Of the figure, the export of foreign-invested businesses (excluding crude oil) was 11 billion USD, up 27.5%, according to the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).
In February, the country’s export reached US$7.5 billion, down 34.6% from the previous month and 9.2% year-on-year due to the nine-day long Lunar New Year festival.
Mobile phones and bags were the largest foreign currency earners during the period.
The MoIT’s statistics also showed that Vietnam enjoyed a two-month trade surplus of over US$1.67 billion, equivalent to 8.8% of the total export turnover.
The country saw trade deficits in Asian markets, including China (US$2.8 billion), ASEAN (US$195.6 million), the Republic of Korea (US$1.62 billion), and Taiwan (US$1.03 billion).
To fulfill 2013 export targets, the MoIT will focus on attracting investment to support industries and simplifying administrative procedures relating the grant of certificate of origin (C/O).
It will work hard to expand export markets and improve forecasts on domestic and foreign markets while stepping up border trade activities.
According to MoIT Deputy Minister Ho Thi Kim Thoa, the ministry will speed up trade promotion activities to help local businesses seek more partners.
