NA Chairwoman’s New Year wishes: The private and foreign-investment sectors’ great contribution to national economic development
NA Chairwoman’s New Year wishes: The private and foreign-investment sectors’ great contribution to national economic development
While the country was still inspired by her economic achievements last year, on Monday, February 11, or the seventh day of the first lunar month, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan paid a visit to the staff of HDBank and Vietjet, those among the most prominent private business groups in Vietnam.
Speaking to members of the two business groups on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that on the last days of the old lunar year, Party and State top leaders paid visits to families of revolutionaries and the armed forces. On the first day when workers nationwide resumed their work, the Chairwoman spent time making the best New Year wishes to staff of enterprises and banks, hoping that the country would further prosper and be stronger.
“In 2018, Vietnam’s economy achieved very favorable results,” Ngan said. “The gross domestic product (GDP) growth was 8.08%, the highest in a decade, with considerable contribution from the banking system. HDBank was impressive with a high rate of return and the lowest rate of bad debt across the board. I’m impressed by the business results of HDBank and Vietjet. The profit made by HDBank and Vietjet alone reached almost VND10 trillion. These two enterprises provided jobs for nearly 20,000 staff members and paid over VND7.5 trillion in taxes.
As HDBank and Vietjet are well-founded and have contributed considerably to the national economy over the past decades, I strongly believe that both will not only lead the way in Vietnam but also become leading enterprises on the regional scale.”
In 2018, HDBank expanded its banking network to 285 outlets and 14,000 financial transaction points across the country. As the bank has gained more confidence from customers, its mobilization and lending activities are going smoothly. Chairwoman Ngan said she was among the first to witness Vietjet’s first flight which landed at Noi Bai Airport, and also witnessed the airline’s first flights to China and South Korea.
Ngan said she hoped the two businesses will fare better not only for the sake of HDBank and Vietjet but also Vietnam’s banking and aviation industries. Both enterprises should further develop and contribute more to the country, she said.
In response to the National Assembly Chairwoman’s speech, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Standing Vice Chairwoman of HDBank and President & CEO of Vietjet Air, said since HDBank’s reception of the Third Labor Order from Ngan, the bank has posted a 20-fold growth rate and its total assets reached VND216.1 trillion last year. Also, HDBank made it to VN30, the list of Vietnam’s best on the stock market after it was listed last year.
Recalling the honor of receiving the National Assembly Chairwoman during its first flight with only three aircraft, Ms. Phuong Thao said Vietjet now owns a fleet of 70 aircraft operating on over 100 routes with two-thirds being international routes. Last year, Vietjet served 23 million passengers, the largest volume among airlines in Vietnam. Its indicators of safety and exploitation were among the best in the Asia-Pacific region. The operations of HDBank and Vietjet have contributed to the healthy development and integration of Vietnam’s stock market.
“Although challenges still abound in the year ahead, our solidarity and community outreach will enable 2019 to continue to be a year of high growth for HDBank, Vietjet and other member companies of Sovico Holdings,” said Thao, who is one of the first self-made billionaires in Southeast Asia, to the National Assembly Chairwoman and the staff of the group during the first working day.
While sending the best wishes to the entire staff of HDBank, Vietjet, member companies of Sovico and workers in general, Chairwoman Ngan also extended thanks to foreign personnel who contributed to the development of the Vietnamese economy. “We regard you as an important part of our country,” she said.
Ngan also highly appreciated community and charity activities of HDBank and Vietjet in addition to the two companies’ economic and budgetary contributions. “These activities represent corporate social responsibility in line with Vietnam’s culture and tradition, and the Party’s line on building an economy with responsibility and sharing. Ngan said she hopes HDBank and Vietjet will continue to gain more successes while highlighting social and economic benefits and law observance, as well as being at the forefront when it comes to building a prosperous and long-lived Vietnam.
After her visits to enterprises, workers, HDBank and Vietjet in HCMC, Chairwoman Ngan would fly to Hanoi where she was scheduled to make visits to Vietcombank and the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
