HANOI, October 14 (RIA Novosti) - Trade between Russia and Vietnam totaled $704.2 million during the first eight months of 2005, up 30% year-on-year, Russia's trade representative in Vietnam Alexander Sitnikov said Friday.
Russian exports to Vietnam during the period totaled $553 million. Exports of technical goods to Vietnam tripled year-on-year, while metal exports increased by 50%.
Sitnikov said there had been a substantial growth in Vietnamese exports into the Russian market this year. Total exports totaled 151.6 million during the period, up 32.7% year-on-year. Vietnamese textile and clothing exports to Russia grew 98%, shoes 11.5%, food products 150%, and coffee by 438%.
Russia's share of Vietnam's foreign trade remains low at 1.6%, considering the willingness of and possibilities for both sides, he said.
However, trade between the countries could grow in the near future due to new contacts and channels for cooperation, he said.
