Despite France’s economic difficulties, two-way trade between France and Vietnam has grown remarkably over the past two years, reaching 2.2 billion EUR in 2011, a year-on-year rise of 10.9 percent.

Of the figure, around 1.6 billion EUR came from Vietnamese exports, representing a year-on-year increase of 18.5 percent.

Among Vietnam’s export staples, household utensils, footwear and garment products recorded steady growth rates, at 11 percent, 16 percent and 23 percent, respectively.

Trade counsellor of the Vietnamese Embassy in France Nguyen Canh Cuong attributed the continuous growth in Vietnam’s exports to France to the higher proportion of essential goods with reasonable prices and high quality that meet French consumers’ requirements.

The official said Vietnam’s key staples, including garment products, sport shoes, rice, coffee, pepper and seafood, are likely to increase their market share in France in the years to come, as they have become favourites among French consumers, including overseas Vietnamese.

However, Cuong also warned Vietnamese seafood exporters to strictly abide by food hygienic and safety standards and to be cautious in payments o avoid possible losses./.