Vietnam’s economy could expand by 8 percent in 2007 and 2008, the highest growth rate in the Southeast Asia, World Bank forecasts in a report released Thursday.
The World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Updates report estimated the country’s GDP growth last year at 8.2 percent, which was supported by across-the-board strength in exports, consumption and investment.
The report noted that investment in Vietnam had been boosted by a surge in foreign direct investment before the economy’s accession to the World Trade Organization in January.