Briefs

Central Group Vietnam and one of its subsidiaries, Big C, plan to intensify investment in new shopping malls and thoroughly renovate Big Cs to make them modern, high-end retail complexes.
The upgrade will offer shoppers a convenient experience and friendly ambience.
By 2021 they will spend US$30 million (Bt1 billion) on overhauling 13 out of 34 Big Cs nationwide, and double their rentable space of 470,000 square metres. 
The plan came out of a meeting with tenants held in Ho Chi Ming City last week.
The renovated complexes would see drastic enhancements and improvement in customer convenience, meeting the needs not only for general entertainment and shopping but also for new entertainment and shopping trends and preparing for the needs of modern consumers.
“Our DNA is based on the development of our business through partnerships as well as partners and suppliers. 
“We aim to build a sustainable platform in Vietnam and this is only possible when we work with a mutual-benefit mindset,” said Philippe Broianigo, CEO of Central Group Vietnam and Big C. 
The meeting with tenants will become an annual feature to get feedback from them and disclose the group’s strategy.
The event attracted more than 300 tenants. — Viet Nam News

Habeco, Carlsberg deal ‘ not yet finalised’
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has not yet completed talks to sell its ownership in Ha Noi Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Corporation to Danish brewer Carlsberg, according to officials.
At a meeting held on Monday between the ministry and the prime minister’s working group, officials said it would take a while to complete the deal due to its complexity and the involvement of other ministries and sectors.
“Habeco and Carlsberg have discussed the deal, however, the two sides have not come to a final agreement yet,” Dung said. 
“The negotiation was quite complicated and we need to handle it carefully.”
“The sale of the state’s stake in Habeco must be transparent and based on market rules. It requires a lot of time and procedures,” he said.
The department has sent a request to the Justice Ministry for consulting on the contract, the official said. – Viet Nam News

Bank Indonesia launches fintech office
Bank Indonesia on Monday launched a special office to facilitate the development of the financial technology industry to ensure that the burgeoning industry would benefit society and work hand-in-hand with the country’s financial system.
“We have come to the conclusion that technological innovation is inevitable. 
“With the rapid changes, regulations should not try to precede innovation, but it should stay close to innovation,” central bank governor Agus Martowardojo said prior to the inauguration of the fintech office in Jakarta.
The central bank said its fintech office would handle four major duties – facilitating the exchange of ideas and information, presenting the latest information of fintech development through regular meetings with authorities and international institutions, assessing and mapping the risks of business models and implementing the “regulatory sandbox”, and providing one-stop services to help fintech players understand regulatory policies.
“As part of the assessment function, the BI fintech office is introducing an initiative called a regulatory sandbox. 
“The initiative can be seen as a laboratory where startups and regulators assess a business model before launching it for customers,” he said.
There are about 120 fintech players operating in Indonesia, of which 56 per cent are engaged in the payment, clearing and settlement business.
According to online statistics portal Statista, fintech’s transactions in Indonesia would reach $14.5 billion this year. – The Jakarta Post