Vietnam working to stabilise economy amid challenges from pandemic

Despite the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s overall macro-economy remains stable, with encouraging growth seen in industries and a low rise of average consumer price index (CPI).
Vietnam working to stabilise economy amid challenges from pandemic hinh anh 1A corner of Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Despite the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s overall macro-economy remains stable, with encouraging growth seen in industries and a low rise of average consumer price index (CPI).

Positive outcomes

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam’s industrial production index (IIP) is estimated to have increased 9.9 percent in the first five months of this year compared to the same period of 2020. Agricultural production growth was recorded, with rice production increasing over the same period of 2020. Inflation was under control, while the average CPI in the first five months increased just 1.29 percent year-on-year, the lowest rate since 2016.

Accumulated State budget collections met 49.7 percent of the annual estimate in the period and were up 15.2 percent year-on-year. Export turnover, meanwhile, was estimated to have increased 30.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

The lending interest rate was low, creating favourable conditions for enterprises to borrow capital for production and business. The number of newly-established enterprises during January-May neared 55,800, the most for five years. FDI inflows in the period hit 14 billion USD, an annual increase of 0.8 percent.
Vietnam working to stabilise economy amid challenges from pandemic hinh anh 2Sock production line at the Chinese-invested Jasan
Textile & Dyeing (Vietnam) Co., Ltd in Hai Phong (Photo: VNA)

Solutions ready


Apart from these encouraging outcomes, the ministry also pointed out a series of challenges in the upcoming months. These include the increasing number of enterprises withdrawing from the market, unstable growth in foreign investment attraction, a pandemic-hit labour market, and difficult social welfare issues.

At a regular Government meeting in May, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung proposed a host of solutions. He said the Ministry of Health should cooperate with localities to build pandemic prevention options at industrial parks to avoid interruptions in supply chains, while studying the extension of the prioritised groups for COVID-19 vaccinations.

He projected inflationary pressure to rise over the remaining months of the year, recommending that the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) closely monitor global price fluctuations and trends in certain costly materials such as steel and cement, so that suitable forecasts can be made and solutions adopted.

Regarding foreign trade, MoIT and the Ministry of Finance were advised to research and prepare plans for adjustments to import taxes as well as for temporarily suspending or adjusting trade remedies for a number of commodities and raw materials with strong price increases, in a bid to meet market demand and promptly support businesses.

As for the disbursement of public investment capital, the Ministry of Planning and Investment proposed that ministries, branches, and localities proactively update, adjust, and announce unit prices of building materials and construction price indexes in line with market developments, to help enterprises and ensure their projects are on schedule.

Dung also forecast that the pandemic would remain complex for the time being, saying it is necessary to maintain and replicate effective agricultural production models and methods./.
News

Hoi An enters top 15 cities in Asia

The ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam has entered the top 15 cities in Asia selected by Travel+Leisure’s World's Best Awards 2021.

Photos of endemic birds in Vietnam on display

A photo exhibition featuring the life of endemic birds in Vietnam, particularly red-crowned cranes, has been introduced in Hanoi. Entitled “Moment of Nature”, the exhibition is aimed at delivering a message of protecting the natural environment.

Fishermen pull in nets in Da Nang city

Fishermen in the central city of Da Nang catch fish by tying ropes to their waists, walking backwards and using all of their strength to pull in fishing nets.

Pristine Lieng Nung waterfall in Dak Nong province

Located in Gia Nghia city, Dak Nong province, Lieng Nung waterfall, formed by the flow of Dak Nia stream which runs through N’Jrieng village, shows the wild beauty of the mountains and forests.