Hanoi (VNA) – Trade promotion activities contributed to the posiཧtive growth of exports in the first half of this year, said Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

Hai said that trade promotion has been enhanced, with a focus on measures relating to digital transformation to better support exporters in the rapid development of e-commerce. Director of the MoIT’s Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu said that in 2023, under the National Trade Promotion Programme, a total of 121 projects were implemented. This includes more than 80 projects focusing on trade promotion activities for key markets, new markets, potential markets, promoting Vietnam's export capacity in the international market. The projects supported more than 10,000 businesses. Hundreds of contracts, export orders and cooperation agreements were signed directly at trade promotion events with a total value of over 125 million USD. In the first six months of 2024, the MoIT organised six trade promotion conferences with the Vietnam Trade Offices abroad. At the conferences, trade offices, branches, and trade promotion offices in Vietnam have provided details of nearly 180 reports on updating information, and 25 presentations evaluating advantages, opportunities, challenges and risks for import-export activities of Vietnamese enterprises. They updated enterprises with information on regulations, supply, market fluctuations, export orientation, while proposing measures to promote Vietnam's trade and export activities.

The proactive involvement of localities, industry associations, and a large number of businesses has helped such conferences become an effective bridge connecting exporters and the Vietnam Trade Offices abroad. These moves have helped remove obstacles in import-export activities, seize opportunities, promote sustainable export development and effective imports. In the context that importers continue to impose new requirements for international trade, trade promotion work also faces increasing opportunities and challenges. Now, market expansion is not only through traditional means such as attending fairs, exhibitions, and trade connections, but also via digital platforms. Tran Quy Hien, Director of a company specialising in solutions for Vietnamese businesses in cross-border e-commerce, said that Vietnam is an export-oriented country. But now, exports are driven mostly through conventional forms such as trade fairs or foreign importers. Exports through e-commerce is relatively new, he said, adding that when shifting from the traditional models to a more advanced model, they will face many barriers. For example, regarding pattern design, previously, many businesses mainly processed designs ordered by importers. However, when participating in e-commerce platforms, they will sell directly to customers, which requires them to pay more attention to packaging, labels and designs. Exporters also face barriers relating to the importer's standards, quality certification, import certificates, and high-quality human resources for advertising, communications, or marketing. The participation of ministries, departments and branches is needed to create policies to support businesses.

Phu said that in the coming time, the MoIT will continue to innovate trade promotion work, combining traditional and modern methods associated with e-commerce and the digital economy to diversify import-export markets. Digital trade promotion activities will be prioritised for key export markets, markets that signed FTAs with Vietnam and potential markets. The ministry will focus on supporting localities and businesses to strongly shift to official exports associated with brand building and promoting sustainable exports, he said./.