External economic achievements gained in 2012

Higher disbursement of FDI and ODA

The newly-registered FDI reached US$13 billion in 2012 and the realization of this capital source is estimated at US$10.5 billion, slightly higher than the average in 2007-2011 (US$10.31 billion).

Since 1988, Viet Nam has licensed a total FDI of US$243 billion and spent about US$99.5 billion. The capital in ongoing projects is estimated at US$212 billion.

Twenty two countries and territories have registered a capital value of over US$1 billion, and eight of them are proud of the value of over US$10 billion (Japan, Republic of Korea, China-Taiwan, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the US).

All provinces and cities of Viet Nam have FDI projects, eight of them can draw over US$5 billion and five over US$10 billion (Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ha Noi, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong).

ODA capital commitments in 2012 have stood at US$7.3 billion (nearly US$6.5 billion for 2013) and the disbursement made a record of US$3.6 billion.

The total ODA commitments since 1993 is over US$75 billion and the disbursement is US$34.5 billion, contributing over 10% to the development investment capital and equivalent to 3.5% of GDP.

Growth of external economic sectors in 2012 (%) - Source: General Statistics Office, Ministry of Planning and Investment, State Bank and experts’ estimation

In 2012, the total export turnover is estimated at US$114.6 billion and its ratio against GDP hit a record of 82%.

Compared to 2011, the export increases by 18.3%. The ratio of export growth/GDP growth is 3.6, proving that export has become a driving force for economic growth.

Growth has been seen in 32 out of 40 groups of commodity, especially cameras and spare parts, telephones, computers and electronic goods; electric wire and cable, coffee, cassava, means of transport, machinery, ceramics, fertilizers, and vegetable.

There are 22 goods earning US$1 billion; 12 over US$2 billion; 11 US$3 billion; nine US$4 billion; seven US$5 billion; six US$6 billion; five US$7 billion; three US$8 billion; and two over US$12 billion (garments US$15 billion and telephones US$12.6 billion).

It is noticeable that Viet Nam has managed to make trade surplus of US$0.3 billion in 2012. The country can see the excess of export over import in 41 out of its 81 major markets, including 11 markets with the value of over US$1 billion.

International arrivals to Viet Nam are estimated at nearly 6.85 million, mainly for tourism (60.9%) and business (17%).

By Hong Hanh