VOV.VN - The rate of overweight and obese children in the nation has more than doubled over the past 10 years, according to recent nutrition research conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition.

Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Nguyen Thi Hong has requested that credit growth be achieved in tandem with improving credit quality, with a focus on manufacturing and priority areas.

Japan's Ube Construction Materials Co. has set up a subsidiary in Ho Chi Minh City to sell waterproof agents and other construction materials in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries.

Demand for credit may increase sharply since the second quarter, especially in fields of industrial production, exports, trade and tourism, said a senior official of the central bank.

Credit growth will expand significantly from Quarter 2 and exceed the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s target of 12% for the year as a whole if the pandemic is brought under good control and the vaccination campaign proves effective, according to insiders.

A number of banks recorded impressive growth in the first quarter and set a relatively strong profit growth target this year.

Shipments of products from the processing industry brought in about US$67.39 billion in the first quarter of this year, representing 87.13% of Vietnam’s total export value during the period.

Despite the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, wood and wooden product exports still posted impressive growth due to the efforts of many businesses to apply advanced technology, develop new products, and make use of online marketing channels.

HCM City is gearing up to develop e-commerce infrastructure and make e-commerce an economic spearhead contributing to its economic growth, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade has said.

Vietnam is at a crossroads in its development and requires investment in its transportation network to sustain and expand its growth, said US-based Borgen Magazine in a recent article.