Over half of 800 private equity investors still hold a positive view on Vietnam’s economic outlook although the overall optimism for the next 12 months is lower than in the last quarter of 2010, Grant Thornton Vietnam says in a report.

The bi-annual survey “Private Equity in Vietnam – Investment Sentiment and Outlook” conducted by Grant Thornton Vietnam shows that the outlook sentiment of investors is still generally positive on Vietnam market. The survey which conducted in the second quarter this year canvassed the opinions of over 800 decision makers based in Vietnam or those having a significant focus on Vietnam.

The survey showed that 53% of all respondents hold a positive view. However, it is noteworthy that the decline trend has happened over recent surveys, from the second quarter in 2010 to the last quarter last year and now this time’s survey.

Trinh Kim Dung, advisory services senior manager, said in a statement that investors still wanted to boost investment in Vietnam. “With continued strong domestic growth in Vietnam, most investors still sit on the positive side of the fence. Many fund managers have been actively promoting their new investment funds to global investors, seeking fresh capital to underpin private equity investment in the near term.”

About 54% of respondents indicated that Vietnam remains more attractive than other investment destinations for funds. This optimistic outlook is also supported by 53% of respondents who plan to increase investments in Vietnam over the next 12 months.

Education has returned to top of the list of the most positive sectors for investment, replacing retail which led the previous survey.

Of most interest from the results was the improvement in the attitude towards oil, gas and natural resources as well as agriculture. In the previous survey, oil, gas and natural resources along with agriculture were the least positive sectors. However in this time survey, respondents indicated a strong positive turnaround.

Transportation and logistics, on the other hand, have fallen dramatically to be the least preferred sector.

Consistent with recent surveys, Government red tape, corruption, infrastructure and the legal system continue to be the main areas of complaint from investors in Vietnam. Corruption is considered to be the most serious impediment to investment in Vietnam, according to 79% of participants.

Matthew Lourey, advisory services director, stated: “Over the past few years, Vietnam’s legislative framework has continued to evolve. However, transaction procedures and practices have not been simplified, partly due to contradictory regulatory releases, preventing Vietnam from becoming a far-more attractive investment destination than it currently is.”

Grant Thornton Vietnam is a member within Grant Thornton International Ltd. The company was established in 1993 in Vietnam with offices in HCMC and Hanoi.

Source: SGT