Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Thu said the trade deficit is expected to hit US$9 billion in 2007, accounting for 18.8 percent of export value. Value of imported goods which can be produced at home such as motorbike spare parts, finished steel and animal food remains high.

To cope with the situation, Deputy PM Hai urged the MIT, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to impose strict measures to control the trade deficit while analysing export markets and strengthening trade promotion in potential markets.