Vietnam Retail Sector, Most Attractive to Investors: Grant Thornton

Up to 70% out of 169 domestic and foreign investors surveyed by the Grant Thornton Vietnam said retail sector is the most attractive field in Vietnam despite impacts of the global downturn.

 

It is followed by healthcare and oil and gas sectors with respective figures of 68% and 64%, agriculture and real estate with the same rates of 46%, transport with 34%, financial services of 27%, production of 26% and the tourism and hotel of 23%, said the survey on investment environment and development prospects in Vietnam conducted by Grant Thornton in March.

 

Up to 88% of surveyed investors said they had experienced troubles in administrative procedures, the survey showed.

 

Vietnam became the most attractive emerging market for retail investment, lifting from the fourth in 2007, said the 2008 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), an annual study conducted by AT Kearney of retail investment attractiveness among 30 emerging markets.

 

The country’s retail sales rose 25% in the 2006-08 period, said the Vietnam Retailers’ Association.

 

Vietnam’s total retail sales and services revenues estimated at VND360.4 trillion ($21.32 billion) in the first four months, up 21.5% on year, the government's General Statistics Office reported. (Vietnam Economic Times, Youth)