In the first four months of the year, Vietnam's garment and textile exports are estimated to have exceeded US$2.6 billion, mainly to the US, EU and Japan, up 24.5% year-on-year.

　　In order to achieve the annual garment production growth target of 16-18% and export growth of 20% in 2008-2010, Vietnamese garment and textile producers have increased their investment in purchasing advanced equipment and technology, launched more net wool design programmes, demanded more raw material supplies and improved management, according to the Vietnam Textile and Garment Association.

　　According to a national plan to develop the local industry, Vietnam's garment and textile industry will achieve a value of US$14.8 billion in 2010, US$22.5 billion in 2015 and US$31 billion in 2020. Vietnam aims to achieve US$25 billion in garment exports by 2020.

　　In 2007, Vietnam's garment and textile export earnings reached US$7.8 billion, up 34.5 per cent compared to 2006. Last year, it is estimated that Vietnam's garment and textile export revenue to the US reached US$4.5 billion.

　　While Vietnam's garment and textile exports are strong, there are also textile companies such as Thanh Cong Textile & Garment - Investment - Trade Joint Stock Company (TCM), listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, which plans to expand into real estate and securities brokerage.

　　Last week, Dinh Cong Hung, the company's president, announced at a shareholders' meeting that the construction of Thanh Cong Castle Apartments would begin with a 10,000 square metre site in Tan Phu, Ho Chi Minh City, with construction starting before June.

　　At the same time, the construction of the 6.4 hectare Thanh Cong 2 castle in Tan Phu is scheduled to begin next year. This will include housing, a vocational training school, a conference centre, business buildings and a cultural centre. Other residential projects are in progress.

　　In May, Thanh Cong Securities will become a trading member of the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.

　　The company intends to issue 10 million freely convertible bonds with a face value of VND100,000 (US$6.20) to raise funds for this year's real estate projects.