Việt Nam has made strides in improving its productivity and narrowing the gap with developed and developing countries, according to experts speaking at a conference on increasing productivity and product quality in the industrial sector, held in Hà Nội last week.

The coffee industry is restructuring itself to raise productivity, quality and value, according to the Việt Nam Coffee and Cocoa Association.

The local stock market will likely move sideways before the US Federal Reserve (Fed) meeting, as investors are anxious about the prospect of higher interest rates in December – a move seen as likely, according to most market experts.

Foreign investors remain positive about the prospects for Việt Nam’s stock market as the country grows and adopts more open policies, foreign CEOs said in a discussion panel at the ASEAN Business Summit last week.

The steel industry is likely to enjoy 10-12 per cent growth next year, said the Việt Nam Steel Association (VSA) at a workshop in HCM City last week.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has decided not to rely on 12 steel projects – deemed ineffective – while drawing up its master plan on steel production till 2025.

Vietnamese textile and garment companies should focus more on developing their supply chain to enable them to capitalise on opportunities arising from free trade agreements, a panel discussion heard in HCM City this week.

Total value of property inventory nationwide has reduced in the first 11 months this year, according to the Ministry of Construction.

The property market expects to see a wave of property developers expanding into affordable housing developments as this segment was in a severe shortage and the Government was taking steps to promote investments.