Imported looms boost textile industry

The demand for imported textile machines is increasing because few are being made in Viet Nam and the industry is growing, says former chairman of the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group Le Quoc An.

However one of the major difficulties with imported machines was the high price, An said.

“Many companies have shifted to buying from Asian suppliers who offer more affordable machines.”

Textile machines exported to Viet Nam last year by Germany, a typical supplier, increased 114 per cent in value compared to 2009, reaching 34 million euros (US$23.13 million), of which 30 million euros ($20.4 million) was for spinning machines.

“Production lines in a textile company may require 200,000 different machines, costing around $200 million, a lot of money,” An said.

Textile equipment from Germany, France and Japan were of good quality but they were really expensive.

Expanding international co-operation to make the most use of technology from other countries was one of the solutions proposed by the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association.

Two expos this month had given access to modern machines and technology from foreign countries with explanations of their technology and capacities without the need to go abroad to learn about them, the association said.

At the Vietnam Saigon Garment and Accessories Machinery Expo 2011, companies were able to buy weaving and industrial sewing machines directly from foreign firms.

And the recent German Technology for Vietnamese Textile Industry expo provided useful information about the latest developments and technological solutions.

The Vietnamese textile industry has seen a strong growth, with $11.2 billion of export turnover last year, up 29 per cent compared to 2009, which had made Viet Nam a destination for exporters of foreign textile equipment. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam textile industry