Vietnam is estimated to ship abroad nearly 19.8 million tons of coal worth 628 million U.S. dollars in the first nine months of this year, posting respective year-on- year surges of 68.3 percent and 38 percent, according to a local trade agency on Friday.

The country plans to increase export tax on coal to 3 percent from the current zero percent, aiming to ensure sufficient supply of the material for domestic industries, mainly electricity, paper, fertilizer and cement, said the Trade Information Center under the Trade Ministry.

Recently, the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment has asked the government to reduce coal exports in the 2006-2010 period.

Last year, Vietnam exported roughly 17.9 million tons of coal valued at 658 million dollars to over 20 countries and regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Brazil and the European Union, respectively up 53.8 percent and 85. 2 percent, according to the country's General Statistics Office.

Source: Xinhua