The Vietnamese economy is set in 2024 to grow at a higher rate than in 2023. Andrea Coppola, lead economist for the World Bank in Vietnam, spoke with VIR’s Nguyen Dat about the country’s economic performance last year and prospects for the future.

The increased use of plastics has accompanied Vietnam’s fast economic growth over the last decade. With growing urbanisation and a rising middle class, the demand for plastics has grown rapidly in consumer packaging, construction, household goods, and automotive industries because of their convenience and versatility. In 2019, the plastic industry contributed about $17.5 billion to Vietnam’s economy, equivalent to 6.7 per cent of the country’s GDP.

The gap between the investment need for health and the fiscal constraints has focused government attention on public-private partnerships, with more than 1,000 such ventures being implemented in developed countries.

While hospital automation has proved some advantages of capital mobilisation and healthcare services expansion, some challenges remain and concrete actions are required to make it a greater success.