Vietnam’s economic growth rate in 2012 is forecast at 5.2 percent. It is the second adjustment from the previous projections of 5.5 percent and 6.5 percent, and is due to the slowing down of the country’s socio-economic performance in the first 10 months of 2012.

Nguyen Thi Tue Anh, head of the Competition Capacity and Business Environment Department of the Central Institute of Economy Management, made the judgment at a forum held in Hanoi on November 23.

Agricultural production is moving in a downward trend while the industrial index has increased by only 4.8 percent, half the figure of previous years, she said.

In the past 10 months, the country’s import and export turnover stood at US$93.7 billion and $93.8 billion, respectively, a year-on-year increase of 6.7 percent and 18.9 percent, she added.

At the forum, domestic economists shared reviews of Vietnam’s 2012 economy and predicted 2013 economy, which is helpful to policy-makers.

Touching upon fiscal policy, Nguyen Dinh Anh from Price Market Scientific Research Institute said that it is hard to make estimates for this year’s State budget revenue because of impacts the slump in the economy has had. This may prompt an increase in budget deficit, resulting in an unstable macro-economy and budget spending restrictions, he added.

Presenting socio-economic projections for 2013, participants spoke of factors likely to increase inflation, but at a modest level.

Tue Anh suggested that the country change its growth model, boost foreign direct investment attraction and improve efficiency of the business restructure.

According to international organizations, Vietnam’s economy in 2013 will see more positive signs than in 2012. They suggested that as the year 2013 is seen as a threshold for the following years, Vietnam should focus on maintaining a sustainable macro-economy, growth, removing difficulties for enterprises, improving the employment rate, personal income and living standards of people of all classes.

According to the 2013 socio-economic development plan, Vietnam’s economic growth will reach 5.5 percent with 10 percent export growth.