GDP likely to surpass goal: PM

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s GDP this year is very likely to surpass the initial target of 6.7 per cent, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on Thursday morning.

Phúc opened the regular cabinet meeting with positive news about the country’s macro economy, saying that 12 out of 12 growth targets set by the National Assembly this year are due to be met, of which eight are likely to see better performance than expected.

Regarding the socio-economic development in August, the PM said that it was generally better than last month with inflation still under control.

The average consumer price index over the last eight months only increased by 3.52 per cent compared to that of the same period in 2017.

Việt Nam so far enjoys a trade surplus of US$2.8 billion, with 25 products having export volumes worth more than $1 billion.

Total registered foreign-related investment into Việt Nam as of August 20 reached more than $24.3 billion – an increase of 4.2 per cent over the same period last year.

More than 87,000 new enterprises were set up across the country so far this year while 21,000 enterprises resumed operations. — VNS