Green light for Vietnam's exchange site HANOI - Vietnam's Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has approved a US$13.7 million plan to upgrade a building in Ho Chi Minh City that will house the country's pilot stock market. A State Securities Commission official yesterday said renovation would start next month after the Lunar New Year holiday. She did not say how long renovation would take but said the commission still planned to tender for a stock market trading system to install in the building, which houses offices of the central bank. The lack of a renovated building, a properly-equipped trading floor and a dearth of suitable companies to float have caused Vietnam to miss several deadlines to open an exchange. On Wednesday, the commission said it intended to set up a trial trading system in Ho Chi Minh City ahead of the opening of a pilot exchange, although formal approval from the government was still needed for the plan. Reuters - January 21, 2000.