Exports to Middle East hit US$4.2 billion

Exports to key Middle East markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iraq, brought in US$4.2 billion to Vietnam last year.

Exports to key Middle East markets, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iraq, brought in US$4.2 billion to Vietnam last year. 
The figure represents an increase of 65 percent over 2011, Vietnam Customs reports.

The UAE continued to be the largest consumer of Vietnamese goods in the region, with imports reaching US$2 billion.

It was followed by Turkey with US$850 million and Saudi Arabia with US$597 million.

Vietnam’s key exports to the region include cell phones and spare parts (earning US$1.5 billion), fiber (US$340 million), seafood (US$218 million), computer and electronic products (US$160 million) and garments (US$136 million).

According to the African, West and South Asian Markets Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, some big economies in the Middle East have regained growth momentum, while the UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Israel have had stable political and social environments, facilitating trade cooperation and investment.