Vietnam’s business confidence index (BCI) in the first quarter of the year increased by 31 points against the final quarter of last year, showing business optimism for the country’s economic growth in 2013.

According to a survey conducted by WVB Vietnam from late March to mid-April, most of the 129 participating enterprises agreed that Vietnam’s economy is in a better state than 12 months ago.

Seventy-one percent of the surveyed enterprises believe the country’s economy will do even better in the next 12 months, while only 9 percent said they are worried about the future of the economy. As a result, 60 percent of the enterprises believe their revenue and profits will be higher than in the previous quarter.

Government Resolution No. 13 on measures to ease difficulties in business and production, and Decree No. 08/2013/ND-CP on administrative sanctions for the production and trade of counterfeit goods were attributable to the improved confidence among enterprises, according to WVB.

WVB reported that most of the businesses said they believed in the Government’s commitment to curb inflation and that banks will provide more support for enterprises in 2013.-VNA