Webinar helps mask exporters understand more about EU, US rules
A webinar co-held by the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on May 4 answered questions from producers regarding the EU and the US’s rules on the import of face masks and medical equipment.
Workers are making anti-bacterial cloth masks at a factory of the Chien Thang Garment JSC
Hanoi (VNA) - A webinar co-held by the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association(VITAS) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on May 4 answered questionsfrom producers regarding the EU and the US’s rules on the import of face masksand medical equipment.
COVID-19has severely damaged the garment and textile industry, VITAS Vice PresidentTruong Van Cam said, with exports in the first four months of this year totalling10.64 billion USD, down 6.6 percent year-on-year.
Thesector seems likely to experience further damage in May and June as most ordersare cancelled or postponed, he added.
In thewake of the pandemic ravaging the globe, many producers have shifted from garmentsto cloth and anti-bacterial face masks for domestic and foreign markets inorder to keep production going and to minimise losses, said Tran Thanh Hai,Deputy Director of the MoIT’s Agency of Foreign Trade.
FromJanuary 1 to April 19, Vietnam exported 415.7 million protective masks, mostlyto Japan, the Republic of Korea, Germany, the US, and Singapore, earning 63.19million USD.
To exportmasks to the EU and the US, Vietnamese firms must obtain a CE marking and FDAcertification, respectively, which indicate that a product meets theappropriate safety and environmental protection standards.
As manyproducers have found the process of applying for CE and FDA approval to be disconcerting,the webinar provided them with basic knowledge on quality standards and how to meetthem./.
The garment industry was suffering an unprecedented crisis due to COVID-19, but the pandemic also brought significant opportunities for Vietnam to become the world’s face mask factory.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has approved the export of medical face masks and protective clothing, as long as domestic demand, including reserves, is met first.
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The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
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Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Outcomes of ABAC III will shape ABAC’s final policy recommendations to be submitted to the ABAC-APEC leaders’ dialogue, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea this November.
This is the second year the magazine has released the ranking, which is based on total revenue and key financial indicators of enterprises from seven countries in the region: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
At the summit, publishing, tech, and media sectors will discuss emerging trends, business models, and sustainable solutions for digital publishing development in Vietnam.
This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22.
According to NordCham Vietnam Chairman Thue Quist Thomasen, the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses to contribute to green and sustainable growth.
The analysis from an investment perspective shows that the economy’s growth has been heavily capital‑driven, yet efficiency remains low as reflected by Vietnam’s Incremental Capital-Output Ratio (ICOR) being significantly higher than global and regional averages. This underscores the imperative to enhance capital‑use efficiency.
Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha urged countries to work together to remove supply chain bottlenecks, expand market access, strengthen cooperation in smart customs procedures, mutually recognise technical standards, and eliminate unnecessary protectionist barriers to boost trade and investment.
Workers are making anti-bacterial cloth masks at a factory of the Chien Thang Garment JSC
