The Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long has earned 332 billion USD fromexports so far this year, down 11.16 percent from 2012.
The result, equivalent to only 82 percent of the province’s yearlytarget, was due to a decrease in exports of key products as well asdifficulties from markets and a lack of diverse currency earners.
Decline was seen in five out of eight major export products, includingrice, aquatic and agricultural products, vegetables and other goods. Onthe other hand, turnover from apparel, footwear and handicraftsexceeded their target by 5-10 percent.
According toNguyen Van Con, Vice Director of the provincial Department of Industryand Trade, both rice and aquatic products faced difficulties in 2013 dueto changes in import demand and policies.
Rice,which accounts for 42 percent of the locality’s total export turnover,saw a decrease of 23.32 percent in volume and 33.14 percent in value at160 million USD, he revealed.
Meanwhile, the exportof aquatic products, the second largest currency earner, also fellsharply by 42.81 percent, he added.
In 2014, VinhLong will strive to raise its export turnover to 380 million USD. Toreach the goal, the province will apply a number of measures todiversify its export products, focusing on pharmaceuticals, pottery andprocessed food.
The locality will support localbusinesses in enhancing trade promotions in traditional markets andpromising ones such as Russia and African countries, he said.
In addition, Vinh Long will give incentives to aquaculture productprocessing and farming firms, enabling them to access credit sources toexpand production, thus diversifying export products, Con added.-VNA