Vietnam's 2015 trade deficit seen above US$3 billion: govt official

[HANOI] Vietnam could post a trade deficit of more than US$3 billion this year, its first deficit since 2011 but one that's smaller than a previous forecast, a government official said on Thursday.

The General Statistics Office (GSO) will provide details of the country's exports and imports later this month, GSO director Nguyen Bich Lam told a conference announcing inflation data for 2015.

Vietnam had trade surpluses between 2012-2014.

The industry and trade ministry has projected Vietnam to face a trade deficit of US$6 billion this year, as the country's export growth has been slowing while imports have expanded at a faster pace.

REUTERS