Vietnam economy grows 7.7 percent in 2004
HANOI - Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) rose nearly 7.7 percent in 2004, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai says.
This compares to GDP growth of 7.2 percent in 2003, said Phan, who was speaking at a government year-end meeting.
Industrial production grew 16 percent, agriculture was up 5.4 percent and services expanded 18.5 percent despite prolonged drought, floods and a bird flu outbreak earlier this year, the Nhan Dan newspaper said.
The country's foreign direct investment in 2004 totalled more than four billion dollars, up 28.5 percent against 2003.
Vietnam enjoyed growth of 3.5 percent in the agro-forestry and fishery sectors, and 10.2 percent in industry and construction.
Earlier this month international donors pledged 3.4 billion dollars to help Vietnam's poverty reduction and economic growth efforts in 2005 but also called on the government to speed up structural reforms.
The government aims for economic growth of 8.5 percent in 2005.
Agence France Presse - December 29, 2004.
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