According to GSO (General Statics Organization), in May 2008, industrial production revenues increased 16.7% against the same period last year. In the first 5 months, industrial production revenues increased 16.4%, in which the non-state sector increased 22.1%. Some provinces who have higher rate of increase than the nationwide average are Hai Duong (38%), Vinh Phuc (35,5%), Binh Duong (23,5%), Ha Tay (22,7%) ... Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city, the 2 big cities, only increased 15% and 13, 4%. Product which achieved highest increase rate is truck (109, 8%), hauling machine (41, 5%), TV (30, 5%), air conditioner (approximately 30%)….
The value of export turnover in the first 5 months of 2008 reached 23.4 billion USD, 27,2% higher than the same period of 2007, in which State sector contributed 9.9 billion USD (increased 23%) and FDI sector contributed 8.9 billion USD (exclude crude oil) - increased 23,9%. The value of export turnover of almost goods increased, compared to the same period last year, mainly due to prices' escalation. By the end of May, 7 products achieved the export turnover over 1 billion USD in the whole country, are crude oil, garment and textile, rice, footwear, coffee, timber products and aquatic products.
According to Foreign Investment Agency (MPI), in May 2008, 130 FDI projects received Investment Certificate with total registered capital is 7,498 billion USD. 132 projects increased registered capital with total supplemented 600 million USD. In general, total registered capital of the first 5 months of this year achieved over 15 billion USD, 2 times higher than the same period of 2007. Services field made up more than 90% of total registered capital, in which projects in real-estate business, hotel ranked number 1 with more than 60% of total registered capital. Industry made up 8,9% while the others capitals are for Agricultures - Forestry - Fish-breeding field.
Many big projects were granted Investment Certificate, in which Ho Tram's Complex Tourism and Resort Project (Ba Ria - Vung Tau), invested by ACDL Cooperation (Canada), with total registered capital of 4.2 billion USD, has just started. Good Choice USA-Vietnam Limited Company invests 1.299 billion USD in building 5-star hotel, amusement park, in Ba Ria - Vung Tau. Berjaya Leisure joint-stock company (Malaysia) invests in real estates business with the capital of 930 million USD. Viet-Nhat's human resources development joint-stock company project are invested by 3 Japanese companies, which goals are building offices for rent, producing software, supplying human resources, with total registered capital of 610.3 million USD. Lap An's development and investment limited company project of Singapore, which goal is building 5 star hotels, house for sell and rent, living house in Thua Thien Hue, has total registered capital of 298.4 million USD.
In the first 5 months of this year, there are some changes in investment partner structure. In 29 countries and territories invested in Vietnam, B.V. Islands, United States and Canada are at the top of the biggest investors in Vietnam
Although the economics situation in May and the first 5 months of this year had some positive changes, it still has faced with a lot of difficulties and challenges.
Firstly, trade gap continues to increase in May. In the first 5 months, trade gap reached 14.4 billion USD, equal to 61,6% of the export turn-over. The other concern is the low speed of FDI disbursement include capital from nation budget, ODA and FDI. In the past 5 months, the disbursement of ODA's capital reached only 30% compare with this year plan, decreased 20% against the same period of last year; the disbursement of FDI's capital estimated about 3.95 trillion USD, equal to 38.3 % the total disbursement capital of 2007 and 30% of the 2008 year estimation. With the total newly registered capital in the past 5 months is 15.3 billion USD, the gap between registered capital and disbursed capital has more and more increased.
Curbing inflation is also a serious issue. According to GSO, the consumer price index (CPI) in May increased 3,9 % compared with the figure in April. In April, CPI increased 2,2%. In short, for the first 5 months, CPI increased 15, 96 % (the increase of the same period in 2007 is 4,32%). For only May, CPI of 2008 raised up 25.2% comparing to this of 2007. This is the consequence of price fluctuation of some essential goods such as: rice, steel, cement…
According to the statistical data, the price of almost goods groups has increased, in which, the highest are: restaurant and food-drink services (7,25%), drinks and cigarettes (1,88%), houses and building materials (1,2%). The other groups have a rate of rising lower than 1%. Tools and other services (0,33%) hold the lowest rate of rising. The only group has a decrease in price is postal and telecommunication, decreased 0,07% compared with April. In the nationwide, the gold index in May decreased 5,89% while the USD index increased 1,02% compared with April 2008.
The above high CPI will have a negative impact on the economics development. Therefore, all sectors, provinces and enterprises need to implement 8 measures to curb inflation, stabilize macro-economy and ensure social security and sustainable growth proposed by the Government.
