The domestic foreign exchange market yesterday remained relatively stable after the United States (US) Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point.

The European Parliament (EP) adopted an official resolution ratifying the Vietnam – EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), at a plenary session in Strasbourg city, France, on December 17.

Some foreign investors have warned that they may leave Vietnam because of unfavorable conditions to do business. However, Vietnamese businesses and analysts believe they will stay in the country.

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to offer great opportunities for the Vietnamese export market. However, opportunities may be missed if supporting industries are not prepared quickly enough to take advantage of them.

State-run Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) remains at the top of the 500 Vietnamese biggest enterprises list in terms of revenue (VNR500) this year, while the Viet Nam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk) has been named the country's largest private enterprise.

Catering is currently the most franchised business in Vietnam, accounting for 43.7 percent of the recorded franchise deals, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Domestic Market Department.