Vietnam Asset Management Company Establishment Delayed,

Vietnam will delay establishing a debt asset management company until at least the end of April, as the government struggles to revive an economy hobbled by a slowdown in lending.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asked the central bank and the ministries of finance and planning and investment to “quickly work together to make a better assessment of how much the company can help resolve bad debt between banks and businesses,” Vu Duc Dam, chairman of the Government Office, told reporters yesterday. The company’s formation will be delayed at least until next month’s regular government meeting, he said.