Enterprises self- renovate to promote exports to the Central region

Form and develop modern logistics centers associated with seaports, airports, and border gates. Photo: ST

Trade promotion looking for partners

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in recent times, the North Central and Central Coast regions have always maintained high growth rates and strong economic restructuring. In 2023, the entire region's import-export turnover reached more than 46.7 billion USD, down more than 2.4 billion USD compared to 2022 due to the general impact of the difficult global foreign trade context.

The strategic industrial and agricultural sectors in the North Central and Central Coast regions include semiconductor industry, chip manufacturing and design, coastal industry, marine tourism, maritime economy. In addition, marine energy industry, especially renewable energy of coastal wind and offshore wind is highly paid attention to. The commercial sector is promoted in a modern direction, applying advanced technology to meet market requirements and international integration. Modern logistics centers associated with seaports, airports, and border gates are established and put in to operation.

However, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the region is facing problems such as: the region's economic growth is still lower than the set target. The marine economy has not yet had a breakthrough. The operational efficiency of coastal economic zones, industrial parks, and industrial clusters has not changed much, and has not been able to maximize the advantages of other economic infrastructure such as airports and seaports.

From a local perspective, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee Le Quang Nam said that Da Nang holds a key position in politics, economics, culture, society, security and defense of the Central- Central Highland region and the dynamic economic region of the Central region in particular; At the same time, it is an important gateway to the sea from the Central Highlands and some countries to Northeast Asia through the East - West Economic Corridor. Regarding import and export activities, Da Nang has export markets through more than 120 countries and territories; There are over 500 enterprises participating in export, of which, more than 100 enterprises have regular import and export activities with key products.

Amid current economic difficulties and unrecovered market demands, Vietnamese enterprises in general and import-export enterprises in particular are still facing many difficulties in production and business, finding partners, orders. Therefore, organizing trade connection activities between suppliers in the Central - Central Highlands region with export enterprises and trade promotion organizations is a practical action.

How to increase presence in the distribution system?

Mr. Satoshi Nishikawa, Senior Executive Director of the Northern and Central Region - AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd. said that the group identified Vietnam as the second key market after Japan in its investment promotion strategy and business development. Currently, AEON is entering the second phase of development with a plan to accelerate scale expansion and promote business activities in Vietnam. One of the group's development focuses in Vietnam is to accelerate the expansion of the supermarket system with a diverse and flexible business model, suitable to the needs and actual conditions of each region.

Mr. Satoshi Nishikawa informed that AEON will open its first supermarket in the Central region of Vietnam, in Hue city in September. At the same time, it is looking for suitable suppliers. As a bridge between consumers and suppliers, AEON regularly cooperates with relevant Government agencies to promote Vietnamese specialty products into AEON's supply chain, not only in Vietnam but also in the many different markets in which AEON operates.

To become an AEON supplier, Mr. Satoshi Nishikawa said, manufacturing units need to meet 6 minimum requirements as there has never been a scandal regarding product quality; The supplier's factory and products are certified according to Vietnamese regulations; Transportation vehicles and product containers are suitable to product requirements and in accordance to Vietnamese regulations on potential sources of pollution and origin traceability; Comply with regulations on the use of plant protection drugs, veterinary drugs, antibiotics, food additives/food processing aids.

To increase product consumption efficiency and import and export turnover, Deputy Director of the Domestic Market Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Bui Nguyen Anh Tuan said that production units and localities must perform well in production, distribution ensures the supply of agricultural products to meet the requirements of each market; focus on expanding and developing the consumer market, including programs to connect domestic supply and demand, free trade agreement negotiation programs to create favorable conditions on tariffs, origin...; need to develop chains linked to consumption; accelerate the implementation of "big fields"; Focus on processing and building agricultural product brands; Continuously implement trade promotion programs; Localities research more policies to promote the construction of distribution systems and chains of domestic product consumption.

Mr. Tran Quoc Toan, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that in the coming time, the Import-Export Department will continue to perfect mechanisms and policies to create a transparent, fair, and transparent business environment and equality for businesses. In addition, the Department will coordinate and submit to the Government to develop strategies for industries and fields such as milk, paper, steel, automobiles, electricity, logistics services... Promulgate regulations to amend and supplement documents to facilitate manufacturing and import-export businesses. Unlock production and develop stable supply for export as well as serve the domestic market. Provide timely and realistic information about market trends to businesses; Focus on promoting export promotion to potential markets; Accelerate negotiations on new FTAs...

In the current context, export enterprises must quickly and strongly convert to official export. To do that, businesses must meet the requirements of food safety, traceability... to build and consolidate sustainable export market in the coming time. For businesses in the Central region, they must strengthen regional links to have enough quantity and quality to meet the standards and quantity of export orders and distribution systems such as supermarkets. Besides, it is necessary to update export knowledge and improve the competitiveness of the enterprise itself.