$5 BILLION CREDIT PACKAGE AUTHORISED FOR THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR

A new government resolution has tasked the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) with overseeing the execution of a $5 billion lending scheme and coordinating with commercial banks to ease the burdens in the property sector and promote development.

Resolution No. 33/NQ-CP will see some of the country's largest banks, such as Agribank, BIDV, Vietcombank, and Vietinbank, provide financing to investors and homebuyers for social housing and the refurbishment of existing apartments. This loan package represents approximately 12 per cent of the capital required to accomplish the objective of constructing at least one million additional social housing units by 2030.

During this period, the interest rate will be 1.5–2 per cent below the median and long-term lending rates of state-owned banks. The government has ordered that the SBV instruct credit institutions to audit their construction projects to ensure the safe function of the financial sector.

In addition, cutting operational expenses will allow for the reduction of interest rates on loans in the industry and will help ease access to credit.

According to the document, the SBV is to instruct the financial system to carry out a risk assessment on each business and venture to evaluate lending requirements.

The SBV has been granted the authority to deem what it considers acceptable risk parameters in the market and oversee laws pertaining to corporate bonds in accordance with the government's policy for the corporate bond market.

Furthermore, the government has identified the construction and growth of social housing for low-income employees as an expenditure element in the medium and long-term financing of municipalities. A resolution is to be drafted in the National Assembly that will kickstart initiatives encouraging the construction of such projects.

Particular focus is to be given to issues such as land allocation, along with rental and purchase prices, according to the resolution.

Source: VIR