HA NOI (VNS)— Demand for natural rubber is expected to increase, Tran Thi Thuy Hoa, General-Secretary of the Viet Nam Rubber Association (VRA), said.

She was speaking at a recent conference on sustainable rubber development in southern Binh Phuoc Province.

The conference drew the participation of more than 550 delegates from relevant ministries, departments, institutions, groups and associations.

According to Hoa, the rubber growing areas have developed quickly thanks to high rubber prices in foreign markets.

To meet the rising demand, the industry needs to further expand growing areas and ensure the quality of products, she said.

According to the VRA, Viet Nam is now the third-largest exporter of natural rubber in the world behind Thailand and Indonesia, with its output bouncing up to 1.01 million tonnes last year – an increase of 23.8 per cent from 2011.-VNS