US-China trade war a boon for Vietnam: banking insider

Vietnam is at the top of the list of markets that could benefit from trade diversion coming from US-China trade tensions, building on its increasing competitiveness in manufacturing, according to Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC Vietnam.
us china trade war a boon for vietnam banking insider

Pham Hong Hai, CEO of HSBC Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of HSBC)

According to HSBC Global Research for the first quarter of the year, if an Asian economy captured 1 percent of Chinese exports to US or 1 percent of FDI into China, its GDP would increase significantly.

Vietnam is on the top of the list with a potential increase of 1.2 percent. This was the advantage that Vietnam could leverage to further boost trade flow across ASEAN, Hai said.

Hai also noted that the threat of macro-economic headwinds dragging global growth should be the impetus ASEAN needs to push its reform agenda harder in 2019.

“The year is already shaping up as one where the headlines will write themselves: markets second-guessing a return of policy tightening by the Fed, a Brexit deal or no deal, company downgrades from trade tariff uncertainty, and oil prices running roughshod,” he said.

“Amongst the bearishness, ASEAN remains one of the most optimistic and open regions in the world and in 2019 the region has the opportunity to further distinguish itself by continuing to drive reform and seek increased openness,” he added.

ASEAN economies can partly offset any trade downturns if the much-discussed supply chain persion to Southeast Asia — from China, US and the Republic of Korea — materialised, but the transition would be more widespread if the ease in which goods and services flow across ASEAN was enhanced, Hai noted.

With great fundamentals of a strong and open economy, Vietnam remains an attractive investment destination for international businesses.

Last year, total foreign investment in Vietnam reached 35.46 billion USD with total disbursed capital increasing 9.1 percent to 19.1 billion USD, marking 2018 as the sixth consecutive record year for foreign investment in Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

To drive a more sustainable ASEAN, the region should focus on developing regional incentive frameworks and standards, which will increase cost effectiveness and the attractiveness of these financial instruments for corporations, he said.

He noted that it was also important to start converting the ASEAN Smart Cities Network – launched in April 2018 – from a concept programme into specific projects across 26 pilot cities.

In addition, it will be crucial to work with China, the US, Europe and Japan, which have all earmarked Southeast Asia for their sustainable development programmes, to push for bankable and transparent infrastructure projects that will generate commercial demand and, therefore, sustainable debt.

“Clearly, there is no shortage of priorities for ASEAN policymakers this year and continued integration of the region is crucial in the face of 2019’s challenging global backdrop,” Hai said.

“Businesses are crying out for tangible developments that will ease intra-regional trade, encourage international investment and create a sustainable future. So achieving more reform, integration and openness in 2019 will help the region both capitalise and shield itself from global events that are likely to play out over the coming years,” he added.

“Vietnam has achieved great advantages as the fastest-growing economy (in the region) with a pro-growth government, and the country should continue the momentum to further integrate into the region and gain benefits from globalisation opportunities,” Hai said

Source: VNA

Related News

Bright spots at the beginning of the year

Bright spots at the beginning of the year

VCN - Production and business activities of enterprises have been vibrant since the first days of the year, thanks to which, many economic indicators in the first 2 months of 2024 are positive and positive. This is the fulcrum of trust and motivation for businesses to continue to develop.
Vietnam experiences a trade surplus of over US$11 billion in two months

Vietnam experiences a trade surplus of over US$11 billion in two months

VCN - The trade turnover between Vietnam and China reach over US$27 billion only in two months
The Minister of Finance chaired the Vietnam - Korea Financial Investment Promotion Conference

The Minister of Finance chaired the Vietnam - Korea Financial Investment Promotion Conference

On March 7, in Seoul Capital, South Korea, the State Securities Commission (SSC) organized a financial investment promotion conference with the theme "Vietnam - Investment destination". Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc attended and chaired the Conference.
Hundreds of billions of dong are collected from exporting one type of drink every month

Hundreds of billions of dong are collected from exporting one type of drink every month

VCN - In less than two months, tea exports earned nearly US$24.2 million (equivalent to about VND600 billion), a sharp increase compared to the same period last year.

Latest News

Efficiency from inspection and supervision - a key factor for a transparent stock market

Efficiency from inspection and supervision - a key factor for a transparent stock market

VCN - Since the 2019 Securities Law officially took effect, the average annual number of penalty decisions has more than doubled compared to the period 2015-2020. This shows that the strictness of the law is being enforced effectively.
SBV approves designation of 14 important banks in 2024

SBV approves designation of 14 important banks in 2024

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued Decision No. 538/QD-NHNN approving the group of credit institutions and foreign bank branches which play an important role in the country's banking system in 2024.
Central bank urges card issuers to review procedures

Central bank urges card issuers to review procedures

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued a directive, demanding commercial banks to review their procedures in issuing and managing bank cards.
Warning about impersonating tax authorities to commit fraud during  tax finalization month

Warning about impersonating tax authorities to commit fraud during tax finalization month

VCN - The Tax industry has continuously provided information and issued warnings about impersonating tax officials and tax authorities to commit fraud against taxpayers, but there are still people who fall into the trap of these fraudsters, especially during the peak month of tax settlement.

More News

“3 priorities, 3 breakthroughs” in task deployment of State Treasury

“3 priorities, 3 breakthroughs” in task deployment of State Treasury

VCN - To complete the task from now until the end of 2024 and successfully implement the State Treasury Development Strategy as planned, Deputy Minister of Finance Bui Van Khang stated "3 priorities, 3 breakthroughs" " and 7 notes in task performance.
Effectively apply M&A to go long distance

Effectively apply M&A to go long distance

VCN - With advantages such as being cheaper than domestic capital, and accompanied by many factors such as technology, skills, management, market... foreign capital is a popular trend among businesses. Domestic enterprises seek through M&A activities to ensure sustainable development for the future.
Hanoi State Treasury proactively digitizes and transforms operating methods

Hanoi State Treasury proactively digitizes and transforms operating methods

VCN - Hanoi State Treasury always proactively transforms and reforms its operating methods with the motto of “taking customers as the center” and taking the satisfaction of organizations and individuals as a measured level of task completion by civil servants.
The Ministry of Finance continues to strongly improve the business environment, reducing the rate of businesses temporarily suspending operations

The Ministry of Finance continues to strongly improve the business environment, reducing the rate of businesses temporarily suspending operations

VCN - The Ministry of Finance aims to continue to strongly improve the business environment, create a healthy competitive environment, rapidly increase the number of newly established businesses, and reduce the rate of businesses temporarily suspending operations; reduce input costs and legal compliance costs in investment and business activities, reduce policy risks, strengthen trust, create a fulcrum for recovery and improve business resilience.
Vietnam tackles obstacles to stock market upgrade

Vietnam tackles obstacles to stock market upgrade

Vietnam's ambition to elevate its stock market from "frontier" to "emerging" status by 2025 faces two key hurdles, including pre-trade margin requirements for foreign investors and foreign ownership ratios in certain sectors, said Deputy Director of the Securities Market Development Department under the State Securities Commission (SSC) Pham Thi Thuy Linh.
Looking forward clear instructions in tax finalization in 2023

Looking forward clear instructions in tax finalization in 2023

VCN - Mr. Hoang Quang Phong (photo), Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) discussed supporting taxpayers in tax finalization in 2023.
Proactive in dealing with exchange rate pressure

Proactive in dealing with exchange rate pressure

VCN - Recently, the State of Bank (SBV) withdrew VND 30,000 billion through the T-bills channel, contributing to reducing exchange rate pressure. This is just one of the moves of the monetary policy management agency to stabilize the foreign exchange market, contributing to supporting the macro economy as well as import-export business activities of enterprises.
Tax sector accompanies and supports tax finalization

Tax sector accompanies and supports tax finalization

VCN - In the first months of 2024, the Tax sector has deployed peak months to support tax finalization in many different forms, thereby solving many problems in settlement of corporate income tax and personal income tax for taxpayers.
Minister of Finance: Fairness and transparency for the insurance market

Minister of Finance: Fairness and transparency for the insurance market

VCN - According to Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc, the Ministry has strengthened inspections to correct violations in the insurance sector, demonstrating fairness and transparency in the market.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Efficiency from inspection and supervision - a key factor for a transparent stock market

Efficiency from inspection and supervision - a key factor for a transparent stock market

VCN - Since the 2019 Securities Law officially took effect, the average annual number of penalty decisions has more than doubled compared to the period 2015-2020. This shows that the strictness of the law is being enforced effectively.
SBV approves designation of 14 important banks in 2024

SBV approves designation of 14 important banks in 2024

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued Decision No. 538/QD-NHNN approving the group of credit institutions and foreign bank branches which play an important role in the country's banking system in 2024.
Central bank urges card issuers to review procedures

Central bank urges card issuers to review procedures

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued a directive, demanding commercial banks to review their procedures in issuing and managing bank cards.
Warning about impersonating tax authorities to commit fraud during  tax finalization month

Warning about impersonating tax authorities to commit fraud during tax finalization month

VCN - The Tax industry has continuously provided information and issued warnings about impersonating tax officials and tax authorities to commit fraud against taxpayers, but there are still people who fall into the trap of these fraudsters, especially dur
“3 priorities, 3 breakthroughs” in task deployment of State Treasury

“3 priorities, 3 breakthroughs” in task deployment of State Treasury

To successfully implement the State Treasury Development Strategy as planned, Deputy Minister of Finance Bui Van Khang stated "3 priorities, 3 breakthroughs" " and 7 notes in task performance.
Mobile Version