Participation of SMEs in Vietnam's Exports : An Evaluation from RCA Perspective, 1985-2010
摘要
In view of evaluating the contribution of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Vietnam’s exports, the paper studies the export structure focusing on sectors with high SME participation for 1985-2010 using the RCA index. We find that (i) exports have largely concentrated in some agricultural commodities (rice, coffee, spices) and seafood commodities (crustaceans, shrimps); yarn and textile products; raw materials and some manufactured goods (rubber, wood products, furniture, electric machines); (ii) crude oils have maintained both competitiveness and leading position in exports over the decades; (iii) garment and footwear products have gained competitiveness and occupied a crucial position the country’s exports since mid-1990s; and (iv) trade diversification occurs, but the degree is rather moderate. In the new SME development plan, the government aims to promote SME participation in such export sectors as agro-processing, seafood, and textile and garment industries in the next five years. Hence, sound development and trade policies are essential to promote sectors with comparative advantage, and thereby move to more capital-intensive industries and higher value added commodities in the longer term.