(Reuters photo)HANOI - Vietnam’s economy expanded at a slower pace in the first quarter than the previous three months, the statistics agency said. Vietnam has outperformed most of its Southeast Asian peers as export growth remained resilient despite a slump in global trade that hit countries like Thailand and Malaysia. The World Bank forecasts Vietnam’s economy will expand more than 6% this year and next, among the fastest in the world. Global risks are mounting though, with Vietnam among the countries in Asia most vulnerable to a rise in trade protectionism in the US. Greater trade protectionism is a concern though I don’t think it will materialise in the near term."

Source: Bangkok Post March 29, 2017 04:52 UTC