HANOI: Vietnam could post a trade surplus of $100 million in August, which would be its first after three straight months of deficits, a state-run news website reported on Monday, citing government estimates.
August exports may rise 0.7 percent from a month earlier to $13 billion, while imports could ease 0.5 percent from July to $12.9 billion, according to news website VnEconomy (vneconomy.vn)
It cited forecasts from the government's General Statistics Office (GSO) attributing the surplus to increased exports of cellphones, rice and coal. The GSO is expected to publish the official data this week.
The August estimates would bring exports in the first eight months to $97 billion and imports to $95.3 billion, creating a surplus of $1.7 billion, the report said.
Vietnam's trade ministry last month said the country could post a trade surplus of $500 million this year as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to reduce its reliance on imports from neighbouring China amid a diplomatic row.
An annual surplus this year would be the third in a row for Vietnam, which posted its first surplus in two decades in 2012.
Growth of manufacturing and exports have boosted the outlook for Vietnam's economy this year, although analysts say lingering problems of bad loans, tepid consumer spending and slow-paced state sector reforms mean recovery would remain fragile.
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