Vietnam 2008 trade deficit to soar to $14.25 bln

HANOI, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The Vietnamese government has forecast the economy's trade gap will widen to $14.25 billion next year from about $9 billion expected in 2007 as it planned to step up investment in key energy projects.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade projected exports would rise an annual 19 percent to $57 billion next year while imports would jump 25 percent to about $71.25 billion, a government report obtained on Friday said.