Vietnam’s footwear boasts competitive edges in few decadesDespite challenges, Vietnam’s leather and footwear sector will still have a competitive edge for the next two decades, according to Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO) Diep Thanh Kiet. During the Vietnam Footwear Summit held in Ho Chi Minh City on March 21, Kiet said Vietnam has moved up to the second place globally in leather and footwear exports and third in manufacturing. Last year, Vietnam earned more than 18 billion USD from leather exports, 16.4 billion USD of which was leather footwear, up 12 percent annually. Duncan Scott of New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc, said countries moving up the value chain could stop making footwear and those continuing to make footwear would need “sophistication”. John Graebin from US footwear company Deckers Brands said more and more automation solutions will be used, and that is an opportunity for Vietnam to compete for decades to come.-VNA

Source: VietNamNet News March 22, 2018 03:56 UTC