AsemconnectVietnam - Vietnam will post a trade surplus of $2 billion up to the end of November this year, with exports rising faster than imports and on track for a third straight surplus year, a state-run newspaper said on Wednesday.

Exports in the January-November period rose 13.7 percent from a year ago to an estimated $137 billion, while imports increased 12.6 percent in the same period to $135 billion, the Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper said, cited government data.

Companies with foreign direct investment posted a surplus estimated at $15.5 billion in the 11-month period, while domestic firms registered a deficit of $13.5 billion, the report said.

The government is expected to release full trade data for the 11-month period later this week.

The government has revised up its estimate of Vietnam's trade surplus this year to $1.5 billion, from $0.5 billion forecast earlier, with exports rising 12.1 percent from 2013 to $148 billion and imports up 11 percent at $146.5 billion.

Vietnam's trade surplus last year edged up to $860 million from a surplus of $780 million in 2012.

Source: Reuters