Textiles and garments are the key export item of Vietnam, with $24 billion worth of export turnover in 2014 and an expected $27-27.5 billion in 2015. However, there is a big problem that while foreign invested enterprises are expanding, Vietnamese firms have dwindled.
China's export industries, the textile sector in particular, may possibly be affected as the US and Vietnam join hands in pushing the trade partnership. Vietnamese Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Thong held talks on July 7 at the White House with US president Barack Obama covering the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the 12-nation free trade plan that Obama hopes to implement as a legacy of his two-term presidency.
The government of India as it revives its push for bilateral deals to corner a greater share of the export market is reworking its strategy on free trade agreements (FTAs). Rules of origin are at the heart of these agreements as they are meant to check routing of third-party goods via countries with which an agreement is signed.
Over the years, India has insisted on a system where at least 30-35% value addition takes place in a country with which it signs a trade agreement. In addition, there has to be a change of heading, which means yarn should be finished into a product.
China has ‘put out feelers’ to join the Asia-Pacific trade deal, as per the US media which is a breaking news but not a surprise at all for Vietnamese experts. China will not only need the nod of the US to join TPP but the community of 12 member countries, and China will have to negotiate with each of the 12 countries to obtain TPP membership. The countries will have the right to set conditions for China, and China will have to pay to join TPP.
Huntsman Textile Effects, a division of Huntsman Corporation and a leading manufacturer of dyes and textile chemicals, is increasing its footprints in Vietnam. Its latest venture is a bonded warehouse near Ho Chi Minh City which will open later this month.
The new facility is part of Huntsman’s efforts to address critical business challenges and collaborating with mills and brands in order to drive sustainable growth and create value in Vietnam’s textile industry.
Vietnam textile and garment sector having witnessed good growth in exports in 2014 up by nearly 16 percent reaching $24.5 billion is now aiming at total exports of US$ 28 billion to $28.5 billion in 2015.
The textile and garment sector is expected to benefit from several free trade agreements (FTAs) that are likely to take effect. Owing to advantages accruing from the FTAs, the textile industry could double the size of production in ten years. However, textile enterprises need to be well prepared for the same.
Thailand and Vietnam garment and textile industries to improve competitiveness and exploit the ASEAN market need to strengthen co-operation. Establishing fully vertical integrated-supply chain between Thailand and Vietnam would be one of the big steps toward granting and sustaining competitiveness.
Nguyen Van Tuan, deputy general secretary of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, said that in recent years Vietnam has emerged as a production hub for garment and textile products. However, the industry has had to import up to 85% of materials needed for production.
In the Budget, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the 'Act East' policy of the government endeavors to develop extensive economic and strategic relations in South-East Asia. In order to catalyse investments from the Indian private sector in this region, a Project Development Company will, through separate Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), set up manufacturing hubs in CMLV countries.
Vietnam has been the second largest exporter of garment and textile products to the U.S. for the last several years. The annual export turnover from Vietnam to U.S. market has grown 12-13 percent in recent years while the North American nation’s import value has grown only 3 percent. These achievements were partly due to influences from free trade agreements.
Hong Kong investors have increased their investments in textile and dyeing projects in Vietnam in anticipation of cashing in on new opportunities when Vietnam joins the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and has move up to second position among biggest investors in Viettnam in 2014.
