An Giang: Exports grow sharply in four months

An Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of An Giang posted a surge in exports between January and April, driven by rising demand for its staple products from many markets, according to the local Department of Industry and Trade.

Deputy Director of the department Doan Minh Triet said in the first four months of 2019, An Giang’s exports increased 21.56 percent from the same period last year to reach 284.4 million USD, including 72.61 million USD in April alone – up 1.59 percent month-on-month and 2.61 percent year-on-year respectively.

Surges were seen in the shipments of several key items such as aquatic products, rice, fruits, vegetables, garment-textiles, and footwear, he said, noting that many markets like those in Asia and Europe now have a growing demand for these products.

Local rice and frozen aquatic products have been shipped to 38 and 77 countries, respectively, with 84.67 percent and 53 percent of export quantities destined for Asian markets. Meanwhile, 23 countries, including 11 European ones, have imported fruits and vegetables from An Giang.

During the reviewed period, the province imported 49.37 million USD worth of items, up 16.13 percent against the previous year’s same time.

Triet said that with its nearly 100 km of both land and waterway border with Cambodia, An Giang has two international border gates, two national border gates, and some auxiliary ones. Economic activities via these ports of entry have generated positive outcomes, helping to promote development in the province as well as the Mekong Delta region.

In the four months, trade revenue via local border gates surpassed 1 billion USD, according to the Department of Industry and Trade.

An Giang aims to reach 890 million USD in exports and 170 million USD in imports this year, up 5.95 percent and 13.33 percent from 2018, respectively. –VNA