Attending the workshop were Ms. Claire Ireland - Counsellor in charge of Economics and Development Cooperation, Embassy of Australia; Mr. Philip Graovac - Deputy Representative of Asia Foundation; Mr Yasuo Fujita - Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Son - Rector of VNU University of Economics and Business and leaders, representatives of government departments, policy making agencies, leaders of universities and research institutes; representatives of embassies and international development organizations in Vietnam, international donors, associations, enterprises, banks and media agencies.

Vietnam Economic Annual Report is the particular product under the Program of Macroeconomics and International Economic Integration hosted by VNU University of Economics and Business (VNU-UEB); supported by Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and implemented by Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VNU-UEB)

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Son - Rector of VNU-UEB delivered the opening speech for the workshop

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Son emphasized "The characteristics of this research report is to study based on objectivity and independence; evidence-based research; study on short-term issues in the medium and long-term vision with a relatively united structure including: an overview of international economy and macro- economy; some different specific issues each year; forecast on macroeconomic scenarios forVietnam in the next year and policy implications. "

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Vietnam Annual Economic Report 2016 with the theme: "Forging new foundation for economic growth" is completed in the context that the economy is moving towards the implementation of 5 year economic- social plan 2016 - 2020, and is entering a new cycle of international integration. However, many signs show that the productivity of the economy has been continuously declining for the last 5 years. This situation creates the urgent need to establish a new and truly effective platform for the growth in the medium and long term. Thus, the report 2016 focuses on the issues related to the growth momentum in the medium term for the economy.

In addition to the overview of the world and Vietnam’s economy, the macroeconomic scenarios and policy implications, some issues are raised for in-depth analysis including: medium-term economic forecasts (2016- 2020); transforming the growth from quantity to quality; one belt initiative, a road of China and impacts on Vietnam; reforms of public service markets in Vietnam in the medium term: the case of solid waste management ....

For the conclusion, Chapter 7 of the Report on "Vietnam Economic Outlook in 2016 and Policy Recommendations" offers two forecast scenarios for the macroeconomic prospects of Vietnam in 2016 and some detailed discussion on short-term policies that are being currently applied. The forecast results for 2016 shows that inflation could reach 4%, while economic growth is unlikely to meet the target assigned by the National Assembly.

At the launching workshop, the Report received many comments and suggestions from experts like Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh - Director of Fulbright Economic Teaching Program, Dr. Dang Ngoc Tu - Head of Research and Policy Coordination Department, National financial supervision commission of the socialist republic of Vietnam, or Prof. Dr. Nguyen Mai, Dr. Luu Bich Ho, Dr. Vo Dai Luoc, Dr. Nguyen Minh Phong, Dr.Can Van Luc, Dr. Le Dang Doanh ...

Numerous of national and international guests attended the workshop

Comments of Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thanh - Director of Fulbright Program

In particular, specialists, scientists highly appreciated the theme of this year's report and said that the title "Forging new foundation for economic growth" brought a big ambition. All experts identified 2016 as a year of economic difficulty Vietnam, therefore, they suggested, in order to set new foundation for the growth as the report expected, the author groups needed to clarify some other issues such as bad debt, public debt, environment and sustainable development, tourism ... In addition, the participants also discussed and exchanged ideas regarding issues analyzed in the report.

The report received many comments from experts, scientists like Dr. Le Dang Doanh

...Or Prof. Dr. Nguyen Mai

Summing up the workshop, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Son expressed his sincere thanks for the participation and valuable comments of the specialists, scientists, which would help the authors to complete the report in the near future. He also stressed: "The continuous maintenance of Vietnam Annual Economic Report, the in time complete and publication of the report as well as the efforts in catching up new trends of the economy in the past 8 years has reflected the persistent and serious scientific efforts of the author group of Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research, VNU-UEB. At the same time, this also shows the success of strategic research direction on Macroeconomics which has been selected to invest and develop by Vietnam National University, Hanoi"