Nghe An: Goods export turnover increased by nearly 75%.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the totalexport turnoverIn 2021, the estimated value reached over US$2.4 billion, an increase of 59.7% compared to 2020, exceeding the plan by 101% (US$1.2 billion). Of this, merchandise exports reached US$2.097 billion, an increase of 74.7% compared to 2020, exceeding the plan by 130.4%; foreign exchange earnings from labor export and tourism services reached US$315 million, an increase of 1.6% compared to 2020.

Many items saw significant export growth, most notably the increase in exports of processed industrial goods such as:Phone componentsThere was a dramatic increase of more than 17 times compared to 2020; Building materials increased by 87%; Textiles increased by 34.9%; Plastic additive granules increased by 39%; Textile fibers of all kinds increased by 75.7%; Ultra-fine white limestone powder increased by 19.3%; and Paving stones increased by 76.4%.

Export turnover of textile fibers and yarns increased by 75.7%. In the photo: yarn production line at Hoang Loan Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company. Photo: Thu Huyen

Several agricultural products also experienced strong growth, specifically: seafood increased by 170% compared to the same period in 2020; cassava starch increased by 113.5%; and peanuts increased 5.5 times compared to the same period in 2020.

In 2021, the export market expanded towards diversification and effectively utilized the markets of FTAs. Nghe An businesses exported to approximately 125 countries and territories worldwide, with export turnover to some key markets including: the largest export market being China, reaching US$495 million, accounting for about 23.6% of total turnover; followed by Hong Kong at US$268 million (12.8%); South Korea at US$231 million (11%); the United States at US$186.6 million (11%); and European countries at US$347 million (16.5%).

Some new export markets this year include: East Timor, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Marshall Islands, and Luxembourg.

Import turnover in 2021 is estimated to reach 950.2 million USD, an increase of 13.09% compared to 2020.

The main imported items are textile raw materials, leather and footwear, telephone components, petroleum products, machinery and equipment, various types of steel, and other raw materials for production. Import activities have increased due to the expansion of production sectors, with businesses seeking to import goods, raw materials, supplies, and components as inputs to ensure stable production.

Unloading goods at Cua Lo port. Photo: Thu Huyen

Mr. Pham Van Hoa, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, stated: In 2021, the province's import and export activities were truly a bright spot in the development of the service sector. To achieve these results, despite the complex developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, the province actively created favorable conditions to support businesses and investors in overcoming difficulties and maintaining stable operations. The province focused on closely monitoring the situation in each market to review and identify the types of goods that countries are in need of importing, in order to exploit and promote exports; and innovated and organized trade promotion programs, connecting supply and demand both domestically and internationally through online platforms.

The province also focuses on implementing the following:free trade agreementIn general, especially with new generation free trade agreements such as CPTPP, EVFTA, and UKVFTA, the aim is to effectively leverage the benefits of these agreements, thereby maximizing opportunities and mitigating challenges arising from them.