Potential for growth

S&P forecast Vietnam’s GDP will grow 6.9% in 2022 before settling closer to its long-term trend of growing 6.5%-7% from 2023 onward. S&P Global Ratings on May 26 raised its long-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Vietnam to 'BB+' from 'BB'. S&P expects Vietnam's economy to continue its upward trend. Source: S&P The rating agency also affirmed the country’s short-term rating at ‘B’ with a stable outlook. “The stable outlook reflects our expectations that over the next 12-24 months, Vietnam's economy will continue to recover from the challenges posed by the pandemic over the past two years. This will support the external position and rein in fiscal deficits,” it noted. S&P added it could raise the ratings if Vietnam's institutional settings improve considerably, in ways that augment policy predictability and transparency. Such favorable changes in the policy environment could bolster investor confidence in the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s long-term credit rating upgraded to “BB+”: S&P

The AFD and EU have been actively supporting Vietnam in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Vietnam will receive financial aid from the EU and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to reduce the vulnerability to climate hazards in several towns in four northern and central provinces. The project is jointly co-financed with a EUR5 million (US$5.36 million) grant from the EU, a EUR123 million ($132 million) ODA loan from the AFD, and EUR 28 million ($30 million) from provincial budgets. The principal goal is to help localities adapt to climate change and recover from natural disasters such as flooding, typhoons, and drought. Delegates attend the launching ceremony. Photo: the Embassy of France in Vietnam The regional towns include Phat Diem in the northern province of Ninh Binh, Ngoc Lac in the central province of Thanh Hoa, and Hoang Mai in the central province of Nghe An, Huong Khe, and Thach Ha in the central province of Ha Tinh. … [Read more...] about AFD, EU strengthen urban climate resilience in Vietnam

The administration of Binh Duong province, in collaboration with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney and Becamex IDC Corporation, organized an investment promotion seminar in Sydney on May 27. Binh Duong promotes investment opportunities in Australia. (Photo: baobinhduong.vn) In his remarks, Consul General Nguyen Dang Thang introduced to Australian officials and businesses the potential for expanding trade and investment in Vietnam, affirming that the two countries have treasured a close relationship in various fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade and investment. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Australia reached a record high of more than US$12.4 billion in 2021, a year-on-year rise of 49.45%. The first four months of this year alone also saw bilateral trade grow impressively, reaching US$4.8 billion, up 32.37% compared to the same period of last year. With regard to investment, as … [Read more...] about Vietnam seeks Australian investment opportunities in Sydney

Bilateral trade recovery According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, after two years of COVID-19, trade between Vietnam and the UK recovered in 2021, reaching nearly US$6.6 billion. This included more than US$5.7 billion worth of Vietnam’s exports to the UK, an increase of 16.4 percent compared with 2020. Vietnamese goods at a UK supermarket Products with high export growth included fruit and vegetables (up 67 percent); coffee (up 17 percent); pepper (up 49 percent); carpets and products made of bamboo, rattan and sedge (up 56 percent); iron and steel materials (up 1,269 percent); steel products (up 100 percent) and toys and sports equipment (up 19 percent). The value of Vietnam’s imports from the UK reached nearly US$850 million, an increase of 23.6 percent compared with 2020. In the first four months of 2022, Vietnam’s exports to the UK reached an estimated US$4.8 billion with key products including seafood, coffee, pepper, cashew nuts, plastic products, … [Read more...] about Vietnam-UK agreement creates leverage for bilateral trade

It was necessary to improve the legal framework for REITs so that investors could feel secure in investing. — VNA/VNS Photo Viet Nam needs to improve the legal framework to promote the development of real estate investment trusts (REITs) to add capital to the property market while bank credit and corporate bond issuance were being tightened. According to the Viet Nam Association of Realtors, property developers mainly raised capital from stakeholders, bank credit and corporate bond issuance. The tightening of bank credit and corporate bond issuance would force them to look for alternatives and REITs were predicted to become more popular as a capital raising channel for developers, the association said. REIT was a form of capital contribution for one or a porfolio of real estate projects, real estate enterprises by individuals and organisations through the buying of shares or fund certificates and getting returns based on the performance of the real estate projects or … [Read more...] about It’s time to promote the development of REITs: association

Minh made the suggestion while delivering his remarks at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia (FOA 2022) in Tokyo on May 26. He said, entering the third decade of the 21st century, Asia is witnessing historical profound changes, with both opportunities and challenges that have long-term impacts on future generations. As the region and the world are focusing resources on addressing urgent and unprecedented issues, first and foremost, countries need to make responsible contributions, show mutual respect, and equally cooperate for mutual benefits, he said. In the region, territorial disputes at sea continue to threaten peace and security. Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea), it is necessary to settle disputes and disagreements via peaceful measures and in line with international law, particularly the United Nations Charter and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, he said. Minh also suggested that more than ever before, Asia … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls on Asia to maintain peaceful, stable environment for prosperity