The first publication on import and export report

	What does the List of Vietnam’s import and export goods 2017 stipulate?
	Major export products in January 2017
	The main import and export markets in 2016

Textile and Garment is one of the industries which had significant contributions to the country’s export turnover. Photo: Phan Thu.

Exports grow fast

Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade said at the announcement on Vietnam import and export reports in 2016 that, Vietnam import and export activities had developed over the past time, from export of more than $US 5 billion (in 1995) to export of nearly $US 177 billion at the end of 2016, increasing by 9% compared to 2015.

“This growth rate can make many people (attendants at the announcement) not satisfied but we should have a more objective view. In the context of decline in the world market price and decline in the demand of importing countries, Vietnam still retains a praiseworthy growth rate" Mr. Khanh shared.

Another bright spot in the import-export picture pointed out by Mr. Khanh is that the export structure has changed, in which processed products increased by 8-9%, the export structure has shifted positively from export of raw products into export of processed products with high added value.

Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of Import – Export Department (under the Ministry of Industry and Trade) added that from 2013 until now, Vietnam's exports have high growth rates. The figure of 9% in 2016 is very significant in the context of regional countries with low growth or negative growth such as China, Korea, India, and Singapore.

This result is due to the signing of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Mr. Hai informed, by the end of 2016, Vietnam signed and implemented 10 bilateral and multilateral agreements. Total export turnover of preferential C / O in 2016 reached $US 26.6 billion, accounting for 36.2% of total export turnover to the markets with FTAs. The turnover of preferential C / O was quite stable, from the C / O form EAV for exports to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union when the Vietnam - Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement took effect from October, 2016.

Favorite product of enterprises?

It can be seen that, after many years of export, until now, March 29, 2017, this is the first time Vietnam published the 2016 import and export report. This report contains the main contents: Overview on Vietnam’s and the world’s economy ; The export situation (agricultural - aquatic products and processed products); the import situation (agricultural – aquatic products, mineral fuels, industrial products); Export and import markets; Import and export policies and mechanisms; Information on free trade agreements; and Trade. The adequacy of the report was highly appreciated by Mr. Vu Duc Giang, chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, but he still has concerns about some defects in the report.

Accordingly, the report has not assessed the number of exports and imports through unregulated trade, especially smuggling in some sensitive sectors. "The Ministry of Industry and Trade and Customs should assess the impact of these activities on the market, not just mention the import and export of commodities," said by Giang.

Besides, he noted that the use of barriers and solutions for trade protection must be adapted to the barriers of other countries. Mr. Giang acknowledged that in the recent five years, the textile and garment industry has created a big difference which was exports of five key commodities to the world market including: Clothes, yarns, fabrics, accessories and fabrics for technology of road construction and making tires for cars and motorcycles.

Besides the stability of the main export markets such as the US, EU and Japan, the textile and garment industry has created new markets such as Korea (export dramatically increased in recent years) and China.

As for fibers, Vietnam has exported to many markets such as China, Turkey and India. However, as soon as these products are exported, they are immediately fenced up by domestic producers. Specifically, when we export to China so quickly, they immediately build protection mechanisms for the cotton industry. Or exports of fibers to Turkey and India also must face the imposition of anti-dumping duties, leading the exports of this commodity be closed.

The fact that exports have been blocked, Mr. Giang said the import-export report on the protection capacity needs to show the measures. The Ministry of Industry and Trade should adapt immediately and immediately return against the countries when the technical barriers are issued against the delay.

Import and Export turnovers in the first two months of 2017 reached more than $US 55.66 billion VCN- According to statistics of import and export goods of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the ...

According to Tran Quoc Khanh, this first publication will have many shortcomings, the Editorial Board is looking forward to receiving comments from readers to complete it gradually. "We try to strive after five periods, the report will become the favorite publication of enterprises," stated by Mr. Khanh.