Nhan Dan – The General Statistics Office held a press conference on July 1 to announce the socio-economic figures in the first six months of 2009 and to propose some solutions to the socio-economic development in the remaining months of 2009.

The national economy in the past six months has shown signs of recovery and further development despite lots of challenges and difficulties. The stimulus packages for investment and consumption have taken initial effects.

Compared to the same period last year, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the first and second quarter increased by 3.1% and 4.5% respectively. Also, GDP in the past six months went up by 3.9% against the same period in 2008. Of which, the agro-forestry-fishery sector saw an increase of 1.25% while sectors of industry and construction and services rose by 3.48% and 5.5% respectively.

The industrial production escaped from the stagnant period and the industrial production value in six months reached 4.8% compared to the same period last year. The export turnover of the national key commodities in the second quarter also increased and the consumer price index (CPI) rose at a reasonable rate.