# Vietnamese goods

While the agreement awaits entry into force, businesses are recommended to review tariff schedules, product-specific origin requirements, the costs of origin certification, quality testing and compliance with importers’ standards. Early preparation will help them make effective use of the new opportunities.

In January, the US remained the biggest importer of Vietnamese goods with a revenue of about 7.6 billion USD, while China was the biggest exporter to Vietnam with 8.1 billion USD.

With the impending EU-Vietnam Trade Agreement (EVFTA) set to come into force during the second half of the year, exports are poised to enjoy a fresh impetus, but it remains vital to invest methodically and restructure necessary supply chains in order for Vietnamese goods to remain competitive in the long run.

A workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on June 21 gave several recommendations to Vietnamese firms to help them capitalise on Middle Eastern and African markets, which are believed to be greatly potential destinations for Vietnamese goods.

WEF ASEAN in Vietnam and the launching of "Vietnamese goods conquer Vietnamese people" movement are among Vietnam's top 10 economic events in 2018.

Vu Thi Thanh Hanh, general manager of Learth Vietnam Co Ltd, said sales of her company’s VietJoy leaf tea products were very good three months after they entered the Singaporean market.

The competition between domestic and foreign goods in accessing modern distribution channels has become tougher, according to economic experts.

Changes in Kazakhstan’s economic structure as well as high demand for agriproducts offer opportunities for Vietnamese exporters in the country, according to Vietnam’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan Doan Thi Xuan Hien.