Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, Sept. 9 (VNA) -- The Government will give priority to four items exported to the United States, namely textiles-garment and leather-footwear, handicrafts and fine arts articles, processed food, and software products, according to the Foreign Trade Development Centre (FTDC).

Viet Nam earned USD 821 million from exports of food, live animals, lubricants and raw materials to the U.S. in 2000, up 35 percent over the previous year. The country expects to increase this year's turnover by 30 percent over last year.

The FTDC has predicted the increased development of Viet Nam's exports to the U.S. during the 2001-2010 period. Exports are expected to climb fast in 2001 and 2002 due to reduced export tariffs; to slow down in the following two years due to the U.S.'s application of quota for textile and garment products; and to surge in the 2005-2010 period as the market for Viet Nam's products matures.

To help boost exports to the U.S., the FTDC has been organising forums and workshops on trade and investment for Vietnamese and U.S. businesses. Meanwhile, the Trade Ministry is accelerating a project to provide free-of-charge information on overseas markets to Vietnamese exporters.--VNA