarket offering to Willows where customers can continue to enjoy the convenience of having everything they need under one roof. We are committed to delivering the best retail experiences in Townsville.

    “After much anticipation and popular demand from the Townville community, we are delighted to be working with Aldi to bring them to North Queensland,” he said.

    Aldi will join Woolworths, Coles, Big W, Rebel, JB Hi-Fi, TK Maxx, Cotton On Mega and Best & Less and 130 specialty retailers making Willows Townsville the home of the biggest brands.

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  • Google Drive will soon get its own Spam folder just like Gmail

    Google Drive will soon get its own Spam folder just like Gmail

    In an effort to enhance user experience and fortify its security measures, Google announced a new update to Google Drive that those that have been plagued by spam will surely appreciate. This update will introduce a new spam folder within Google Drive, which will work similarly to what we have now with Gmail.

    Unfortunately, spam and malicious attempts are becoming more common in today’s digital world. In fact, according to Google, it is constantly blocking spam from our email inboxes at a rate of 15 billion unwanted messages daily. Thankfully, these same protections are now being expanded to Google Drive, one of the latest targets spammers and scammers alike have gravitated towards.

    To separate legit Google Drive files from potential spam, Google will be adding a new view or folder within the application that will let you sort through and classify them as needed. If an uninvited file finds its way into your spam folder, you’ll be automatically unsubscribed from it, effectively halting any subsequent notifications, such as comments, shares, or mobile push alerts. Once you’ve opted out, the file will be inaccessible from any location in Drive except for the new spam folder, which will live in the left sidebar.

    Just like Gmail’s spam folder, Google Drive will automatically scan and reroute files that are highly likely to be unwanted to the spam folder. However, users remain under control and can always manually move files back and forth between their My Drive and Spam folder. Once a file has been in your spam folder for over 30 days, it will be automatically deleted from your Drive.
    This update to Google Drive will be available to all Google google accounts, including personal ones, starting on May 24th, 2023. The new Spam folder will be visible on Android, iOS, Drive for Desktop, and the Drive homepage on the web. Note though, that it will undergo an extended two-week rollout starting on the launch date.
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  • WhatsApp introduces new Chat Lock feature for those sensitive conversations

    WhatsApp introduces new Chat Lock feature for those sensitive conversations

    WhatsApp has announced a new feature called “Chat Lock” that adds an extra layer of privacy to its users’ most private chats. This feature allows users to lock a chat thread so that it can only be viewed after once again entering the device’s password or fingerprint.

    WhatsApp touts this feature as a tool to make sure its users are able to keep their private talks private, even if the smartphone in question is passed around or someone is able to get into it without permission. This also works with notifications, making sure that any notifications from a locked chat does not show a preview of what is being said.

    With WhatsApp Chat Lock, you can make sure that your private talks stay private even if someone gets into your device without your permission. Whether you share sensitive information, talk about personal things, or have private conversations, this new tool gives you the power to keep your privacy at its highest level.

    The announcement is accompanied by a video highlighting how the feature works and how it can be convenient in family settings where the phone could be borrowed several times by others to either take a photo or participate in a video chat. In it, you see the main character escape several scenarios where his private conversation could have been made public, only to be saved by the existence of this feature.

    Locked chats can be accessed via the “Locked chats” folder, which can only be accessed by authenticating via the same method you use to unlock your phone. Locked chats will also be expanded in the coming months with new features such as extending the lock to companion devices and the ability to apply a different password to your locked chat folder than the one being used to unlock the device.

    The latter helps when you want to give access to your phone to someone else by sharing your device pin, but still want to keep specific WhatsApp chats private. Currently, you are able to lock the entire WhatsApp application with your chosen authentication method, but this takes it one step further by targeting specific conversations. The feature is rolling out in the latest version of the app.
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  • WhatsApp test the ability to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp test the ability to edit sent messages

    WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging app, has released a new beta version for Android – version 2.23.10.13. This latest update brings several new features and improvements to the app, including the ability to edit sent messages for some select users.
    The key feature with this update would allow users to edit messages they have already sent. WhatsApp users have highly requested this feature for some time, as it would give them the ability to correct mistakes or clarify unclear messages that were perhaps sent accidentally.
    As reported by WABetaInfo, the feature allows users to tap on a sent message and select the “Edit” option from the top menu. They could then make changes to the message, and the edited version would be visible to all recipients of the original message.
    However, there are some limitations to the feature – edited messages will still show a notification that they have been edited, and there will be a limit on how much time users have to edit their messages after they have been sent. The current time limit to edit a message is within 15 minutes of sending it, and you cannot edit a message that you sent from a different device. Once edited, the message will show an “edited” label on it to notify other users that the message is no longer the original one.
    Not all users enrolled in the WhatsApp Beta Program are currently able to test this feature, as it appears to be rolling out to only a certain amount of users, suggesting a staged rollout. Hopefully this won’t take long to roll out to the stable version of WhatsApp, as I anticipate many users would likely welcome it. However, it remains to be seen if and when the feature will become widely available to all.
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  • Vietnam Airlines pays local pilots 41% less than foreigners

    Vietnam Airlines pays local pilots 41% less than foreigners

    The average monthly salary of Vietnamese pilots working for Vietnam Airlines was 41% lower than their foreign colleagues’ last year, a gap that caused many to quit.

    A recent report by the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, which flagged this, said the 829 Vietnamese pilots working for the carrier received on average VND85 million (US$3,620) a month while the 152 foreign pilots got paid VND145 million.

    The latter work for Vietnam Airlines through a third-party agency and are not directly on its payroll.

    The airline plans to increase its payroll by 2025, when it will have 1,044 Vietnamese pilots.

    The average salary of Vietnamese pilots will be hiked by 59% by then to VND134.8 million.

    But foreign pilots’ salaries will be increased by 93% to VND279.2 million, increasing the wage gap between to 52%.

    The ministry said the carrier could not afford higher salaries for Vietnamese pilots, and the intense competition in the country’s skies means many pilots look for jobs elsewhere.

    Thirty five have quit since 2020, and more are set to leave when their contracts expire.

    The decline in number of Vietnamese pilots will place an even bigger burden on the airline since it will have to hire more foreign pilots, whose compensation is around VND2.5 billion a year each, including accommodation, insurance and others.

    Assuming the airline loses 120-140 Vietnamese pilots every year, it would have to spend VND300-600 billion on hiring foreign replacements and face greater risk of flight cancelations.

    It is therefore necessary to increased the salary budget to ensure stable operations, the ministry said.

    If it is increased by VND300 billion annually, the current 41% salary gap would decrease to 30%, and if the hike is VND800 billion, the gap would shrink to 10%, it said.

    But the increase must be tied to commitments from the airline that it would achieve its profit and revenue targets so that its losses do not bloat further, it added.

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  • Cryptocurrencies and Vietnam

    Cryptocurrencies and Vietnam

    Vietnam rightfully occupies one of the leading positions among the ASEAN countries in the market for cryptocurrencies and various blockchain technologies, which are currently the focus of most modern companies. This country is overtaken only by Thailand, which, by the strength of the transaction, exceeds $100 million in annual turnover for the purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies.

    This happened despite that in 2018, Vietnamese banks almost completely banned cryptocurrencies as a method of payment. In 2021, there was a thaw, and the Vietnamese government issued a directive with frameworks that would allow tracking money laundering attempts using cryptocurrencies. We have one of the strongest countries, which uses cryptocurrencies quite legally, quite profitable and quite successful.

    Vietnamese people and blockchain games

    Both last year and this year, there has been an increased interest among Vietnamese residents in blockchain games or even gambling analogues. This trend has captured all continents at once. Vietnam has become exceptional because a large portion of the population owns different types of NFT tokens and successfully interacts with them in certain blockchain games. Since NFT is currently an increasingly unpopular means for investing and earning funds, the Vietnamese people have switched to a more stable income through entertainment.

    One in five Vietnamese check new bitcoin casinos at least twice in their lives, which are currently operating and offer exceptional offers for all their players, unlike traditional or land-based counterparts with a huge number of different restrictions.

    Why Bitcoin Casino?

    Bitcoin casinos are one of the most popular solutions that are not neglected by the Vietnamese people. These establishments provide a huge number of different benefits that can be a good start for various kinds of bonuses or advanced gaming sessions with big winnings due to the increased RTP level. You can take a look at some of the main benefits we have described below.

    Safety

    Playing at a blockchain-based casino provides a higher level of security compared to traditional methods. The unique nature of blockchain technology ensures the safety of transactions, and its evolving transparency means you can verify each one without relying on centralized entities. This heightened transparency allows you to easily identify and resolve any transaction errors, and if the casino is licensed, you can take legal action against it just as you would against a traditional gambling establishment.

    Mobile Gaming

    The ubiquity of mobile devices has made mobile gaming commonplace. If you look at a cryptocurrency casino, you will be surprised at the rapid progress in the development of mobile applications and providing end customers with a comfortable game. Before, you had to download certain apps to run them on your phone and play comfortably. Now you can forget about it and start playing right from your browser. Bitcoin casinos are among the pioneers of this trend, utilizing HTML5 technology to the fullest. It is worth noting that Bitcoin casinos often lead the way in adopting new technologies aimed at improving user convenience.

    Fast service delivery

    The blockchain provides a quick and secure means of processing transactions, making it well-suited for online gambling. Not only do games run smoothly on the blockchain, but deposits and withdrawals from your casino account are also processed rapidly. You can use a range of popular cryptocurrencies to carry out your transactions. Later on, we will examine the most commonly used cryptocurrencies among Indian cryptocurrency casino players.

    Conclusion

    Blockchain casinos are one of the most preferred gambling options for Vietnamese people because there are practically no legal land-based gambling establishments on the territory of the country itself. At the same time, the government is trying to ban online gambling establishments on popular sites that are currently positioning themselves as classic or fundamental casinos that have been on the market for several decades. All these problems are solved by blockchain and modern methods of user anonymization.

    Moreover, the blockchain allows all players to feel completely safe due to the specifics of the algorithms that provide an honest and transparent result. You can read numerous studies by various researchers about exactly how the Bitcoin casino random number generator works. It is a more transparent and secure platform than even traditional and fundamental online gambling establishments.

     

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  • Bamboo Airways owes director $329M

    Bamboo Airways owes director $329M

    Bamboo Airways owes one of its directors, Le Thai Sam, almost VND7.73 trillion ($329.50 million) as of April 10, according to a meeting on Tuesday.

    Sam, who became a board member in July last year, will soon receive a 21.7% stake from FLC, which has been operating the airline since the beginning, according to a document made public at the Bamboo Airway’s extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

    As he already owns a 12.5% stake in the airline, the transfer from FLC will increase his ownership to more than one-third of the carrier.

    Since last year he has been lending the company cash at zero or low-interest rates and required no collateral to ensure the company could continue its operations despite many difficulties after its founder Trinh Van Quyet was arrested on stock manipulation charges.

    Sam, 59, has 30 years of experience in property, finance and banking. He used to be one of the directors of Development Investment Construction (DIC).

    Shareholders of Bamboo Airways on Tuesday approved the company’s proposal to issue more shares to increase its charter capital by 62% to VND30 trillion.

    The company will look to sell the shares to strategic investors with deep pockets who are willing to lend the company at least VND1 trillion.

  • Taxi company back in the black after four years

    Taxi company back in the black after four years

    Taxi firm Mai Linh Group reported its first profit of VND1 billion ($42,600) after four years in 2022.

    Its revenues surged by 57% to VND1.65 trillion on recovering demand for transportation after two years of Covid-19.

    It posted a loss of over VND270 billion in 2021.

    The company has overcome its most difficult period and is recovering, but its figures show that more work remains to be done, its chairman, Ho Huy, said in a letter to partners earlier this year.

    “We have not made as much profit as expected.”

    He added that the goal is to see every unit making profits this year.

    The company’s debt-equity ratio is a ridiculous 43. Anything in excess of two is considered risky.

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