Vietnam a bright spot amid global slowdown: IMF chief

Vietnam has an open and dynamic economy that remains resilient through the Covid-19 pandemic, she said at a meeting with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the sideline of the 2022 APEC summit in Bangkok on Saturday.

“The continued acceleration of structural reform and the transition to a green growth model brings new impetus to the Vietnamese economy,” she added.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva (L) shakes hands with Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the sideline of the 2022 APEC summit held in Thailand’s Bangkok on November 19, 2022. Photo by Vietnam News Agency

In the first nine months of the year, Vietnam’s GDP grew by 8.83% and it is forecast to reach 8% this year while many regional countries’ economic growth slowed down and entered recession.

The IMF chief hoped that Vietnam would continue to contribute to the global agenda of transforming growth models and ensuring supply chains.

Phuc said that in the context of a changing global economy, high inflation rate and economic growth slowdown in many countries, ensuring food and energy security faces many difficulties.

“Vietnam, the IMF and other countries must strengthen coordination in order to effectively deal with these issues,” Phuc added.

Kristalina committed to promoting support and advice for Vietnam in economic management, innovating the growth model and accepting the invitation of the president to visit Vietnam next year.

The same day, Phuc and his delegation left Bangkok to return home, wrapping up their official visit to Thailand and attendance of the 29th APEC Summit Week and related conferences.