Central region advised to tap EU market

Processing textile goods for export in Marport textile and garment company in the northern province of Thai Binh. The company's products are mainly exported to US, Japan and EU markets.-  Photo Ha Thai

The seminar, held by MUTRAP III in Hue City last Friday, sought to equip businesses in the region with knowledge on regulations regarding exporting goods to the EU market, opportunities to export garment and textiles, and the types of seafood preferred in the EU market.

MUTRAP III is a multilateral trade assistance project (3rd-phase) implemented by the European Commission to help Viet Nam prepare for, carry out and follow up on WTO membership obligations and opportunities.

Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Export and Processing (VASEP), said the EU market preferred salmon, tropical shrimp, tuna fillet, tilapia, and catfish.

Several central provinces are engaged in mass production of shrimp and ro phi fish, and they also have great potential for offshore tuna fishing.

Hoe told the seminar that demand for seafood in EU countries was on the rise and they would accept new types of seafood without much difficulty. He encouraged businesses in the provinces to convince customers with clear product origin, evidence showing the products are safe for human health, are being produced in a sustainable way.

Le Van Dao, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Textile and Garment Association said exports had shown an encouraging upward trend in the last few months, and the EU market was demanding textile products in three segments – woven fabric, sleeping wear items and undergarments.

But he recommended that businesses in the central region familiarise themselves with EU import regulations to avoid future difficulties and losses.

Details of taxation, free tariffs, declaration of origin and packaging requirements for the EU market were also mentioned by Nguyen Can Cuong, deputy director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's EU Market Division.