State-owned enterprises sold shares worth more than VND2.08 trillion (US$93.2 million) in book value for VND4.17 trillion ($186.3 million) in the first five months of 2016. — Photo doanhnhansaigon.vn

HA NOI ( Biz Hub) — State-owned enterprises sold shares worth more than VND2.08 trillion (US$93.2 million) in book value for VND4.17 trillion ($186.3 million) in the first five months of 2016.

This was announced by the Ministry of Finance on June 6. 

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 and Corporation 36, as well as 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 from a total book value of VND985 billion. 

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 per cent of the total number, filed tax returns online while more than 492,000, or 91.58 per cent, registered to pay taxes online. 

According to the ministry, the total budget revenue during the first five months reached VND396.2 trillion, equaling 39.1 per cent of this year's target and representing an increase of 4.5 per cent over last year. 

Budget spending was VND466.3 trillion, equivalent to 36.6 percent of the yearly estimate and a year on year expansion of 4.7 percent. 

Overspending stood at some VND70 trillion, accounting for 27.6 percent of the estimated total. — VNS