Ha Noi products to re-enter East Europe via Czech Republic

Opening the trade promotion workshop, Director of the Ha Noi Department of Industry and Trade Le Hong Thang noted the textile and garment industry is currently the second biggest hard currency earner of Viet Nam, raking in over US$20.7 billion last year and US$10.2 billion in the first half of 2015.

Ha Noi earned US$11 billion in total shipments in 2014, including roughly US$1.6 billion worth of textile and garments. Exports of these commodities to the European Union generated US$436 million, which encouraged the Vietnamese capital city to participate in an international fashion fair in Brno city from August 22-24.

Thang said their visit to the Czech Republic was designed to seek import partners and material suppliers, noting that Ha Noi companies imported more than US$662.5 million of fabric, US$125.6 million of fibre and US$196 million of other materials last year.

Chairman of the Czech Republic-Viet Nam Friendship Association Marcel Winter said Viet Nam’s economy has grown rapidly and dynamically in recent years and has vast cooperation potential. Vietnamese firms produce a number of goods that suit Czech consumer tastes and have demand for quality machinery from the East European country.

Both Thang and Winter agreed that Ha Noi apparel and footwear companies’, as well as Vietnamese firms’, return to traditional East European markets via the Czech Republic will benefit both countries.

In recent years, bilateral trade ties have seen positive growth but remain limited in relation to their potential.

Viet Nam’s main exports to the Czech Republic include coffee, pepper, fresh and dried fruits, peanuts, green tea, rice, rubber, seafood, footwear, textiles, handicraft products and computer spare parts while importing machinery, chemicals, dairy products, pharmaceuticals and plastics.

The Czech Republic considers Viet Nam one of the 12 highest potential markets with trade hitting US$670 million in 2014.-VNA