HCMC – Vietnamese textile and garment exporters have been advised to adopt green practices to maintain growth and competitiveness in Canada.
Data from Canada showed that the exports of Vietnamese apparel to the North American country reached US$1.2 billion in 2021, with growth of 40.8% from 2018-2022. The revenue could swell to US$1.5 billion this year, backed by the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
However, Tran Thu Quynh, commercial counselor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Canada, said apparel firms need to develop carbon emission reduction strategies, adopt a circular production model, use recyclable materials and practice energy efficiency if they want to sustain their export growth.
They also need to stay updated with new certificate systems in the industry and comply with buyers’ report requirements, the Vietnam News Agency cited Quynh as saying.
She added that the trade office is advertising Vietnamese firms’ abilities to produce apparel under the circular production model and introducing companies with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certificates to Canadian importers.
On average, Canada produces 60,000 tons of textile waste every year, the third-largest source of plastic waste in the North American country, after packaging and old cars.
To reduce C02 emissions and plastic waste, Canada is oriented toward sustainably developing the textile and garment sector under the circular production model, forcing Vietnamese clothing exporters to strive for green and sustainable development, Quynh noted.
As the Covid-19 pandemic had been brought under control, Canada’s import demand for textile and garment products strongly rebounded over 2021.
Insiders held that there is great scope for Vietnamese firms to expand their business in the market. Currently, Vietnam is the second-largest textile and garment exporter to Canada.
