Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Some 45.6 percent of processing-manufacturing enterprises expect a better business outlook in the fourth quarter of this year, according to a recent survey by the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Covering about 6,500 enterprises in the sector, the survey revealed that 35.4 percent of firms predict a stable business situation into the future and only 19 percent see more difficulties ahead.
The FDI sector showed more optimism that most, with 82.8 percent of enterprises believing in a better and more stable situation in the fourth quarter compared to the third. The ratio in the State-owned sector was 81.7 percent and the non-State sector 80.2 percent.
Meanwhile, 32.2 percent of enterprises said production in the third quarter was better than in the second, while 31.9 percent said business faced difficulties in Q3 and 35.9 percent reported stable operations.
In terms of production volumes, 36 percent said they posted increases in the third quarter over the second quarter, while 30 percent saw losses and 34 percent were stable. Some 45.9 percent expected rising production volumes over the remainder of the year, 36.6 percent predict stability, and 17.5 percent foresee declines.
Regarding the number of orders, 30.9 percent of respondents said they received more in the third quarter than in the second quarter, 30.6 percent saw fewer, and 38.5 percent reported that orders were stable.
For the fourth quarter, 35.6 percent of enterprises said that they hoped for more export orders while 20.4 percent believe orders would be fewer and 44 percent expect a stable number of orders for export.
Though the results of the survey were optimistic overall, the GSO pointed out that in the first nine months of 2020, the number of businesses temporarily suspending operations stood at 38,600, up 81.8 percent against the same period last year, while 27,600 businesses ceased business while awaiting dissolution and nearly 12,100 completed dissolution procedures./.
VNA
