Japan was Vietnam’s biggest plastic importer fetching almost US$74 million. It was followed by the US with more than US$58 million and Cambodia with over US$23 million.

Despite high export value, many plastic manufacturers are facing difficulties due to their heavy dependence on imported materials. At present, the plastic industry needs around 1.5 million tonnes of materials per year while the domestic supply can meet only 30 percent of its demand.

To fulfill the US$1 billion plastic export target this year, the Ministry of Industry and Trade called on plastic manufacturers to fully tap the domestic material sources and invest in renewing production technology to raise their product quality and competitiveness.

Apart from the Republic of Korea, Australia, France, Malaysia and other traditional markets, plastic producers should increase trade promotion activities in other European Union member countries, including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Poland, as well as African and Middle East nations, the ministry said.