#fertiliser

The first half of the year witnessed bilateral trade turnover between the nation and Laos reach over US$824 million, up 20.6% on-year, of which exports hit US$309.4, down 6%, whilst imports reached nearly US$514.6 million, up 45.4% on-year.

The Ninh Binh Nitrogenous Fertiliser Company has just proposed to get an additional loan of VND350 billion (USD15.43 million) from the government to save its loss-making plant.

The imposition of temporary safeguard duties on DAP and MAP fertiliser imports into Vietnam, which came into effect on August 19, is an effort to help protect the domestic fertiliser industry but might push up production costs for farmers.

Vietnam utilises 11 million tonnes of fertiliser annually and its consumption of local products is rising, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.