Chemicals

Market Overview

Vietnam has a history of heavy industry, but competitiveness has been poor due to obsolescent technology and infrastructure. The annual import market for chemicals is approximately US$ 200 million, mainly lower-quality products from producers and traders in Singapore, Korea and China; these are used as feedstock and for other industrial uses.Domestic production is increasing, with some foreign investment. Throughout the 1990s, annual growth rates were recorded at around 20%, although the sector remains modest by comparison to neighbouring countries. Vietnamese chemical manufacturers produce a limited range of products, and in many sectors (organic, synthetic and oil products) are unable to compete with much cheaper imports. Tariffs remain high, although will be affected in the next decade by Vietnam's commitments under the ASEAN FTA.

Opportunities

As Vietnam develops domestic production, opportunities will arise in equipment and services supply. A five year master plan has been approved for the chemical industry, with estimated investment of US$ 2 billion, including targets for production of urea, NPK, DAP and phosphate. State-owned Vinachem has been allocated US$ 1 billion to execute a major part of the plan with new plants and upgraded facilities to produce new petrochemicals for the plastics and textile industries. Remaining investment will be from private or foreign sources.

Some major projects offering opportunities to Canadian suppliers include subcontracting for the first oil refinery plant in the central province Quang Ngai; a second oil refinery has recently been approved; the US$ 492 million fertilizer plant in a gas-power-fertilizer complex at Ca Mau and US $ 445 million Phu My urea plant in Vung Tau. Shortages in domestic fertilizer production, particularly commodities such as urea and potash, have presented good opportunities for Canadian fertilizer exporters. Canadian companies have also supplier specialty chemicals to other emerging sectors, such as steel.

Market Access Considerations

Foreign-invested producers tend to import machines and equipment from their countries of origin. Procurement by state-owned companies of more than US$ 130,000 require tendering, but the process is far from transparent; success is only realistically possible through strong local connections, which can be built through a local representative.Again, tariffs are high and this is a price-sensitive market. Exporters should consider financial ability of local importers, many state-owned, which could result in payment issues.

Competition

Major exporters of machinery and equipment to Vietnam are Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Germany. Industrial petrochemicals are supplied to a large extent by refineries in US, Singapore and the Middle East. Domestic producers-especially foreign invested-are also major competitors. Germany, Korea and Japan are major suppliers of tanning chemicals.

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