Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh speaks at a review meeting for 2020 and new tasks for 2021 held on January 7.
Anh announced the results during a review meeting for 2020 and new tasks for 2021 held on January 7.
In 2020, Vietnam exported USD281.5bn worth of goods, an increase of 6.5% compared to 2019. It was among the countries with highest export activities in the world during Covid-19. The export surplus was USD19.1bn.
Import-export revenue reached over USD500bn for the second consecutive year.
"In 2019, the government set an export revenue goal at USD300bn. We were worried because the 2019 revenue was USD264bn. Then we had to face Covid-19 in 2020. Despite the difficulties, export revenue in 2020 reached USD281bn," Anh said.
Firms continued to struggle as supply chains were severed. The value added by industries increased by 3.36%, higher than the global average rate. Negotiations continued for many free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
"Promotional programmes were rolled out in time to cope with Covid-19 era which greatly helped the farmers and firms," he said. "Everyone worked hard to keep prices stable amid the pandemic and natural disasters."
The ministry will continue monitoring the market to develop timely solutions and work more closely with firms in order to meet the goals for 2021.
"Related agencies must follow regulations, major guidelines and orientations of the party," he said.
