VOV.VN - Japan imported more than 1,500 tonnes of bananas from Vietnam worth JPY166 million (US$1.3 million), a year-on-year rise of 38.5% in volume and 30.2% in value, reports Japan Customs.

Over-reliance on input material imports, small production value and outdated technology were among the major weaknesses of Vietnam's steel industry, said a recent report by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Up to 89% of the imports in the first four months of this year are raw materials and accessories for domestic production with a combined value of US$106.6 billion, up 16.8% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Tight timber supply, coupled with transport delays, has been holding back furniture manufacturers, exposing the need for domestic substitution for imported timber.

VOV.VN - Vietnam posted a trade surplus of US$1.07 billion in April, bringing the total in the first four months of this year to US$2.53 billion, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has proposed the Government cut the most favoured nation (MFN) tariff on unleaded petrol from the current rate of 20% to 12%.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on April 25 chaired a meeting with some ministries and sectors to address problems related to medical equipment import and e-health declaration upon arrival.

VOV.VN - The nation is ready to work alongside China to promote the stable, balanced, and sustainable development of bilateral trade, thereby bringing practical benefits to both sides.

While the Russia-Ukraine conflict has left negative impacts related to transport, inflation and international payments on import and export activities, it could also create opportunities for businesses which adopted timely adaptation measures, experts have said.

Many key products of Vietnam meet the import demands of Algeria, making the African country a promising market for Vietnam, according to Hoang Duc Thuan, Vietnam's trade counselor in Algeria.