Vietnam-EU Trade Valued at US$7.7B in H1: GSO
Trade between Vietnam and the EU stood at US$7.7 billion in the first half of this year, including the former’s trade surplus of US$1.9 billion, according to the General Statistics Office.
The Southeast Asian nation’s exports to the bloc rose 5.9% from a year earlier to
US$4.8 billion in H1 despite the EU debt crisis, the GSO said, adding that Vietnam imported US$2.9 billion, up 20.4%.
Apparel, footwear, woodwork products, unripened coffee and seafood are Vietnam’s export staples to the EU while its main imports are machinery, medicines, apparel accessories, steel and fertilizers
Vietnam is also trying to speed up negotiations on the Partnership and Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU, which are expected to further boost the bilateral trade ties.
The EU currently is Vietnam’s second largest importer after the U.S. The two-way trade fell 6.67% from a year earlier to US$15.2 billion in 2009 due to the global economic slowdown. (GSO)
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