Vietnamese import-export businesses expect their demands for trade sponsors to increase in the next six months, according to a recent survey conducted by the UK-based Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC).

According to the survey, 52 percent of the respondents said they will exploit trade sponsor sources from banks, while 34 percent affirmed they will use their own capital to do business.

In regard to measures to protect businesses from payment risks posed by buyers, 38 percent of the enterprises chose to offer a flexible deadline or limited transactions with specific partners, a significant increase from 14 percent of respondents in the previous survey in 2010.

Other methods such as only accepting small-scale orders to reduce risks, requiring payments upfront and using more forms of trade sponsorship through banks were among options chosen by enterprises while fewer businesses pinned their hope on export risk insurance.

A major proportion of Vietnamese enterprises (81 percent) saw changes in the foreign exchange rate as the biggest challenge in doing business and many were concerned that such changes may adversely affect their business in the second half of this year.

The increasing interest rate has become the second biggest problem hindering the development of enterprises.

According to the survey, business confidence index in the Vietnamese market reduced 6 points compared with the figure in last year’s second half to reach 116 points.

Meanwhile, the highest indices were recorded in emerging markets such as India (140), Saudi Arabia (132) and Mexico (125).

The survey said 70 percent of enterprises in Vietnam are optimistic about the business environment in Vietnam and hope that trading would continue to develop in the future./.