Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – Vietnamese firms should foster
their imports of raw materials from the United Kingdom (UK) to enjoy
preferential tariffs brought by the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA),
trade experts have suggested.

According to experts, the UK can be a source of quality raw
materials for Vietnam especially because raw materials that Vietnam needs to
import for export production or domestic consumption are items that Vietnam
offers preferential tariffs to the UK.

Under the trade deal, Vietnam commits to eliminate 48.5% of
tariff lines from January 1, 2021; 91.8% of tariff lines from January 1, 2027
and 98.3% of tariff lines from January 1, 2029.

The remaining 1.7% of tariff lines are partially liberalised
through tariff rate quotas (the quota volumes are consistent with Vietnam’s WTO
commitments and duties within quotas will be removed by 2031) or not entitled
to preferential treatment.

Typically, 61% of tariff lines for machinery and appliances
imported from the UK have been removed since January 1, 2021, while import
tariffs for all other products will be eliminated after nine years.

For pharmaceutical products, Vietnam has eliminated 71% of
tariff lines from January 1, 2021. All other products will have import taxes
eliminated after four to six years.

Meanwhile, the Southeast Asian nation has lifted 80% of tariff
lines imposed on raw materials for textiles, garments and footwear from January
1, 2021, while that of all other products will be eliminated after four to six
years.

Statistics from the General Department of Customs revealed that Vietnam
imported nearly 373 million USD worth of goods from the UK, equivalent to the
same period in 2022.

Among staples recording high growth rate included seafood raw
materials (233%); iron and steel products (95%); fabrics (72%); plastic
products (15%) and machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts (6.4%).

According to the department, items that accounted for a large
proportion of Vietnam’s import turnover from the UK in H1 included machinery,
equipment, tools, and spare parts (24%); pharmaceuticals (11.8%); chemicals
(6.4%); textile, garment, leather, and shoe raw materials (5.2%); seafood and
seafood materials 4.6%.

These above-mentioned goods are what Vietnam needs to import for
export production and domestic consumption.

A recent survey by Vietnam Report, a market research company in Vietnam,
showed that a top priority among Vietnamese businesses is to diversify their
supply sources, especially for imported raw materials.

According to the report, 72.7% of all participants said they
want to seek out new suppliers at lower prices and they want to do so in the
near future./.