The macro-economic report in Q2, 2016 of VERP showed that the trade balance of Vietnam shifted from a surplus to plateau after two quarters. Export still weathered a low growth rate at 5.2% and imports rebounded, making the trade balance reach the stable level.
In the first half, total import turnover of Vietnam was US$80.7 billion, down 0.5% against the same period last year. Excluding price factors, import turnover valued US$87.5 billion, up 7.9% against the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
Meanwhile, export turnover form January to June, 2016 increased to US$82.2 billion, representing a year-on-year surge of 5.9%.
The VEPR warned that rising commodity and energy prices would worsen the trade balance in the coming time, leading to a trade deficit as recorded in the post-2012 period.
