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The Vietnam News

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[Year 2002]

Vietnamese-French trade grows in 2001

HANOI - Trade between Vietnam and France hasbeen growing strongly and consistently, increasing 22 times to 1.13 billion euros (1.13 billion US dollars) in 2001 from 50 millioneuros (50 million dollars) in 1986, according to a report of the local daily Vietnam News on Wednesday.

Vietnamese exports to France reached a record high of 820 million euros (820 million dollars) in 2001 from a mere 16 million euros (16 million dollars) in 1986, and Vietnam became one of the few countries having a trade surplus with France since 1997. Vietnam expects to reach one billion euros in exports to France this year, an increase of 21.4 percent over last year. Its exportsto France topped 250 million euros (250 million dollars) in the first quarter this year.

France has become one of the top buyers of the country's garments and footwear, with combined imports last year of 512.5 million euros (512.5 million dollars), 362.4 million euros (362.4 million dollars) worth footwear and 150.1 million euros (150.1 million dollars) worth garments. Leather products, coffee and gem stones are other leading Vietnamese exports to the European country, fetching 40.2 million euros, 43.9 million euros and 29.9 million euros respectively lastyear.

France now ranks the 12th among the 100 countries that trade with Vietnam and in the European Union, it is the second only behind Germany. However, Vietnam ranks just 46th among those countries exporting to France, accounting for a mere 0.24 percent of France's imports in 2000.

Xinhuanet - July 17, 2002