VN starts new year with strong impressions: PM

Photo: VGP

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting on February 2, the Government leader reviewed some noticeable highlights of Viet Nam’s socio-economic situation over the past month. 

The country’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 53.4 in January, the highest in the ASEAN region and even higher than that of the Republic of Korea and China. 

The industrial production index increased by 20.9%, with the manufacturing and processing sector growing by 23.8%. International tourist arrivals to Viet Nam reached more than 1.4 million, up 42% year on year. 

There was also a surge in the number of newly established businesses and enterprises that resumed operations, at 10,800 and more than 4,500 firms, respectively. 

Meanwhile, Viet Nam’s foreign exchange reserves increased to approximately US$57 billion.

Alongside the positive results, there still remain some targets which need to be noticed, such as the low consumption of Vietnamese goods in comparison to imported commodities, PM Phucstated.

Photo: VGP

The consumer price index (CPI) in January rose by 0.51%, a high increase level compared to the same period of 2017, he said, requesting closer and smoother coordination in adjusting the prices of electricity and educational and healthcare services, in order to ensure the realization of the CPI growth target of below 4% set for the year.

During the meeting, the Government discussed, assessed and inspected the implementation of its Resolution No. 1 on the major tasks and solutions guiding the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and State budget estimates for 2018, in order to accelerate the work in a more active and responsible manner.

                                                                                                                            By Vien Nhu