Software giant FPT
targeted revenues of VND17.1 trillion (US$961 million) this year, just
1.62 per cent higher than last year, but expected profits to climb by
17 per cent to just VND1.5 trillion ($84.3 million), management said at
the firm’s general shareholders meeting on Sunday.


Revenues in 2008 surpassed VND16.8 trillion, an
increase of 21 per cent from the previous year, while profits reached
VND1.24 trillion, a 20.5-per-cent rise over 2007.


The shareholders approved a 26 per cent cash dividend
on 2008 profits, which would leave equity of VND2.37 trillion ($133
million) following the dividend payment.


Market conditions were unfavourable this year, said FPT
board chairman Truong Gia Binh, so the company would not attach special
importance to revenue growth but focus instead on enhancing business
efficiency and developing existing services.


Costs had been cut sharply to cope with the global crisis, with many costs already slashed by 30 to 80 per cent, Binh said.


"In the context of the global economic turmoil, this year will be a tough year for enterprises, including [url="http://www.vietstock.com.vn/vstfinance/StockDetail.aspx?scode=FPT&q=FPT" style="color: rgb(23, 50, 128); text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">FPT, as we have to face a declining market and exchange-rate fluctuations," said FPT Information Systems Co Ltd and