Vietnam exported about 8.2 million tons of coal in the first half of 2005, up 41.8 percent year-on- year, the country's Trade Ministry reported Wednesday.

Its coal export revenue was up 94.3 percent to 308 million US dollars during this period.

An official of the ministry attributed the rises in both value and volume partly to higher demand of China and Japan, which always contribute more than 60 percent to Vietnam's coal export revenue.

Vietnam shipped abroad more than 10.6 million tons of coal valued at 319 million dollars last year, posting year-on-year increases of 46.8 percent and 73 percent, respectively, the ministry said.

Source: Xinhua