The latest BCI results show thesentiment of European businesses is at its strongest for 18 months, and justtwo points below the all-time high of the third quarter of 2016.
EuroCham members reportedan optimistic outlook on various issues, from their own investment and profitprojections to workforce levels and Vietnam’s macroeconomic outlook.
More than 70 percentreported a positive situation for their enterprises in the last quarter, with 65percent describing it as “good” and 12 percent as “excellent”. Looking ahead tothe next quarter, 64 percent believe their business situation will be “good”with a further 15 percent answering “excellent.”
EuroCham members are alsooptimistic about Vietnam’s macroeconomic outlook, with 57 percent predicting “stabilisationand improvement” in the next quarter and 34 percent believing that it willremain static, compared to just 10 percent anticipating a “deterioration”.
Meanwhile, 57 percentbelieve their business will see either a “significant” or “moderate” increasein staff next quarter, with a similar proportion (61 percent) anticipatingeither a “significant” or “moderate” increase in investment. More than three-quartersof EuroCham members (76 percent) believe that their orders or revenue will seea “significant” or “moderate” increase in the third quarter.
For the first time,EuroCham asked its members for their views on Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR). Some 87 percent responded that CSR is important to their businessoperations in Vietnam.
Theseresults showed European companies and investors remain confident in Vietnam,said Nicolas Audier, Co-Chairman of EuroCham. The fact that EuroCham membershave now exceeded 1,000 reinforces this positive message and shows Vietnam isopen for business as an attractive trade and investment destination. –VNA