Vietnam maintains high GDP growth rate
Ha Noi, Nov. 20 (VNA) -- Viet Nam has been able to maintain a GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of 6.1 percent this year in spite of unfavourable conditions, said chief representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) John Samy.
The ADB official made the remark at a press briefing held in Ha Noi yesterday, Nov. 19. He said that although Viet Nam's GDP growth rate decreased to 6.1 percent compared to an earlier ADB estimate of 6.4 percent, the country's growth has been satisfactory when compared to 2.4 percent in Southeast Asia and 3.4 percent in Asia.
Viet Nam's GDP is forecast to rise 6.2 percent in 2002 in comparison to a 4.5 percent rise in the region if the country takes advantage of its potential as a place for safe investment, as consultancy companies have recently judged. John Samy also noted that the forecasted rise is also dependent on continuing to accelerate reform programmes.
He added that the country can minimise external negative impacts by effectively tapping its own large market of 80 million people.--VNA
