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Survey reveals business community optimistic about prospects
Believing that business prospects will improve in the future, most say that they will expand investments and increase employment levels. Some businesses still worry about difficulties in accessing bank loans and changes in business conditions.
In a survey conducted from April 12 to early May 2010 by PVFC Invest, an investment and finance consultancy firm, and WVB Vietnam, a finance information service provider, 143 enterprises operating in 11 key fields, half of which are small and medium enterprises, were polled.
The BCI (Business confidence index) of enterprises in the first quarter of 2010 increased by three points to 138 points, the highest peak ever seen since PVFC and WVB Vietnam first released the BCI in the third quarter of 2008.
“The three point increase of the BCI in the first quarter of 2010 over the fourth quarter of 2009 shows improvement in business confidence,” the report reads.
80 percent of polled enterprises believe that the national economy is better than 12 months before, a rise of eight percent over the previous survey. Only one percent responded that the economy is worsening.
When asked about Vietnam’s economy for the next 12 months, businesses remained optimistic. 89 percent believe that it will be better, while only 78 percent said so in the previous poll. Only one percent are still worried about Vietnam’s economic prospects in 2010.
Businesses also have higher confidence in revenues and profits in the first quarter of 2010. 78 percent of polled enterprises believe that their revenue will increase, while 22 percent think that their revenue will be the same.
Similarly, 71 percent of enterprises believe their profits will increase in 2010, while 28 percent thought that profits will remain unchanged, and only one percent say that their profits will fall in the next 12 months.
Regarding present business difficulties, half of the polled enterprises report problems in accessing bank loans and assert that it is now more difficult to borrow money than in 2009.
When asked about factors affecting enterprise confidence, companies cited changes in market demand, production cost structures and in investment opportunities.
Regarding development plans, only 52 percent will increase their labour force, while 59 percent had planned to expand in the previous survey.
vietnamnet, tbktvn
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