Vietnam achieved a significant trade surplus in the period from January 1 to February 15, according to figures from the General Department of Customs.
Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of nearly 1.4 billion USD in the period, including a surplus of 774.6 million USD attained in January, and 614.4 million USD in the first half of February.
This was a good sign, considering the trade deficit was 538.7 million USD during the same period in 2012.
The sharp increases in the country’s total exports, up to 29.1 percent, were the chief reasons behind the higher trade surplus Vietnam enjoyed in the period.
Foreign-invested enterprises scored a 33 percent growth in export turnover and domestic enterprises a 23.3 percent growth compared with the same period last year.
Products attaining high growth rates in export turnover included pepper, cassava and cassava products, hats and umbrellas, timber and wooden products, textiles and garments, steel, computers, electronics and components, telephones and components, and means of transport, and spare parts.
The textile and garment sector took the lead in export turnover with over 2.1 billion USD; followed by telephones and components with nearly 1.95 billion USD, and electronics and components with export turnover of nearly 1.1 billion USD.
Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus with 53 of its 89 major overseas markets, with a surplus of over 100 million to each of 13 countries, including the US with over 1.6 billion USD; the UK with nearly 314 million USD; Japan with nearly 304 million USD; and Hong Kong of China with 215 million USD.
The high trade surplus in the first half of the first quarter of 2013 will help create conditions for the country to increase its foreign currency reserves.-VNA
