Business confidence index continues falling

Vietnam’s business confidence index (BCI) continued dropping 17 points to 109 points in the first quarter of 2011 compared to last year’s fourth quarter, showing businesses’ anxiety and caution amid the current domestic economic developments.

The survey, conducted on 333 enterprises from 11 key sectors and industries in Vietnam, showed that the US$/VND exchange rate adjustment and price hikes of input materials, including coal, electricity and petrol, as well as forecasts on inflation and growth greatly influenced decisions to expand operations and confidence of businesses, especially small- and medium-sized ones.

Nearly 72 percent of interviewed enterprises said their business and production operations were affected by the foreign exchange rate adjustment in the first three months of the year. Meanwhile, 46 percent affirmed that they will raise prices of their products and services due to increasing input material prices.

Regarding the economic situation in Vietnam, only 25.83 percent of the participants said the economy has improved while 45.95 percent said the economy was worse, and 28.23 percent saw no change at all.

vov, VNA

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