According to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), the garment-textile industry imports about 70 percent of its materials from China. (Illustrative image. Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Garment-textile andfootwear enterprises are seeking material supplies from markets besides Chinaamid the complicated developments of the acute respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV2(COVID-19).
According to the Vietnam Textile and ApparelAssociation (VITAS), the garment-textile industry imports about 70 percent ofits materials from China.
Vice chairwoman and secretary general of theVietnam Leather and Footwear Association Phan Thi Thanh Xuan said the sector alsolargely depends on imported material from China.
If Chinese factories’ output slows, it would beimpossible for Vietnamese footwear companies to meet their production plans.
Chairman of VITAS Vu Duc Giang said if the epidemiccontinues to prolong, many businesses are likely to suspend operations due to alack of materials.
Given this difficulty, the Vietnam NationalTextile and Garment Group (VINATEX) has been focusing on producing face masksas a way to maintain operation.
Many businesses have set up face mask productionchains to maintain production and limit the damage caused by the COVID-19epidemic.
Vice chairman of VITAS Truong Van Cam said toprepare for the worst scenario, some garment-textile and footwear firms areplanning to import materials from the Republic of Korea, India, Bangladesh andBrazil to make up for the shortage of materials.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade said it will helpthe sector to seek appropriate suppliers.
In 2020, the garment-textile and footwearsectors aim to gross about 42 billion USD and 24 billion USD in export turnover,respectively. However, these targets are unlikely to be met due to the impactsof COVID-19, according to insiders./.
VNA
