Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still have high hopes for economic growth to either stabilise or increase during the first half of 2009, according to a recent periodical survey carried out by the Hong Kong-Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

The biannual survey polled more than 3,000 SMEs in Viet Nam and nine other countries and territories, including Hong Kong , China , Taiwan , Bangladesh , Singapore , India , the Republic of Korea , Malaysia and Indonesia in October and November 2008.

It revealed that SMEs in Viet Nam , Bangladesh and India were the most optimistic regarding their country’s economic prospects, while those in Singapore , Taiwan and Hong Kong were the most pessimistic.

Although 2008 was an extremely disconcerting year, Vietnamese businesses still maintained an optimistic view regarding economic growth, investment and recruitment plans and an increase in international trade. Among them, 32% were confident that economic growth rate would not change and 30 percent expected it to exceed 4%.

The survey also revealed that 55% of Vietnamese SMEs expect to maintain their staffing levels and 40% plan to increase their number of employees.

Huynh Buu Quang, head of HSBC Vietnam Ltd’s commercial banking department said, “These businesses believe that Vietnam’s long-term prospects are fundamentally strong – its young dynamic workforce, stable pro-business government, excellent regional position and the growing force of Vietnamese consumers give it a keen advantage.”

He also believed that Viet Nam would continue to adapt and grow alongside the changing economic climate. (VNA)