The Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) aiming to remove difficulties for textile and garment enterprises, following feedback and recommendations of many domestic enterprises that they are finding it tough to sustain due to high cost of importing raw material, has appealed to the ministries of finance and industry and trade not to increase import tariffs on polyester fibre from zero to 2 percent.

According to VITAS, enterprises still have to import materials and produce goods domestically. However, many are being forced to close operation as they cannot bear the high cost and expense, such as the Dinh Vu Polyester Fibre Plant in the northern province of Hai Phong.

In another recommendation to the ministry of information and communications, it wanted an amendment to a decree on the conditions for licensing the import of printers for textile products.

According to the decree, the owner of a textile business is allowed to import printers if he has a college diploma or higher in the printing field or is granted a certificate of professional training by the ministry.

VITAS has also urged the government not to raise the regional minimum wage in 2018 and consider adjusting the insurance premium rates paid by firms to a more reasonable level, so that enterprises can mobilise resources and improve their competitiveness to expand production and create jobs in rural and mountainous areas.