Workshop helps boost cotton imports from Africa

A workshop discussing measures to boost cotton imports from eastern and southern African countries to Vietnam was held in Hanoi on August 19.

According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa, trade relations between Vietnam and African countries in recent years had seen development but were yet to match their potential.

In 2010, Vietnam imported over 47,600 tonnes of cotton worth nearly US$194 million from African countries, including about 16,700 tonnes from Africa’s eastern and southern parts and South Africa.

Therefore, this workshop provided further information on the African cotton market and created a direct contact channel between Vietnam and African partners, Thoa said.

President of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association Vu Duc Giang said that in 2010, Vietnam imported 357,300 tonnes of cotton from the US, India, Africa and other markets.

Among those exporters, the African cotton had good quality and suitable prices, so it will remain a popular choice for many Vietnamese businesses in the future, he said. – VNA

Tags: Vietnam cotton imports