The figure is from an economic and social survey of Asia and the Pacific by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), which was released in Hanoi on May 10.

Under the ESCAP review of the economic situation in Vietnam, in the first four months of this year, macro-economic indexes were more stable along with a sharp reduction in inflation and outstanding credit, lower interest rates, steady exchange rates and growing foreign currency reserves.

The survey predicted that Vietnam’s inflation is likely to fall back to the single digits by the second half of the year. It also proposed solutions for 2012 to restructure the national economy and ensure social welfare.

On solutions to deal with price hikes, the survey said Vietnam should diversify economic sectors to create more jobs and stimulate domestic consumption.

Measures are needed to increase salaries and productivity and attract poor people to productive businesses. The best method is to increase agricultural productivity with a focus on expanding non-agricultural employment and domestic markets for agricultural products, supporting rural development and the green revolution based on advanced technology, and providing credits for the poor, the survey said.

(VOV)