At a conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 11, Mr. Cang urged local businesses to reduce production costs, promote information and experience sharing and increase cooperation with partners in order to boost exports.

The plastic sector of Vietnam has made considerable progress in expanding production and business one year after the country joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO). It has gained a firm foothold in 48 countries around the world.

In 2007, Vietnam earned US$710 million from plastic exports, a year-on-year increase of 48 percent. The figure is expected to reach US$1 billion in 2008, up 41 percent over the previous year.

Vietnam has been able to produce high-quality products of international standards such as packing, mosquito-preventing canvas, windows, insulating aprons and automobile spare parts.

However, local plastic producers are facing many difficulties triggered by the rising prices of raw materials and fuel and high transport costs.