Workers make wooden cupboards at the Kaiser Vietnam Wood Industry Co factory in Binh Duong Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Quach Lam

HCM CITY — Trade surplus in the southern province of Binh Duong reached US$591 million in the first quarter.

Exported goods were worth a total of $4.22 billion in value, an annual increase of 15.6 per cent. The foreign-invested sector contributed 81.8 per cent to the sum, up 16 per cent from 2014.

Major exports maintained momentum, including woodwork products, apparel, footwear, handicrafts and electronic devices.

Meanwhile, Binh Duong imported $3.63 billion worth of commodities, a 15.5 per cent rise compared to the same period last year. The foreign sector accounted for 79.2 per cent of total import value.

According to the provincial People's Committee, State initiatives to clear business hurdles took effect in Q1, with enterprises recording strong and stable operations.

Most businesses have already signed goods contracts for the second quarter, while some larger companies have completed deals for the third quarter.

Binh Duong recorded Q1 industrial production value of almost VND50 trillion ($235.3 million), up 11.2 per cent year on year.

Binh Duong, together with Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Long An, and Tien Giang provinces, and HCM City, from Viet Nam's southern economic region. — VNS