According to the latest figures released by the General Statistics Office, the Vietnamese leather sector exported goods worth $1.73 billion during the first five months of 2007 (January to May) compared with $1.565 billion in the same period last year.

Whilst leather footwear exports—which reached $1.488 billion during the period—accounted for the overwhelming majority of exports, increasing 9.33% from $1.361 billion, other goods including handbags, wallets, suitcases and umbrellas showed a more significant improvement, rising 18.63% to $242 million from $204 million.