Vietnam, South Africa enjoy growing trade

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and South Africa is on an upward trend with an estimated turnover of 962 million USD in 2014, up 5 percent from a year ago.
Bilateral trade between Vietnam and South Africa is on an upward trendwith an estimated turnover of 962 million USD in 2014, up 5 percent froma year ago.

Of the figure, Vietnam’s exports to South Africareached 815 million USD and imports were 147 million USD, said VietnamTrade Counselor Nguyen Hong Tien.

Two-way trade between the twocountries experienced remarkable features, Tien said, adding that coffeeand footwear were up 71 percent and 7 percent, accounting for 18percent and 12.5 percent of the market shares, respectively.

Meanwhile, the import of scrap steel from South Africa saw a 38 percent decrease due to Vietnam’s sluggish property market.

Tiensaid the economic development forecast for both countries in 2015 ispositive. The Vietnamese Government has set a goal for a GDP growth rateof 6.2 percent against the last year’s figure of 5.98 percent. SouthAfrica has predicted a growth rate of 2.6 percent, nearly doubling2013’s figure.

According to the Vietnamese official, theVietnamese Government’s attention to enhancing ties with Africa,including South Africa, and the acceleration of diplomatic and tradepromotion activities in 2015 will create favourable conditions forboosting bilateral trade between the two countries.

However, he pointed out a number of difficulties in payment and transportation between the two countries, hindering trade.

Furthermore,Vietnamese enterprises have not paid sufficient attention to promisingmarkets in Africa, including South Africa, such as making fact-findingtours or joining fairs and exhibitions.

According to the TradeOffice at the Vietnamese Embassy to South Africa cum Mozambique,Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho, last year two-waytrade turnover between Vietnam and the African countries reached 92.9million USD, 34.7 million USD, 26.4 million USD, 21.1 million USD, 14.7million USD, and 12.3 million USD, respectively.

Cooperativeprospects between Vietnam and the countries are huge as they are in highdemand for importing Vietnam’s key export products, especially rice,Tien said.

South Africa will act as a gateway for improved relations with other African countries, he added.-VNA

See more

Industrial factories in Tan Uyen city, the southern province of Binh Duong (Photo: VNA)

Investors upbeat about Vietnam’s industrial property market

Investors are bullish on Vietnam's industrial property market growth on the back of the nation's strategic location, sound infrastructure, and increasing demand for industrial space, particularly industrial parks that meet green standards, according to market research.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the EU Nguyen Van Thao addresses the forum (Photo: VNA)

Forum connects Vietnamese, Belgian busineses

The Vietnam-Belgian business forum took place in Brussels on October 23, offering a chance for enterprises of the two countries to introduce their products and explore new cooperation opportunities.

The expos cover over 6,000 sq.m, drawing over 210 exhibitors from 10 countries and territories. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi hosts textile & garment, fabric garment accessories expos

The Vietnam Hanoi Textile & Garment Industry and Fabric Garment Accessories Expos 2024 (HanoiTex & HanoiFabric 2024) is taking place in Hanoi on October 23 – 25 as part of a series of international exhibitions on Vietnam's textile and garment industry.

Representatives from Vietnamese and Lao agencies, localities and businesses at the opening ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos trade fair 2024 in Xiengkhouang province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos step up trade, tourism promotion

A Vietnam-Laos trade fair was kicked off in Phonsavanh township in Xiengkhouang province of Laos on October 23 as part of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos (October 30, 1949 – 2024).

Illustrative photo (Photo: chinhphu.vn)

Vietnamese goods enter US through global supply chain

The Saigon Co.op Distribution Company Limited (SCD) - a member of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Trade Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op), and STC Natural Vina Company on October 23 held a hand-over ceremony for goods that will be exported to the US.

Vietnam’s lobsters have clawed their way back onto Chinese menus after a suspension. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s lobsters claw back prominence in China

Vietnam’s lobster export to the Chinese market in January-September rose 33 folds year-on-year on the back of lower prices and stronger trade ties between the two nations, the South China Morning Post said on October 22.