The Vietnamese government has approved in principle a scheme allowing foreign-invested enterprises (FIE) involved in glass production and their Vietnamese counterparts to import materials to produce g…
The Vietnamese government has approved in principle a scheme allowing foreign-invested enterprises (FIE) involved in glass production and their Vietnamese counterparts to import materials to produce glass products. However, according to a circular signed by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam on August 25, Vietnamese businesses are only permitted to import materials under subcontract for foreign customers or to produce products for export and not for local sale. The government has delegated the Ministry of Trade to supervise glass imports by FIEs and local businesses, with the volume by the latter being restricted to export contracts or subcontracts they had secured with foreign partners. The government in April brought out regulations banning the import of construction glass of 1.5 to 12 millimetres in a bid to protect local production. However, ministries concerned have proposed materials be imported following petitions by glass subcontractors that they could not afford domestic prices. After glass material imports are permitted, the Vietnam Float Glass Co. said it can supply the goods at world prices for local glass subcontractors.