However, the growth forecast for 2017 is 6.3%, higher than the average growth of the East Asia Pacific region which is 5.8% for 2016. According to the World Bank, a drop in demand will lead to a decrease in Vietnam's exports. Slow restructuring will create hindrances for productivity, and slow solutions to bad debts will also pressure growth. In a recent conference, the government reiterated its efforts to reach a growth rate of 6.3% to 6.5%. The WB representative said Vietnam should focus on quality and sustainability instead of medium and short-term solutions in order to achieve set goals.
