The new Government headed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has gained the confidence of the public and the corporate sector since its debut 10 months ago.

Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung said at a news briefing on a monthly cabinet meeting in Hanoi last week that PM Phuc had taken note of this positive development.

A focus should be given to solving difficulties faced by enterprises and boosting production and business in all sectors, especially spearhead ones like high-tech agriculture and tourism.

Phuc laid an emphasis on promoting entrepreneurship, removing woes and fostering high-tech agriculture, saying he would soon chair a government conference on high-quality shrimp farming in the Mekong Delta.

He urged preparations for a second meeting between the Government and the business community.

Last month, the industrial production index (IIP) slightly rose 0.7% on the occasion of the Lunar New Year holiday. Total retail sales of goods and services picked up 9.9%, says a Government report.

International visitors to Vietnam reached one million in January, up 12.3% year-on-year.

Exports totaled an estimated US$14.6 billion, a year-on-year rise of 7.6%, while imports grew 15.8% to US$14.7 billion. The trade deficit was US$100 million, or 0.68% of total exports.

The consumer price index (CPI) inched up 0.46% despite the shopping spree ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

Interest rates were stable. The central exchange rate mechanism helped cushion external shocks, prevent the hoarding of foreign currencies and keep the exchange rate stable.

Last month, nearly 9,000 enterprises were set up, an increase of 8.1% against the same period last year. In addition, some 5,600 suspended firms returned to business.

However, around 1,600 enterprises were disbanded and 12,400 others suspended their operations, indicating the production and business conditions remained tough.

SGT