Exports to France exceed US$3 billion
Two-way trade between Vietnam and France has reached US$4.35 billion in 2012, with Vietnam’s exports exceeding US$3 billion, nearly 10 times the figure of US$380 million in 2000.
According to Commercial Counsellor Nguyen Canh Cuong, Vietnam has exported mobile phone, electronic parts, furniture, household utensils, garment, footwear, seafood and coffee while importing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, machines, energy equipment and transport vehicles.
Cuong noted that Vietnamese businesses are facing difficulties in the French market such as the local economic slowdown, severe competitions from China, India, Central and Eastern European countries, Thailand, Malaysia and Brazil, local consumers’ strict requirements and high transport costs.
He suggested they build strategies to access the French market, trends, consumer tastes, culture, and set up long-term partnership with local businesses.
Cuong also emphasised the need to hold trade promotion programmes and international fairs while strengthening ties with Vietnamese entrepreneurs in France.
Vietnamese companies should prepare to expand investment and market share in the face of risks inherent in the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), he said.
At present, France has 216 projects in Vietnam and third countries with a total capitalization of US$3 billion. Around 240 French businesses are operating in 24 provinces and cities and employing more than 24,000 Vietnamese labourers.