The four biggest banks in Vietnam have strongly cut interest rates for various deposit terms to the lowest levels of the year.

Commercial banks have persistently reduced deposit interest rates, resulting in rates for many terms now standing at just above 6% per annum.

International experts shared experience in public debt management and gave recommendations to Vietnam at a consultation workshop in Hanoi on August 17.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has proposed the government provide further support for Vietnamese small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including an interest rate reduction of another 2 percentage points per year.

The strong recovery of tourism has helped businesses in the industry prosper. However, risks such as economic recession, high interest rates and interest expenses still affect corporate profits.

Inactive cash showed signs of shifting to securities as banks continue to reduce deposit interest rates to below 8% per year, expanding the liquidity of the stock market.

The latest deposit interest rates at the four major banks have simultaneously decreased to the lowest level in one year.

Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Nguyen Thi Hong has suggested sectors and localities take more measures to remove difficulties facing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stressing that policy solutions are needed to help businesses access capital.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting between permanent Government members and the executive committee of the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Hanoi on July 6 to seek solutions to challenges facing SMEs.

The United Overseas Bank (UOB) has lowered its 2023 economic growth forecast for Vietnam from 6% to 5.2%, and forecast that Vietnam will continue to cut regulatory interest rates in the third quarter this year to stimulate its economy.