Businesses have recovered production and trade in the first half despite difficulties from both the domestic and global situations, according to Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

Speaking at a conference on July 7 to review the sector’s performance in the first half of the year, Minister Dien said industrial production value had recovered and equaled 98.8 per cent of the figure in the same period last year, with 48 of 63 localities enjoying an increase in their Index of Industrial Production.

There were 27 products posting export revenue of over $1 billion, or 90 per cent of total export turnover. Five posted value of more than $10 billion, or 57.8 per cent of the total.

The domestic market also recovered strongly, with total retail sales of products and services surging 10.9 per cent year-on-year.

The Minister also said that difficulties and challenges remain, and sought measures to address issues in capital, policies, and administrative procedures to help enterprises recover and develop production and trade, maintain supply chains, and boost exports.

He called for more focus on speeding up the disbursement of public investment capital, to ensure efficiency and regulatory compliance.