VOV.VN - The World Bank (WB) and partners on September 29 launched a project aiming to reduce economic and health vulnerability of older persons in Vietnam, under a US$2.75-million grant, funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), administered by the WB.

Vietnam’s GDP is expected to expand by about 4.8% in 2021, and the economy could converge toward the pre-pandemic GDP growth rate of 6.5% to 7% from 2022 onward, the World Bank has forecast.

The World Bank has suggested the Vietnamese Government early devise back-up plans in case the COVID-19 pandemic could last one or two more years, and conduct vaccination in parallel with testing to control the pandemic and mitigate its economic loss.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has made several suggestions for the Ministry of Finance’s decree to support businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including ensuring bank lending rates are no more than 2% higher than deposit interest rates.

Digital economy, including digital finance and digital banking, will be an effective solution to recover the economy of the world and Vietnam in particular, heard a seminar held by the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee on September 28.

VOV.VN - The Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations (HUFO) in collaboration with the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Da district presented 108 gifts to foreigners on September 27, many of whom are facing difficulties due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

VOV.VN - Slowing COVID-19 vaccination rate, along with travel restrictions, inadequate economic response policies, and limited social support schemes, have significantly affected the national economy, said Jacques Morisset, chief economist of the World Bank (WB) in Vietnam.

The average duration for customs clearance for exports last year stood at 38.4 hours, a decline by 57.38 hours compared to 2019, according to a survey of an inter-sectoral working group.

Foreign investment into Vietnamese startups is predicted to increase although the COVID-19 pandemic has left negative impacts on the economy, according to experts.

Banks have been promoting the mobilisation of medium- and long-term capital through bond issuance to meet the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s requirements on capital adequacy ratio (CAR).