Hanoi exports to ASEAN down

Hanoi exports to ASEAN down

HANOI (Dow Jones): Vietnam's exports to ASEAN countries as a
percentage of overall exports will fall next year as rice sales
to Indonesia and the Philippines decline, the Vietnam Industry
Times newspaper said Thursday.

It added though that export growth to other countries will
increase on the back of strong oil sales to Australia and greater
exports to the U.S. - assuming Hanoi signs a bilateral deal with
Washington soon.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Phan Van Khai announced early
Thursday the government has targeted 10.5 percent to 11.0 percent
export growth next year.

According to the Vietnam Industry Times report, that growth
will rely heavily on sales to Russia and the European Union if a
bilateral deal isn't signed with the U.S.

Hanoi in July penned a provisional trade treaty with
Washington that will add an estimated 10 percent to the country's
annual export earnings if finalized.