Shortage Of Construction Glass In Vietnam

Vietnam will face a shortage of around 10M sq.m. of construction glass in 2005, forecasts the Ministry of Construction. The country will need approximately 90M sq.m. while the total annual capacity of glass factories is currently only 80M sq.m. Demand is also expected to rise to 110M squ.m. by 2006. The Ministry blamed the future shortage on rapid increase in domestic demand and financial difficulties facing projects to build or expand glass factories. It also cited smuggling and trade frauds, which accounted for around 40% of last year's total imports of 10.2M squ.m., as factors hindering investment in glass production.