The results of the survey, conducted in the 2nd quarter of this year in 10 countries and territories in the Asian-Pacific region, including Vietnam, were announced in Ho Chi Minh City on July 16.

Despite concerns about the current economic conditions, most of the companies surveyed said that they planned to maintain or increase their staff and continue with capital investment. They also expect trade to continue to be robust. Companies were asked about their local economic outlook for the next six months, their plans to increase or reduce capital investment and staffing levels, as well as their expected results of trade performance with mainland China, Asia and the rest of the world.

According to Margaret Leung, global co-head of commercial banking at the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Asia’s small businesses are doing well in exports and still experience a healthy domestic demand.

While the region is not immune to global economic factors, the survey suggests that for now SMEs are still expanding their businesses and expect strong trade, especially within Asia.

A majority of respondents said that their trading will remain at the current buoyant levels or could even grow.

SMEs surveyed in Vietnam remained overwhelmingly positive about trade prospects with China, the rest of Asia and the rest of the world.

About 55 percent say the amount of trade with mainland China will grow. However, 32 percent say they will remain the same as last year.

As for the rest of Asia, 57 percent expect a growth in trade and 35 percent expect the same level of trade as last year’s.

Prospects for trade with the rest of the world are almost the same: 49 percent expect growth and 38 percent expect trade levels to remain unchanged.

Regarding the results, Huynh Buu Quang, Head of the HSBC Commercial Bank in Vietnam said: “It’s heartening to see that while dealing with many difficulties, Vietnamese SMEs appear to be very proactive and have a positive attitude because of continuous investment, more recruitment and a high confidence in the prospects for international trade.

The survey found that 54 percent of Vietnamese SMEs expect an increase in capital investment and 41 percent believe it will remain at the same level for the rest of the year.

While 74 percent of SMEs across Asia plan to maintain their current staffing levels, in Vietnam 44 percent were planning to increase their numbers.

Quang cited another HSBC survey as saying that 70 percent of Vietnamese SMEs want to obtain loans from banks for business maintenance and development plans.

SMEs account from around 35-40 percent of HSBC Vietnam’s corporate clients.