Up to 42.2% of surveyed firms said they met more difficulties in Q1; 41.5% said their business operation were stable and 16.3% experienced better business in Q1, according to a General Statistics Office report.

In Q2, 27.1% anticipated their business operation would be more difficult; 40.7% expected stable business and 33.2% foresaw better business performance compared to Q1.

Amid the current difficult context, 46.4% of enterprises called on capital support such as preferential loans, more convenient and faster loan procedures, and reduced lending interest rates.

Meanwhile, 44.3% suggested assistance in raw materials such as ensuring supply and stabilising raw material prices; 38.3% expected that bidding information would be more open and transparent; and 32.9% emphasised the importance of speeding up administrative reforms.

A Vietnam Report survey also showed that 55.6% of construction enterprises encountered difficulties in terms of working capital. Bank credit had been expanded, and interest rates had decreased, but construction firms, especially small and medium-sized, still found difficulty in accessing loans as their financial conditions failed to meet commercial banks' requirements.

Experts said that to ease the difficulties of the construction industry, it was necessary to solve some main problems such as reducing costs, improving the competitiveness of businesses and perfecting investment and business environment