The EVN Group may have to spend as much as USD856.7 million on oil-fuelled power generation next year.

The site clearance of a VND6.8 trillion power project in Nghe An Province has seen almost no progress, due to low compensation.

The Construction Ministry's draft decree requires a housing project to reserve 70% of its area for small and medium-sized apartments.

Vietnamese companies are forecast to owe VND6 trillion in social insurance payments to their staff by the end of the year.

Retail power prices will be increased by between 10%-15.6% in 2012, said Finance Minister Vuong Dinh Hue.

Loan rates in Vietnam will be further lowered by the end of the year thanks to the Government’s efforts to curb inflation.

Economist Mario Monti replaces Silvio Berlusconi as Italy's new prime minister on Wednesday, tasked with saving the eurozone heavyweight from a crisis.