The ministry said the signing of a number of free trade agreements is expected to open further opportunities for Vietnam’s footwear industry to bolster its exports to the EU and CPTTP member economies.
However, the MOIT added that the Vietnamese footwear industry is also facing a number of difficulties, such as rising labour costs and low productivity compared with regional countries.
In addition, technological advances are expected to reduce the number of workers required in the industry.
According to Nguyen Duc Thuan, Chairman of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso), Vietnamese companies will face intense competition from rivals in the same industry in the future.
Lefaso vice Chairwoman Phan Thi Thanh Xuan stated that enhancing productivity by employing new management methods and technologies could double the sector’s growth.