Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the regular monthly cabinet meeting for August.

At the regular monthly cabinet meeting in Hanoi on Thursday, Mr. Phuc pointed out that the macro-economy is stable and the inflation rate is under control, with CPI increasing 0.45 percent in August. In the past 8 months, PM Phuc said, Vietnam has met 4 and surpassed 8 of the National Assembly’s 12 socio-economic targets, while achieving  a GDP growth rate of 6.7 percent. There were other positive signs, including a trade surplus, decreasing public debt, and an inflation rate below 4 percent, Mr. Phuc said: “There is good news about the implementation of this year’s plans. Growth quality, labor productivity, public healthcare, infrastructure, education and culture have improved. Ministries and sectors need to make more specific analysis of what we have achieved and what needs to be done next year”.

Mr. Phuc said Vietnam’s hosting of the 2018 World Economic Forum on ASEAN next month in Hanoi will be the most significant diplomatic event this year. He urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant sectors to prepare thoroughly for this event.