GDP growth of 7,2% in first quarter



Ha Noi, April 1 (VNA) -- Viet Nam recorded a gross domestic product, GDP, growth of 7.2 percent in the first quarter of this year, as compared to 5.6 percent in the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Department.

The increase was attributed to the positive results obtained in all key economic sectors, the department said, adding that the industrial and construction sectors grew 9.9 percent as compared to 7.4 percent last year, while that of the service sector rose 6.1 percent from 4.6 percent.

However, it said, agriculture, forestry and fishery posted a growth of 3.8 percent, due to a sluggish consumption of farm products and food.

In the first quarter, the industrial output increased 14.4 percent, the highest in recent years, including a rise of 10.4 percent in the State-owned sector, 17 percent in the non-State sector and 17.5 percent in the foreign-invested sector, the department said.--VNA