
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s export turnover to Laos roseby 9.87 percent to 244.6 million USD in the first five months of 2018, accordingto the General Statistics Office (GSO).
From January to May, Vietnam shipped 58,000 tonnes ofiron and steel to Laos for 42.9 million USD, making the products again thebiggest hard currency earner in the Lao market which accounted for 17.5 percentof the total exports.
They were followed by, of whichLaos imported 63,200 tonnes for 42 million USD from Vietnam; vehicles, partsand accessories; products made of iron and steel; and machinery and equipment.
Growth was seen in most of exported items with thehighest recorded in non-wood furniture, at 44.47 percent, which brought home417,600 USD.
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs,two-way trade between Vietnam and Laos amounted to 892.9 million USD in 2017,up 8.5 percent from the previous year and with a trade surplus of 156.1 millionUSD enjoyed by Vietnam.
Last year, Vietnam’s exports to Laos reached 524.5million USD, a year-on-year increase of 9.7 percent while Vietnam imported368.4 million USD worth of commodities from Laos, up 6.8 percent year-on-year.Laos’ main export products to Vietnam included fertilizers, ores and minerals,and wood.-VNA