Since the beginning of this year, Vietnam has earned US$12.8 billion from exporting garments and textiles, one of its spearhead economic sectors.

The industry will have even greater opportunities when Vietnam signs pending trade deals like the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement because the EU is one of the sector’s crucial markets.

When the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement is signed and delivers a gradual reduction of tariffs, Vietnamese exporters can increase their market share in the US, Vietnam’s top garments and textiles importer at the moment.

The free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which was signed in late May and has already taken effect, could help Vietnam increase the export value of its garment products by 50% in the first year and 20% annually in succeeding years.

Nguyen Minh Hoa, a representative of the DHA Garment Export Company, told VOV that the company “has enlisted many steps such as studying products relevant to different markets and choose channels to buy raw materials for items that meet the standards of quality and origin.”

Le Tien Truong, Director General of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group, said finding new markets will allow businesses to increase export revenues and market share, strengthen their position in traditional markets, and be more likely to achieve the US$28.5 billion target set for this year.

Truong clarified the industry’s prospects ahead of the free trade deal with the Eurasian Economic Union that “the Eurasian Economic Union imports goods worth US$13 billion a year. Last year Vietnam earned only US$320 million from selling its garments and textiles to the EEU, accounting for just 2%. If the agreement’s benefits of reduced tariffs and simpler customs procedures are maximized, Vietnam can increase its market share there to 10% in the next 5 years.”

Along with the top of opportunities have come challenges - an increase in compulsory rules and required trade, services, investment, and intellectual property commitments. Dang Kim Dung, Secretary General of the Vietnam Garments and Textiles Association, suggested a way to overcome obstacles and prepare for the integration:

“We call on domestic and foreign enterprises to identify weak elements and strengthen internal chain links among garment companies and material manufacturers to make the most of each other’s products. This will allow us to meet the origin requirements of FTAs and the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement.”

To take full advantage of the trade deals, garment enterprises should invest in technology and improve designs, patterns, and quality to gain a firm foothold in the international market.