A COVID-19 vaccination site in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Tokyo (VNA) - The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highly valued Vietnam’s policy support to cushion the impact of COVID-19 in tandem with successful maintenance of fiscal, external, and financial stability and an impressive vaccination rollout. In a press release following a recent consultation with Vietnam, the IMF Executive Board said a recovery is underway and high frequency indicators point to stronger momentum going into 2022, with rising retail sales, industrial production, and firm entry. Growth is expected to reach 6% in 2022 as activity normalisation continues and the programme for recovery and development is implemented. However, the recovery of the labour market is lagging as underemployment remains high. While inflation has recently picked up due to rising commodity prices and supply-chain disruptions, it remains well below the central bank’s inflation ceiling. The Executive Board … [Read more...] about IMF hails Vietnam’s moves to cushion COVID-19 impacts
Austerity vs stimulus the political future of economic recovery
N.A. Standing Committee agrees to reduce environmental protection tax for fuel
Accordingly, the N.A. Standing Committee adjusted the environmental protection tax rate from 2,000 VND (0.086 USD) to 1,000 VND per liter for petrol (except ethanol), from 1,000 VND to 500 VND per liter for diesel, from 1,000 VND to 300 VND per liter for mazut and lubricant and 300 VND per kg for grease. That for kerosene remains unchanged at 300 VND per liter. The reduction will be applied from July 11 until the end of this year. Speaking at the Standing Committee’s session, N.A. Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that as petrol prices have a strong impact on economic growth and macroeconomic stability, price stabilization is very important in the context of the current high oil prices. Therefore, this session was organized to adopt a practical and timely measure to stabilize the prices of petrol, diesel and grease, thus contributing to the implementation of the strategy for socio-economic recovery and development, curb inflation, macro-economic stability, and to reducing costs for … [Read more...] about N.A. Standing Committee agrees to reduce environmental protection tax for fuel
Construction sector should enhance consulting quality: President
He made the suggestion at a meeting with the association’s representatives on July 5 on the occasion of its 40th founding anniversary. Highlighting the importance of the construction sector to the national economy, the President required the VFCEA to advise the Party and the State on issues relating to development strategies such as housing, urban areas, industrial parks, socio-economic infrastructure, architectural planning, including related institutions and legal documents. He also asked the association to involve in fighting corruption and wastefulness in construction. The President proposed that the Government create favorable conditions for the VFCEA’s operation, and the Ministry of Construction facilitate the association's participation in research and discussions related to the management of planning, construction and infrastructure development of industrial parks, urban areas, workers' housing and new rural areas as well as perfecting legal institutions related to the … [Read more...] about Construction sector should enhance consulting quality: President
Vietnamese studies expert highlights Vietnam’s role in Russia – Southeast Asia ties
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who is scheduled to visit Vietnam on July 5-6 (Photo: AFP/VNA) Moscow (VNA) - Grigory Lokshin , an expert from the Centre for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Far Eastern Studies, has highlighted Vietnam's important role in stable ties between between Russia and the Far East in particular and Southeast Asia. Lokshin made the comment on July 5 while being interviewed by Russia’s Independent newspaper at the outset of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov ’s visit to Vietnam. According to the Russian expert, the cooperation in the field of military technology and energy, particularly oil and gas development projects, plays an important role in the bilateral relationship and is always a key topic at working sessions between the two countries' politicians. The Independent newspaper said Lavrov's Asia tour shows that Russia is reorienting its political and diplomatic resources with … [Read more...] about Vietnamese studies expert highlights Vietnam’s role in Russia – Southeast Asia ties