Vietnam Exports to U.S. Rise 1.6% to US$5.77B in First Half of 2009

Vietnam reportedly shipped US$5.77 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in the first half of this year, representing a slight increase of 1.6% from a year earlier, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) under the Department of Commerce said.

 

Apparel remained Vietnam’s greatest cash earner with US$2.39 billion during the period, up 2.3% on-year, followed by footwear with US$720,000, up 20% on-year.

 

Other exports to the U.S. reporting a value of US$300,000 each included farm produce, electronics, seafood, crude oil, and petrochemical products.

 

During the first half, the country also spent US$1.3 billion on importing goods from the U.S., falling 15.5% against the same period last year, resulting in a trade surplus for Vietnam of US$4.37 billion.

 

Two-way trade in the first half reached US$7.07 billion, representing an on-year decrease of 2%, said the USITC.

 

Vietnam is forecast to fetch between US$12.6 and US$13 billion from goods exported to the U.S. this year, up from US$12 billion last year with the value of this year’s apparel exports at US$5.5 billion and wood furniture and footwear at US$1.4 billion each. (Vietnam & World Economy)