MAYHEM MEL NEWS

Guyana is projected to be the fastest-growing economy in 2026 at 22.4%, followed by South Sudan at the second-highest growth rate due to a post-conflict rebound.  focus-economics.com fdiintelligence.com Fastest Growing Economies in 2026 The following table lists the fastest-growing economies projected for 2026, along with their expected GDP growth rates: Rank Country Projected GDP Growth Rate 1 Guyana 22.4% 2 South Sudan 9.2% 3 Guinea 8.7% 4 Ethiopia 7.9% 5 Bhutan 7.5% 6 Vietnam 7.1% 7 Uganda 6.5% 8 Rwanda 6.3% 9 Benin 6.2% 10 Niger 6.0%

Do you have a snack for me? 🍎

Me going for a run.

☕️ ☕️ https://t.me/whisperoftruth

Bancassurance operations undergo restructuring Banks are increasingly moving beyond insurance distribution by taking stakes in insurers, reflecting a strategy to generate more stable fee income through customer ecosystems and long-term insurance services. After years of growth driven by lucrative exclusive distribution agreements, banks are now focusing more on customer value, service quality and sustainable revenue generation. https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1783498/bancassurance-operations-undergo-restructuring.html

Ministry proposes new policies for stock market The ministry proposes a sandbox mechanism and bond payment guarantee organisations in the securities sector in order to complete the legal framework for the capital market. The Ministry of Finance proposes adding many new regulations in a draft amended Securities Law to complete the legal framework for the capital market and enhance confidence and control risks for investors. According to the draft law, the sandbox is defined as a testing environment for the application of new technologies, the deployment of new products, services, and business models in the securities sector, with limited scope, subjects, space and time. https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1783505/ministry-proposes-new-policies-for-stock-market.html

Việt Nam, ADB to advance strategic projects with strong economic impact https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1783523/viet-nam-adb-to-advance-strategic-projects-with-strong-economic-impact.html

Green building trend flourishes in HCM City's real estate landscape Amidst stringent Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments, businesses are strategically opting to embrace eco-friendly practices to remain competitive in the market. https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1783541/green-building-trend-flourishes-in-hcm-city-s-real-estate-landscape.html

HÀ NỘI — A total of 76 two-character second-level .vn domain names will be put up for online auction on June 25 and 26, according to the Vietnam Internet Network Information Centre (VNNIC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The auction marks the second round this year for a group of short, high-value .vn domain names. The ministry approved the list of domains for the auction on May 20. Among the domains to be auctioned are ab.vn, dr.vn, ic.vn, 9x.vn, ny.vn, hi.vn, ok.vn, fu.vn, mb.vn, ot.vn and vv.vn, along with other letter-and-number combinations with strong branding potential. Each domain will have a starting price of VNĐ10 million (about US$380). https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1783559/76-premium-vn-domain-names-to-be-auctioned.html

Vietnam Seven new airports to be put into operation by 2030 https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/1783531/seven-new-airports-to-be-put-into-operation-by-2030.html

Vietnamese PM and Chinese Premier hold phone talks The two sides agree to promote cooperation in infrastructure, industries and agricultural trade. https://en.vneconomy.vn/vietnamese-pm-and-chinese-premier-hold-phone-talks.htm

Local authorities to directly issue fragrant rice export certificates from July 2026 Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held the sole authority for issuing these export certificates. Under the new regulations, agencies designated by chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees will directly receive and process applications. https://en.vneconomy.vn/local-authorities-to-directly-issue-fragrant-rice-export-certificates-from-july-2026.htm

Thailand joining tax information sharing system Cabinet backs adoption of OECD-led global minimum corporate tax of 15% https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3271715/thailand-joining-tax-information-sharing-system. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

Vietnam’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in the world. Can it make the leap into the ranks of middle-income countries? Hail a taxi in Vietnam's busy Ho Chi Minh City, and you may be surprised to be picked up by a cyan-colored, modern-looking EV. Unlike the motorcycles and scooters that dominated the city's streets for years, these electric taxis are both comfortable and homegrown; they're made by VinFast, an ambitious (and expensive) project by Vingroup—one of Vietnam's largest privately owned companies—that aims to turn the Southeast Asian country into a car manufacturer. And it's not just the consumer economy. Manufacturing, real estate, infrastructure, and tourism are all expanding. "You license a project in six months, you build it in 12," says Michael Piro, co-CEO of Indochina Capital and an investor in industrial real estate. "It's so easy. I've never seen, in my 20-year career, an opportunity like this."

Former US Ambassador: Why Vietnam, Taiwan and the US are the Indispensable Triangle in High-Tech Ecosystem The global high-tech supply chain is undergoing a profound structural realignment. Driven by the exponential demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) hardware and an urgent mandate for diversification, an indispensable tech ecosystem has crystallized between the United States, Taiwan, and Vietnam. This trilateral ecosystem bridges American capital and foundational IP, Taiwanese unmatched foundry and packaging mastery, and Vietnam’s rapidly scaling high-tech manufacturing capacity. In an exclusive interview, Marc Knapper, who has just retired as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam earlier in 2026, shared critical insights into how this strategic triangle was systematically constructed. He visited Taiwan for the first time to attend a forum hosted by FCC Partners, a Taiwan-based investment bank. https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=4832

ECS Group secures cargo GSSA deal with Vietnam Airlines in South Korea General Sales & Service Agent (GSSA), ECS Group, has been appointed by Vietnam Airlines as its cargo GSSA in South Korea, reinforcing its commitment to expanding cargo revenues and enhancing customer service in one of its most important international markets. ECS Group said the agreement covers comprehensive cargo representation, including sales development, capacity management, operational supervision, digital services and customer support. ECS Group will manage both general cargo and specialised cargo products, supporting Vietnam Airlines’ growing network and capacity between Korea, Vietnam and beyond. https://www.aviationbusinessnews.com/cargo/cargo-news/ecs-group-secures-cargo-gssa-deal-with-vietnam-airlines-in-south-korea/

Pico Play, a global leader in planning, designing, developing, and constructing world-class themed attractions and entertainment, is continuing to invest in Vietnam. Since 2022, the company has established two fabrication facilities and now aims to bring its workforce in Vietnam to 200 by the end of 2026. Recognising the country's potential as an emerging entertainment market, Pico Play's presence in Vietnam began with a facility in Hai Phong, followed by a second facility in 2025. The company currently employs approximately 150 local workers. https://blooloop.com/pico-play-vietnam-investment/

Vietnam group plans $360m plane repair hub with Hong Kong, Japan partners HAECO, JAL and Toyota Tsusho join project at Sun Group's Van Don airport https://asia.nikkei.com/business/business-deals/vietnam-group-plans-360m-plane-repair-hub-with-hong-kong-japan-partners

Astana Capital of Kazakhstan (In case you didn't know it is stunning.)

The ceremony of replacing the Kiswah of the Noble Kaaba with the advent of the new Hijri year https://x.com/onenewsiq/status/2066858064666353972?s=20