The Government has issued the Resolution 13/NQ-CP which covers a series of measures to ease difficulties against businesses and support the market in the wake of economic harships.

The move was taken when a large number of companies have suspended production, scaled down operation and gone bust.

Credit institutions, including foreign bank branches, can now make loans in foreign currency to customers residing in the country, the State Bank of Viet Nam has ruled.

Viet Nam enjoyed a 22 per cent increase in export turnover against the same period last year, reaching US$33.4 billion in the first four months of 2012.

Total credit issued by the nation's banking system shrank by 2.13 per cent in the first quarter, suggesting that despite a recent downward trend in interest rates, many businesses continued to face difficulties accessing bank loans.

Việt Nam spent some VND 286,212 billion, equivalent to 52.3% of the total State-funded development capital on agriculture and rural development between 2009-2011.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued Decision No. 635/QĐ-NHNN on April 9 to permit the Vietnam Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (Agribank) to establish an Asset Management Company (MTV Asset Management Company Ltd.).

Banks are seeking to introduce ATM charges saying without the fees they are making big losses on ATM services.