Market connection - numerous business needs and industry associations

DNHN - To promote exports, numerous businesses and industry associations have proposed solutions such as supporting the implementation of trade promotion, connecting trade, and disseminating market information, particularly regarding the Chinese market.

The report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade indicates that the export turnover of goods was estimated at 79.17 billion USD in the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of 11.9% compared to the same period (an increase of 14.4% in the same period); in which the domestic business sector decreased more sharply (down 17.4%) compared to the foreign-invested sector (down 10%), illustrating the difficulties domestic enterprises face in recovering.

According to Ms To Tuong Lan, Vice President of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, seafood exports fell sharply in March across all markets, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for The Pacific (CPTPP), which fell by 23.5%, the United States, which fell by 55%, the European Union, which fell by 30%, and the Chinese market, which fell by at least 11%. The cause was determined by three factors: inflation, the United States banking crisis, and the tightening of credit, which prevented importers from importing large quantities of goods. The partner's reorganisation of the warehouse caused the export price to plummet. Alongside this is fierce market competition; the rapid expansion of several competitors has eroded the market share of Vietnamese seafood in numerous major markets.

According to the Trade Promotion Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), one of the solutions implemented since the start of this year to increase export activities is a focus on solutions to assist localities, associations, and businesses in implementing export promotion activities. Trade promotion activities for key markets, particularly exploitation of markets/regions with which Vietnam currently has FTAs. Concurrently, coordinate with units under the Ministry to directly implement trade promotion activities to open up new and potential markets in which businesses have not yet directly implemented trade promotion activities, such as regional markets in Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

To promote exports, numerous businesses and industry associations have proposed solutions such as supporting the implementation of trade promotion, connecting trade, and disseminating market information, particularly regarding the Chinese market.

According to a representative of the Food Association, businesses desire assistance to participate in numerous overseas trade promotion programmes and major international fairs to promote their products more broadly and increase brand awareness. Vietnam's agricultural products, especially its processed food brands. Presently, Vietnam's agricultural products are very diverse and well-known throughout the world, but the country's processed goods do not have many well-known brands. Therefore, a trade promotion programme for processed agricultural brands is required.

Mr Nguyen Thanh Huan, Deputy Director of the An Giang Department of Industry and Trade, is hopeful that, shortly, the An Giang Department of Industry and Trade will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, particularly the European - European Market Department. The United States implements the Phase 2 Project through the following activities: Coordinating with the European - American Market Department and the Vietnam Trade Office in France to organise a conference to welcome a delegation of French supermarkets into the province to survey and learn about the production and export situation of the province, connecting and cooperating with businesses in the province, with the specific objective of supporting the province's fresh/frozen fruit and vegetable production. Continue to coordinate with the European-American Market Department to introduce the principal products of pangasius and fresh/frozen vegetables and fruits to ensure eligibility to participate in the Vietnam Week Programme at domestic distribution networks. outside; connecting and supporting provincial businesses to display and introduce Vietnam's Goods Week programmes according to regulations, to bring at least one key product of the province to continue to be added to the European supermarket system...

Ms Doan Thu Ha, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lang Son province, presented the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade with several proposals, including suggesting that the government direct and prioritise synchronous investment in border infrastructure to create regional dynamics and trade links at the border. Suggest that the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development prioritise the implementation of the plan to consume and export agricultural products nationwide from the start of the year onward so that we can have access to the most important plans and solutions. more proactive as well as timely orientations and recommendations for farmers as well as businesses operating in the agricultural sector from direct production to processing, consumption, and export; balance the problem of production scale and market's consumption capacity, further increase the value of agricultural production; as well as minimising the excess demand for goods, creating great pressure on consumption during the season, and having appropriate orientations on securing agricultural production. Which is associated with local implementation and coordination responsibilities; Ministries and sectors provide guidance and support on the ground.

Suggest that the Ministry of Industry and Trade continue to pay attention to directing the Trade Office and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Office in China to regularly exchange and connect information on policies and orientations for international trade development; regulations of the Chinese side on agricultural products imported across the land border for localities and business communities in the country, especially localities with border gates and supporting activities, resulting in between enterprises of the two sides in import and export activities.

Phuong Oanh