Docs leathers

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Domestic leather and footwear firms have no choice but to convert their production activities as difficulties are expected to linger through this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts have said. According to Phan Thi Thanh Xuan , an expert from the project on promoting reform and enhancing connectivity of small and medium-sized enterprises funded by the US Agency for International Development ( USAID ), the industry had been negatively affected since the outbreak of the pandemic last year. At that time, most enterprises merely had enough materials for production until the first week of March. From March onwards, the pandemic spread shut down the European and US markets where almost all stores were closed and sales fell freely. Another problem is that prolonged pandemic has changed the trends, as well as the habits of consumers. More than 60 percent of consumers have cut down expenses on fashion products. About 65 percent of consumers have switched from fancy fashion to basic and durable fashion products, and 67 percent care about the quality of the working environment of manufacturing enterprises. Enterprises have encountered difficulties as they have failed to find the market for their products and not revamped production in a timely manner to adapt to the new market changes. Given this, Xuan suggested domestic enterprises increase their investment in automation, raise productivity to reduce costs, build closed production chains, and self-supply materials. Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) However, according to Nguyen Thi Xuan Thuy, head of the Department of Integration Strategy and Policy under the Institute of Industrial and Trade Policy and Strategy, out of 3,000 footwear producers, only 17 have designing activities, 400 process intermediate stages or produce auxiliary materials and accessories, and 20 percent of them use automation equipment. Economic experts …

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Over 14,000 tonnes of dragon fruit exported to China via Lao Cai border gates During the period, total import-export revenue through border gates in Lao Cai reached over 11 million USD, including 2.4 million USD worth of imports, mainly fertilisers and farm produce, and 8.8 million USD worth of exports, mostly agricultural products. In 2020, despite the impact of COVID-19, the Border Gate Customs Sub-Department under the Lao Cai Department of Customs completed its “twin targets” by processing customs clearance declarations for 516 businesses with import-export value of over 1 billion USD and ensuring safety from the pandemic. In 2021, it will closely coordinate with other sectors to speed up administrative reform while exhibiting better performance in e-customs clearance activities to save time and cost, ensuring economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control at the same time./. Local automobile group exports over 200 units, parts Automobile producer THACO recently shipped more than 200 Kia vehicles and auto parts to Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (RoK). The conglomerate’s largest export consignment to date, made on February 17, comprised of cars, buses and semi-trailers manufactured at its factories at the THACO-Chu Lai Industrial Park in central Quang Nam province. The exports included 80 Grand Carnival cars to Thailand, the company’s seventh consignment to its partner, Yontrakit, since December 2019. One hundred and twenty Kia Soluto cars were shipped to Myanmar, the sixth batch to this market. Kia cars manufactured by THACO are increasingly appreciated by customers in ASEAN countries since their quality is equivalent to those made in the RoK and meets global Kia standards, while their prices are very competitive. In 2021, THACO plans to export 1,480 automobiles to Thailand and Myanmar, expand exports to other markets, and gradually achieve its goal of becoming a production and export base for Kia Motors …

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According to Nikkei, the country recorded economic growth of 2.9% last year due to its success in containing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), in addition to the robust exports of electronics and other consumer products, with the nation reportedly targeting a growth rate of 6.5% this year. The Japanese media also quote a report produced by Gareth Leather, senior Asia economist at Capital Economics, who notes that Vietnamese exports should continue to be supported by tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese goods. "To avoid US tariffs, importers have shifted demand from China to alternative suppliers. With US-China relations likely to remain strained over the years ahead, this trend is likely to continue,” Leather noted. Nikkei also stress that before the pandemic, Southeast Asia achieved collective annual growth of approximately 5% over the course of many years, therefore making it one of the world's best-performing regions in economic terms. According to media reports, the region has become an attractive investment destination, with a relatively young population that drives demand and provides plenty of manufacturing labour. Although these factors can be viewed as advantages that can boost economic growth, the region’s top priority in the short term is to stamp out COVID-19. …

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