VIETRADE - Export:

The total export turnover of Vietnam in the first nine months of 2011 reached USD 69.73 billion, up 34.9% over the same period last year.

Customs statistics show that the latest export value of FDI enterprises by September 2011 was 32.78 billion USD, up by 36.4% over the same period of last year and accounted for 47% of the total export turnover of the country.

Table 1: STATISTICS OF MAIN EXPORT PRODUCTS, 2005 - First 9 months of 2011

Unit: mil. USD

(Source: General Statistics Office of Vietnam/General Department of Vietnam Customs)

Despite much progress, the exports of Vietnam are still inadequate in comparison with regional and international standards. It has been found that the competitive capacity of Vietnamese goods is deficient at national, sector and enterprise levels; business management skills have to be improved to meet regional and international standards. Auxiliary industries are developing slowly. Production relies largely on imported materials, so exported products are mainly made by outsourced industries.

Figure 1: Export value of some major commodities of Vietnam from September 2010 to September 2011

(Unit: USD million) 

(Source: General Department of Customs)

Import:

The total import turnover in the first nine months of 2011 reached 77.32 billion USD, up by 27.7% over the same period in 2010.

Customs statistics show that the latest import value of FDI enterprises by September 2011 was 34.24 billion USD, up by 30.3% over the same period last year and accounted for 44.3% of the total import turnover of the country.

Table 2: STATISTICS OF MAIN IMPORT PRODUCTS (From 2005 to Firt 9 months of  2011)

Unit: mil. USD

(Source: General Department of Vietnam Customs)

Figure 2: Import values of some major commodities of Vietnam from September 2010 to September 2011

(Unit: USD million)

(Source: General Department Of Customs)

In the context of international integration, Vietnam finds a lot of opportunities to further co-operate with global enterprises in general and with Japanese enterprises in particular. The opportunities are good for technology transfer and exchanges of experience and management methods, with financial support.

On the other hand, Vietnam is strong and has great potential in agricultural products, forestry products, aquatic products, tropical vegetables and fruits, garment and textiles, wooden furniture, traditional handicrafts which are now major export earners of Vietnam. Production capacity, quality and design have been enhanced recently and thus attract buyers and customers from all over the world. These factors work for Vietnam's ability to supply Japan with large quantities, stable and diversified commodities, world standard quality and at competitive prices.

Thus, it is believed that Vietnam and Japan have a great potential for increased trade./.