Business confidence falters in first quarter

In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam ’s business confidence index dropped by three points from last year’s fourth quarter, according to the latest survey by WVB Vietnam Financial Intelligence Service Company.
In the first quarter of this year, Vietnam ’s business confidenceindex dropped by three points from last year’s fourth quarter, accordingto the latest survey by WVB Vietnam Financial Intelligence ServiceCompany.

This underlines the fact that many businesses are uncertain about the future in the domestic and global marketplace.

Nearly 44.5 percent of all surveyed businesses said they do not haveany plans on recruiting more employees, while 14.8 percent will cut backthe size of their workforce in the near future.

Regarding investments in fixed assets, nearly 44.5 percent ofrespondents said they will maintain their current levels, while 20.4percent will reduce their investment and only 35 percent plan to spendmore.

The survey also showed that over 56 percent ofbusinesses believe that the falling interest rates on deposits willbring down the cost of borrowing, but only in the short term. Howeverthey remain uncertain as to whether or not they will be able to accesspreferential loans.

Many of those attending saidthat the State’s decision to raise the minimum monthly salary to1,050,000 VND from May 1 will increase labour and production costs,putting them under even more financial pressure.-VNA

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