Two-way trade between Vietnam and Malaysia reached 2.142 billion USD in the first quarter of 2013, a year-on-year increase of 36.5 percent.

According to the Trade Office of the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, in the January-March, Vietnam earned 1.152 billion USD from exports to Malaysia while importing more than 990 million USD of goods from the regional country.

Vietnam’s key exports to Malaysia include crude oil, computers, electronic products and spare parts, cell phones and rubber. And from Malaysia, it imports computers and spare parts, plastic, petroleum, machinery and equipment as well as household electricity products.

In terms of investment, Malaysia now ranks 7th among countries and territories in the world and 2nd of ASEAN member countries investing in Vietnam. The country has 432 ongoing projects in Vietnam, with a total investment capital of over 11.3 billion USD.

Meanwhile, Vietnam has invested in nine projects in Malaysia with the registered capital of 412.9 million USD.

According to Vu Van Canh, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor to Malaysia, the two countries’ trade is forecast to increase this year, thanks to a recovery and strong growth in Malaysia ’s economy. Two way trade turnover is expected to hit 8.5-9 billion USD in 2013, including about 5.2 billion USD worth of Vietnamese exports to Malaysia.-VNA