On the evening of November 16, the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association held a conference "Summing up the leather and footwear industry in 2022". Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai attended the conference.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai, attending the Conference on summarizing the leather and footwear industry in 2022

Reporting on the production, import and export of the leather and footwear industry in 2022 and the industry development strategy in 2023, Mr. Diep Thanh Kiet - Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association - said: The current situation in the world is having a great impact on export industries, including the leather and footwear industry. Total export turnover of leather and footwear in September 2022 reached 2 billion USD, down 30% compared to August 2022 (2.6 billion USD).

In general, in the first nine months of 2022, the export turnover of the leather and footwear industry reached 21 billion USD, higher than the whole year of 2021 (20.78 billion USD). Thus, it can be said that the last months of the year exports are affected, but the industry can still achieve the set plan. It is expected that in 2022, export turnover will reach about 25 billion USD.

Mr. Diep Thanh Kiet - Vice Chairman of Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association reported at the conference

According to the Association of Leather, Footwear - Handbags, in 2022, although the leather, footwear and handbag industry has overcome many difficulties and challenges to achieve an impressive export turnover. However, this does not guarantee that the industry will maintain its growth in 2023, because there are many objective factors that adversely affect the growth of the industry. This requires the whole industry and each enterprise to carefully navigate all aspects of their operations to minimize losses and maintain operations during an extremely unpredictable period.

However, from the analysis of experts and delegates at the conference on domestic and international opportunities and challenges in 2023, the Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association has set a target of increasing export turnover in 2023. 6% compared to 2022, reaching about 26.5-27 billion USD.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai speaks at the conference

Speaking at the closing conference, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai highly appreciated the achievements of the Association in recent years, especially in 2020-2021 when the country was affected by the epidemic. However, the Association still maintains production, creates direct jobs for 1.5 million workers and contributes 5-6% of Vietnam's export turnover.

It is forecasted that in 2023, there are still many difficulties, but Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai believes that the Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association will achieve an export turnover of 26.5-27 billion USD as the target.