Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a decision to conduct a national survey on business, administrative, non-profit and religious establishments next year that would facilitate the country's assessment and forecast of the socio-economic development trends.

This is the fourth of its kind in Vietnam ; previous surveys were carried out in 1995, 2002 and 2007.

Survey responders include administrative offices, religious institutions, foreign enterprises' brands and representative offices, non-profit organisations and business establishments except those operating in agriculture, aquaculture and forestry sector.

The survey will collect background information about the establishments, their employment, operation, assets and liability, as well as information technology application.

Under the decision, a national steering committee for the survey is set up, led by the Minister of Planning and Investment and head of General Statistics Office. At lower levels of cities/provinces, districts and communes, there will be committees to ensure the survey smoothly takes place.

According to the latest census result in 2007, Vietnam had more than 4.1 million establishments, about 44 percent higher than that of 2002. More than 16.7 million people reportedly worked in the establishments./.