VINACHEM

HA NOI (VNS)— The Ministry of Finance decided yesterday to allow
domestic petrol retailers to receive more money from the Price
Stabilisation Fund in a move to keep domestic petrol prices stable in
the wake of a global price hike.

Coal-to-gas switching in the US could decline as much as 2.6 Bcf/d
year-on-year in 2013 because of higher natural gas prices, increased
renewables generation and forecast lighter cooling demand this summer, a
report BNP Paribas issued late Monday said.

Gold recouped early losses on Monday on firmer equities and after last
week's drop to a 7-month low spurred physical buying in Asia, but
investors were cautious over the outcome of an unpredictable election in
Italy and its impact on the euro zone.

Accordingly, Viet Nam expects to obtain a GDP growth rate of 5.5%;
export turnover increase of 10%; excess of imports over exports at 8%;
CPI increase of 6-6.5%; and poor household reduction of 2%.