Some 37 state-owned firms received approvals for their equitisation plans, including Machines and Industrial Equipment Corporation, Vietnam Engine and Agricultural Machinery Corporation, Vietnam National Construction Consultants Corporation, Corporation 36, Vietnam Forest Corporation, and Vietnam General Corporation of Agricultural Materials. 

The State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) also offloaded its shares in a number of companies during the period, earning over VND2.8 trillion (US$125.9 million) from a total book value of VND985 billion (US$44 million). 

By May 20, e-tax payment services were provided in all 63 cities and provinces across the country. More than 535,000 businesses, or 99.59 percent of the total number, have filed tax returns online while more than 492,000, or 91.58%, have registered to pay taxes online. 

According to the ministry, total budget revenue during the first five months reached VND396.2 trillion (US$17.7 billion), equaling 39.1% of this year’s target and representing an increase of 4.5% over last year. 

Budget spending was VND466.3 trillion (US$20.8 billion), equivalent to 36.6% of the yearly estimate and a year on year expansion of 4.7%. 

Overspending stood at around VND70 trillion (US$3.1 billion), accounting for 27.6% of the estimated total.