11:04:04 AM | 4/4/2009
Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi posted its industrial production value of VND17.66 trillion (US$1.1 billion) in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 5.7 per cent on year, according to the municipal department of industry and trade.
In the first three months, the state-run sector saw a growth rate of 2.2 per cent, non-state sector 9.7 per cent and foreign invested sector 4.8 per cent.
Amid the economic downturn, some industries of the capital maintained growth rate like metal products (21.8 per cent), machinery and equipment manufacturing (24.1 per cent) while others including apparels, chemicals, TV and telecommunication equipment, and non-metal minerals saw the sharp fall 30.9 per cent, 17.9 per cent, 45.8 per cent and 45.3 per cent, respectively.
The prolonging crisis has forced many enterprises in Hanoi to halt production or close due to impossibly seeking for more orders.
A recent survey showed that over 228 firms in the city had laid off 15,648 laborers in the first quarter. However, the real figure is estimated to climb to 27,000 because Hanoi has over 1,000 traditional craft villages. (New Hanoi)
Vietnamese
