The total import-export turnover in January-November was estimated at 472 billion USD, he noted.

In the 11-month period, Vietnam exported 241.7 billion USD worth of goods, a year-on-year rise of 7.9 percent. The country spent 230.7 billion USD on imports, up 6.6 percent from the same period last year.

Hai said these outcomes were achieved in the context of sluggish global economy due to increasing risks, challenges, and trade protectionism.

Despites difficulties in 2019, the Vietnamese Government and ministries have spared no effort to simplify administrative and investment procedures, said Nguyen Cam Trang, deputy head of the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

To date, Vietnam has joined negotiation and signing of 16 free trade agreements (FTAs), with 12 already signed and coming into force, she said.

The Government and the MoIT have paid special attention to the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the dissemination of information on other FTAs, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), she added.

According to Deputy Minister Hai, the Government has closely directed the amendment of regulations relating to trade, customs, the national one-stop shop mechanism, specialized inspection and trade facilitiation.

Besides, logistics infrastructure has been significantly improved, he said, adding that Vietnam was ranked 39th among the 160 surveyed countries in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) in 2018, up 25 places compared to two years ago, rising to the third position in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He said the ministry will actively employ measures to realise the National Assembly’s set target of 7-8 percent growth in export turnover in 2019./.VNA

Vietnam posts record trade surplus of nearly US$11 billion

Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of close to US$11 billion during the first 11 months of the year, with roughly US$1.45 billion being recorded during November, according to the latest statistics released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam may see negative impact from trade war in 2020: economists

“We think that in 2020-2022, Vietnam may face negative impact from the trade war instead of short-term positive impact, ” said Tran Toan Thang from the Centre for Socio-Economic Information and Forecast (NCIF).