Low credit growth target for 2014

Despite significant improvement, credit is unlikely to reach the 12 percent growth target this year. Economists are worried that the slow growth in 2013 would continue in 2014. For this reason, economic experts have offered proposals, regarding monetary policy for 2014. Report by Vietnam Economic News.
Despite significant improvement, credit is unlikely to reach the 12percent growth target this year. Economists are worried that the slowgrowth in 2013 would continue in 2014. For this reason, economic expertshave offered proposals, regarding monetary policy for 2014. Report byVietnam Economic News.

Credit needs to grow by just 10 percent in 2014?

The State Bank of Vietnam’s Money Policy Department Director NguyenThi Hong said, “The 12 percent credit growth target for this year can beadjusted to match realities. The credit growth has reached 7.18 percentso far this year and is expected to increase to 10-11 percent by theyear’s end given that credit usually increases rapidly in the lastmonths of the year. The State Bank will flexibly adjust credit growthtargets for high-performing credit institutions and quickly resolve baddebts via the Vietnam Assets Management Company (VAMC).”

It is expected that the macro economy will improve in 2014 as a resultof economic recovery. However, many economic experts warned ofinflation again next year as a result of economic growth measures andthe budget overspending rate increase to 5.3 percent.

They also said that businesses will still face difficulties and thatto reach the economic growth rate of 5.8 percent next year, ministriesand sectors need to take comprehensive measures to boost credit flowsinto the economy.

Small and Medium EnterprisesAssociation Chairman Dr. Cao Si Kiem said that the State Bank of Vietnamhas put in place money policy tools under the market principle, whileensuring publicity and transparency, which has received good responsefrom the society, businesses and investors. However, systematicsolutions are also needed to resolve problems, particularly bad debts.

Economist Dr Vu Dinh Anh said, “The macro economywill not change drastically next year and it will be ok to continue themoney policy. The government should not loosen the money policy and setthe credit growth rate of 12 percent. It is reasonable to increasecredit by only 10 percent in 2014-2015 since both banks and businesseshave realised their difficulties.”

“The mostimportant thing for the Vietnamese credit system is not to grow but toimprove the quality of credit and resolve bad debts, particularly stopnew bad debts. In case that credit standards are loosened, the amount ofbad debts will increase within three to six months," he stressed.

Temporarily using profits to resolve bad debts

Many said that the money policy still need to be flexible and stableand the struggle with bad debts should be accelerated. NationalFinancial Monitoring Committee Deputy Chairman Truong Van Phuoc saidthat resolving bad debts meant that credit will be reduced and that thecredit growth rate could be lowered to 9 percent. “We have used profitsfor the next three years to resolve national bad debts,” he said.

HSBC Vietnam General Director Summit Dutta said that establishing abad debt management authority is a good solution in the currentsituation. Dr. Cao Si Kiem also said that resolving bad debts shouldstill be a major task for next year. Without this, businesses will beunlikely to recover and banks will be unlikely to become stable.

Business Development Research Institute Director Dr. Le Xuan Nghiasaid that if banks resolve their bad debts, the credit growth rate willincrease to 14-15 percent in the near future.

Healso suggested that the State Bank of Vietnam pay special attention toresolving bad debts, strengthening international-standard management,increasing supervision and information publicity and transparency toenhance people’s trust in banks and the government’s money managementpolicy.-VNA

See more

Shoppers at Winmart (Photo: VNA)

National brand programme drives Vietnamese corporate competitiveness

Vietnam’s national brand value reached 462.28 billion USD in 2026, up 45.14% from 2020 and ranking 32nd among 193 countries, according to Brand Finance. The challenge, however, goes beyond climbing the rankings or scaling up. It is turning those gains into lasting competitiveness and getting Vietnamese firms deeper into global value chains.

Loading and unloading steel products at Hoang Dieu–Chua Ve Port, Hai Phong city (Photo: VNA)

Hai Phong city seeks to boost inland waterway transport

According to the Hai Phong Maritime Administration, inland waterways carry coal, agricultural products, ores, stone, cement and other bulk cargoes, helping ease pressure on roads, particularly those connecting seaports and industrial parks.

Speakers at the conference (from left): AVPI Advisory Board Chair Dr Le Thu Huong, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Gillian Bird, and Vietnamese Consul General in Sydney Nguyen Thanh Tung. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia turn momentum into practical cooperation

Vietnam and Australia should focus on promoting two-way investment, expanding cooperation linked to APEC 2027 and making better use of people-to-people connections. Vietnam needs capital, skills, technology, infrastructure, and energy transition expertise - areas where Australia could offer valuable support.

The interface of the National E-Procurement System. (Photo: muasamcong.mpi.gov.vn)

Vietnam to move PPP bidding online from 2027

From January 1, 2027, PPP project proposals must be submitted through the National E-Procurement System. From September 1, 2027, investor selection for PPP projects tendered through open bidding will move fully online.

An automated robot-based production line at CAYI Technology Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Yen Phong II-C Industrial Park, Bac Ninh city (Photo: VNA)

EuroCham: Business Confidence Index in Vietnam remains high at 78.3 in Q3

The survey found that 64% of respondents described their current business conditions as good or very good, while 28% maintained a neutral or cautious outlook, reflecting a wait-and-see attitude as international demand remains flat and businesses look for policy momentum to translate into faster procedures and more predictable outcomes.

Workers manufacture handheld power tools at the Keystone Electrical Vietnam factory in Lien Ha Thai Industrial Park, Thai Thuy commune, Hung Yen province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks to turn FDI inflows into domestic value added

Vietnam is shifting its FDI attraction strategy from expanding investment volumes to prioritising capital inflows that brings technology, knowledge, modern management practices and stronger links with domestic businesses, particularly in semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), chips and renewable energy.

At Yadea Vietnam’s smart manufacturing plant in Tan Hung Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ties FDI incentives to local supplier commitments

Incentives will increasingly hinge on investors’ performance and commitments, not just on landing projects. Key commitments include transferring technology to Vietnamese firms, training workers, providing technical support and opening FDI supply chains to domestic companies.

Green SM has launched all-electric taxi service in the US. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Green SM launches all-electric taxi service in US

The move brings Green SM into one of the world’s most dynamic and demanding markets. It also marks another step in the international expansion of the Vietnamese mobility brand, following its rapid growth across markets in Asia and Europe.

An overview of the meeting between IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam strengthens financial cooperation at IMF-World Bank annual meetings

The Vietnamese Governor underscored the complementary roles of global and regional financial cooperation mechanisms, including the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). He also highlighted the importance of technical assistance in fintech, digital transformation, cybersecurity and risk management.

Representatives of the organising committee at the opening ceremony of the fair (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Cambodia trade expo promotes bilateral economic cooperation

The Vietnam-Cambodia Business Networking and Product Promotion Exposition has become a key trade promotion event, creating business and investment opportunities while strengthening mutual understanding and trust between the two countries’ armies, people and enterprises.