(Corrects to clarify that the government has asked the central bank to
restructure loans, not that the central bank would restructure loans)
HANOI, April 24 (Reuters) - Vietnam's government said it has asked the
central bank to restructure loans for some businesses facing difficulties,
including delaying loan repayments, as it seeks to shore up a slowing economy.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the State Bank of Vietnam to draft
a decision with a view to increasing the number of firms subjected to
restructuring, and extending the timeframe over which it happens, the government
said in a statement at the weekend.
Several companies in Vietnam, a regional manufacturing hub, have been
struggling amid weakening global demand, with exports falling 11.9% in the first
quarter of this year.
Vietnam's economic growth slowed to 3.32% in the January-March period,
against a 5.92% year-on-year expansion in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Chinh at a weekend meeting with the central bank also called for commercial
banks to cut lending interest rates to support businesses and households.
The central bank last month cut several policy rates to support growth amid
global uncertainty.
(Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Edmund Klamann)
khanh.vu.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
