Footwear Export Rises 25.2 per cent On-year in Two Months
Vietnam is estimated to have exported US$300 million from footwear products in February, raising the total figure in the first two months to US$769 million, increasing by 25.3 per cent on-year, General Statistics Office reported.
Despite the increase, the sector continues to struggling against shortages of labor, materials and export markets, said Vietnam Leather and Shoe Association (Lefaso).
Vietnamese enterprises are coping with fierce competition from rivals in the region, especially China, Lefaso added.
The association said the industry is gearing production towards high-grade footwear and boost trade promotion.
Businesses should develop new markets of great potential such as the U.S., Japan, Taiwan and Eastern Europe rather just focusing on the European Union (EU), suggested economists.
The shoe industry has targeted to rake in US$4.5 billion from exports this year, an on-year rise of 15.4 per cent, according to Lefaso. (GSO Feb 2008, Vietnam & World Economy, VNA)
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