Vietnam

Vietnamese garment exports to the Middle East and Africa have tripled since 2009, reaching US$117 million in 2013 according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Much of the growth has been driven by the sale of Islamic garments to the region, many of which have a high value-added quality about them, with other broader categories like jeans and tee shirts also making big gains. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are among the biggest buyers of Vietnamese-made clothing in the region. (Fibre2Fashion)

Vietnam is expected to complete negotiations on a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Customs Union countries of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan later this year. The agreement would remove or relax customs regulations, payment policies, and technical regulations for a number of Vietnamese-made garment products entering the union countries. Vietnamese garment exports to Russia grew by 11% last year to reach US$135.6 million and could become one of Vietnam’s top markets if the FTA is finalized. (Vietnam News)