Mobile phone imports from China increase
China was the biggest supplier of mobile phones and parts to Vietnam in the first half of this year, accounting for 64.2 per cent of the country's imports of these products, the General Department of Vietnam Customs said.
Imports of the items from China saw a 18.2 per cent year-on-year increase to US$3.35 billion. The Republic of Korea (RoK) was second with nearly US$1.48 billion following a 57.6 per cent rise.
Total imports of mobile phones and parts rose 32 per cent to US$5.22 billion.
During the period Vietnam's exports of phones and components topped US$14.6 billion, up 26.4 per cent.
The EU was the largest buyer at $4.97 billion, up 18.8 per cent, followed by the UAE with US$2.21 billion and the US with US$1.3 billion.
Vietnam's imports of computers and electronic components and parts rose by more than a third to US$11.19 billion, most of it by foreign-owned companies. Local firms' imports were worth a mere US$864 million.
The RoK continued to be the largest seller, shipping $3.3 billion worth of these items, up 32.9 per cent year-over-year.
China and Japan were second and third with US$2.37 billion and US$1.1 billion.
Vietnam's exports of these products were worth US$7.36 billion for a 60 per cent increase. The EU was the biggest customer, with its purchases soaring by 70.5 per cent to US$1.45 billion, followed by the US and China.
The country's overall exports in the first half were worth US$77.77 billion, a 9.3 per cent rise. Imports were up 16.7 per cent at US$80.84 billion.