The GeneralStatistics Office (GSO) reported that the macro economy remained stable,inflation was controlled and major economic balances were ensured during theperiod.
Specifically, the country’s April consumer price index(CPI) inched up 0.07% month-on-month, and 4.4% year-on-year. In the fourmonths, it grew by 3.93% year-on-year, and the core inflation was up 2.81%.
State budget revenue was stood at 175.6 trillion VND(6.91 billion USD) last month and 733.4 trillion VND in the January-Aprilperiod, equivalent to 43.1% of the yearly estimate, and up 10,1% year-on-year.
In April, the country’s total trade value reached some61.2 billion USD, down 5.2% from the previous month, but up 15% compared to thesame period last year. The figure hit 238.88 billion USD in the first four months, up 15.2% year-on-year, withexports up 15%, imports up 15.4%, and a trade surplus of 8.4 billion USD.
For FDI disbursement, it increased 7.4% year-on-yearto 6.28 billion USD, the highest in a January-April period recorded over thepast five years.
Former General Director of the GSO Nguyen Bich Lam, however, saidthat the recovery pace remains modest, elaborating that the index of industrialproduction in April edged up only 0.8% from the previous month.
Moreover, agriculture – a pillar of the nationaleconomy – is facing drought and saltwater intrusion, which would affect foodproduction and husbandry, Lam added.
Given the global economic volatility and extreme weatherpatterns, the agro-forestry-fishery sector is forecast to encounter moredifficulties in the time ahead, he said.
To help the national economy sail through headwindsand recover quickly and sustainably, economists have suggested the Governmentand localities focus on boosting domestic consumption, raise service quality,and reduce air fares to promote domestic tourism and attract more internationalvisitors.
They also suggested the roll-out of preferential creditpackages for major sectors, and tax incentives, the completion of legaldocuments on exports and imports, trade promotion activities, and market diversification.
Businesses should bring into full play opportunitiesand commitments of trade agreements to boost exports, keep updated on marketinformation, and seek new orders and markets, they said.
Lam held that the Government should implement fiscaland monetary policies flexibly, and work to reduce monetary inflation pressureon the economy, adjust exchange rates flexibly to stabilise the prices ofimported raw materials, and improve the competitiveness of home-made products./.