PM urges stronger measures to manage interest rates

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to proactively, flexibly, promptly, and effectively manage the monetary policy in combination with the expansionary fiscal policy and others.

Illustrative image. (Source: baochinhphu.vn)
Illustrative image. (Source: baochinhphu.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to proactively, flexibly, promptly, and effectively manage the monetary policy in combination with the expansionary fiscal policy and others.

In an official dispatch, sent to the SBV Governor, the Minister of Public Security, and the Government Inspector General on December 16, the leader noted that the move aims to enhance State management over the banking sector, thus spurring economic growth and achieving all the main targets set in the 2024 socio-economic development plan and another for the 2021-2025 period.

He asked the central bank to coordinate with relevant agencies to keep tabs on the regional and international situation, as well as changes and adjustments in financial and monetary policies of big economies to have timely and effective policy responses.

Priorities should be given to boosting growth in parallel with ensuring macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, and maintaining major economic balances, striving for an economic growth rate of at least 8% in 2025 in order to lay the bedrock for double-digit growth in the 2026-2030 span.

The SBV needs to intensify efforts to drastically and effectively implement measures and tasks in managing interest and exchange rates, and credit growth, the leader said, suggesting a focus on reducing lending interest rates, particularly strictly controlling deposit interest rates at commercial banks. These actions aim to meet capital demands during the year-end period and the first months of 2025, removing obstacles for people and businesses.

Credit institutions engaging in unfair or noncompliant interest rate competition, including both deposit and lending rates, must be strictly handled, he emphasised, urging the central bank to step up inspections and supervisions over the operation of the institutions.

Credit institutions should focus lending on priority production and business sectors and traditional economic growth drivers, such as investment, consumption, and export, along with new engines like digital transformation, green transition, climate change response, circular economy, sharing economy, science-technology, and innovation, the PM said.

The Ministry of Public Security, the Government Inspectorate, and other competent agencies were also requested to continue monitoring the operation of credit institutions, enhance inspections and supervisions, and strictly handle violations./.

VNA

See more

The opening of the Ho Chi Minh City Pavilion at the 2025 Saudi Food Show being held from May 12 to 14 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre. (Photo: courtesy of ITPC)

HCM City businesses attend Saudi Food Show in Riyadh

The HCM City pavilion is a joint exhibition space comprising three adjacent sections with a total area of 300 square metres organised by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City and the Vietnam Trade Office in Saudi Arabia.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the dialogue with the US business community in Hanoi on May 13. (Photo: VNA)

US businesses affirm long-term commitment to Vietnam

During the meeting, US delegates expressed appreciation for the Vietnamese Government’s goodwill and for its efforts to maintain a favourable investment climate. They proposed Vietnam continue enhancing its business environment by addressing bottlenecks in administrative procedures, non-tariff barriers, taxation, and fees, while ensuring infrastructure conditions, transparency, and rules of origin

Consumers at a supermarket in HCM City (Photo: baodautu.vn)

Vietnam, US push for balanced trade

Imports from the US are predicted to rise sharply in the coming months as large Vietnamese enterprises are accelerating purchases from the North American market in efforts to balance bilateral trade.

The reduction of bank staff will continue to be strong in 2025, as banks are promoting digital transformation and restructuring operations to improve cost management efficiency. (Photo: vnbusiness.vn)

Banks cut staff, transaction branches amid digital promotion

VietinBank will be the first bank in the country’s group of four largest State-owned commercial banks (Big4) to cut the number of its transaction offices. According to a plan released at VietinBank’s annual general meeting of shareholders (AGM) recently, the bank is expected to cut hundreds of transaction points to streamline the system in 2025.

The Binh Duong Centralised IT Zone is located within the Binh Duong Industrial – Service – Urban Complex. (Photo baobinhduong.vn)

Binh Duong develops new 16-hectare centralised IT zone

The establishment of a new centralised information technology (IT) zone in Binh Duong Province marks a significant step in the locality’s digital transformation strategy and its ambition to build a knowledge-based economy.

Workers manufacture electronic components. (Photo: VNA)

PM orders overhaul to improve business environment

The dispatch further highlights the need for comprehensive measures to enhance governance capacity, accelerate socio-economic progress, and improve the investment and business landscape with a clear emphasis on sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (centre) and other delegates attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ninh Binh–Hai Phong Expressway Project’s section passing through Nam Dinh and Thai Binh provinces. (Photo: VNA)

Transport, industrial development essential for Thai Binh to be wealthier: PM

​The groundbreaking ceremonies of the Ninh Binh–Hai Phong Expressway Project’s section and the Hung Phu Industrial Park in Thai Binh affirm the government’s determination to create an attractive investment and business environment for both domestic and foreign investors; foster provincial and regional connectivity, generate momentum and open new development space for Thai Binh and the northern coastal region.

Representatives from Vietnam Airlines and Russia’s state-owned VTB Bank exchange the MOU on cooperation. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Vietnam Airlines signs MoU on cooperation with Russia's VTB Bank

The MoU also demonstrates Vietnam Airlines' efforts to expand its partnership in the international market, while affirming its pioneering role in connecting Vietnam with the world, contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam-Russia relations in the new period.

An auto assembly line at Kim Long Motor Hue in the Chân May - Lang Co Economic Zone in the central city of Hue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam eyes 8% growth in 2025 through strategic reforms

With decisive policy actions, proactive diplomacy and strategic reform priorities, the country is now aiming for an ambitious GDP growth target of 8% or more this year - a goal lawmakers and experts believe is within reach, provided key breakthroughs are implemented effectively.