Vietnamese furniture manufacturers urged to consider Saudi Arabia as potentially strong export destination, as region is boosting infrastructure and relies heavily on imports for wooden furniture

Aimee Bellah

HO CHI MINH CITY, Veitnam , June 25, 2014 (Vietnam News Agency) – Vietnamese firms are eyeing a good chance of exporting construction materials and interior decor items to Saudi Arabia, the largest Middle East country which is widely swept by infrastructure ramp-ups, an official from the Vietnam Trade Office in Saudi Arabia told participants at a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on June 25.

Experts noted that Saudi Arabia, which imposes a 5 percent tariff on all imports, is turning to new emerging markets, including Vietnam. It is even better that investors are free from personal income tax and value-added tax there.

To meet growing construction demand, the country needs nearly 60 million tonnes of cement and 25 million tonnes of iron and steel annually.

Head of the African, West and South Asian Market Department Tran Quang Huy said almost all the Middle East countries are much reliant on imports, especially wood and wooden furniture because of their hot and dry climate.

To better tap the market, he asked Vietnamese enterprises to focus on surveying consumer habits and selling quality products there.

Contacting construction contractors to seek business deals is also a good idea, he said./.

(c) 2014 Viet Nam News, Vietnam News Agency

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