(24 August 2004 – Vietnam) Investors looking for new markets could do worse than take a look at Vietnam, delegates attending a conference in Hanoi have heard.Speakers at the Vietnam: Insights, Strategies and Prospects conference said the country’s business environment had become much more secure and that the economy was growing steadily.
Citigroup country general director Charly Madan said Vietnam had its economy well under control and that bad debts accounted for just 15 to 18 percent of the banking system’s overall debt – a far cry from the 30 percent that others were claiming.
Vietnam is vying to join the World Trade Organisation and has completed eight rounds of negotiations so far.
Speakers said Vietnam, which has a population of 80 million, was attempting to boost private enterprise and improve the country’s infrastructure.
The government has also promised to create more conducive conditions for foreign investment and a fairer playing field for foreign companies competing with domestic companies.