HANOI, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese manufacturers recorded a decline in new orders in April as inflationary pressures rose to their highest level in 15 years, driven by surging fuel and oil costs, according to a report released Monday by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index fell to a seven-month low of 50.5 in April from 51.2 in March.
The reading signaled a tenth consecutive monthly improvement in overall business conditions in the sector, the report said.
Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said the price and supply disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict continued to bear down on growth in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector in April, with rising costs for fuel, oil and transportation hampering both demand and supply. ■