A latest survey shows that Vietnam ’s textile and garment exports saw the world’s highest growth of 32 percent in the 2005-2011 period.

The information was released by Dhyana Van der Pols, consultant of the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) under the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on April 13.

China came next in the rankings with a growth of 15 percent, followed by India with 10 percent and Turkey , Malaysia and Thailand with 7 percent.

Vietnam ’s rate is attributable to its political stability and low labour costs, Dhyana Van der Pols said, adding that the country attracts importers thanks to its ability to supply a wide range of garment products.

She said that although Vietnam is not named in the top 10 textile and garment exporters to the European Union, a future free trade agreement (FTA) between the two sides is expected to open up an opportunity for Vietnam to increase its exports to the world’s largest apparel consumer.

The conference, themed “Competitiveness of Vietnam Textile Industry: Perspective in the Eyes of International Experts”, was co-organised by the CBI and the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).-VNA