HA NOI ?Viet Nam? garment manufacturers are anticipated to post revenue of US$1.37 billion from exports in the first quarter of the year, a 40 per cent year-on-year increase, reported the Ministry of Trade (MoT).
The ministry expected that this month's sales alone may reach $500 million.
Chairman of the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association said the positive performance growth was triggered by a rebound from the US and EU markets.
"Viet Nam has started seeing a light recovery from last year's forth quarter, when the two major global importers started moves to rein in skyrocketing export growth of clothing from China," An said.
An said China's exports impacted negatively on Viet Nam? garment exports, as they were a large global competitor.
According to the MoT, the number of clothing exporters to the EU market has grown to more than 600, some 100 higher than during the same period last year.
In addition to best-selling products such as T-shirts and trousers in the US and EU markets, underclothes have recently emerged as a new profitable item for the two markets as well as for markets such as Japan.
The trade ministry said despite shrinking numbers of underwear exporters who now numbered at 150, about one fourth lower than in 2004, goods export turnover jumped 20 per cent to $160 million last year.
Of that figure, underwear exports to Japan recorded a turnover of $68 million, while the American market represented a modest contribution of $15.3 million, after a growth posting of 75 per cent.
Other markets, including South Africa, Uruguay, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates are also proving to be promising sales destinations for the goods, said the MoT.
Director of Dong Tien Garment Joint-stock Company Vu Ngoc Thuan said the firm plans to expand underclothes production workshops with a view to further satisfy international orders, specially from Japanese clients.
