VINACHEM

Vietnam’s GDP is expected to grow at 6.6% in 2017 following a drought-induced slowdown in 2016, according to Standard Chartered Bank’s Global Research Briefing.

Strong manufacturing growth is likely to remain the key growth driver in 2017.

The report expects FDI inflows in Vietnam to slow mildly in 2017 but still remain high, at close to 10 billion USD.

Exports are forecast to increase slightly, capped by still-slow demand from markets such as the US and the EU.

On the other hand, inflation is likely to pick up, averaging 4.3% while interest rate policies seem to be unchanged and any devaluation of the Vietnam dong (VND) will be mild. - VOV