Trade between Vietnam and Laos had, by the end of May, dropped 16 percent as compared with the same period last year to 162 million USD, said Vietnam Trade Office in Laos.

The drop is partly due to a reduction in Vietnam’s trade deficit to Laos to 18 million USD against 72 million USD last year. Vietnam exported goods worth 72 million USD to Laos, up 18 percent year-on-year in the first five months of this year, while importing only 90 million USD, down 32.3 percent against same period of last year.

According to statistics from General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s exports to Laos are mainly petroleum, iron and steel, machinery, equipment, garments and textiles, footwear, and electrical lines and cables. Lao imports include wood products and metals.

Trade between Vietnam and Laos is estimated to have reached 200 million USD in the first six months of this year, a 10.9 percent year-on-year decrease.

Vietnam’s export value to Laos is likely to increase 16.5 percent to 85 million USD while its import value is estimated to drop 31.3 percent to 115 million USD./.