Nghe An: Export turnover exceeds 1 billion USD mark

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh spoke at the conference. Photo: Viet Phuong

On the afternoon of January 16, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to summarize import and export activities in 2018, dialogue with businesses, and promote import and export in 2019. Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee attended and gave a speech.

In 2018, export turnover grew quite well, reaching 1,050 million USD, up 6.127% compared to 2017, exceeding the plan by 5.31%; of which goods turnover reached 720 million USD, up 3.44% compared to 2017.

Overview of the 2018 import-export activities summary conference. Photo by Viet Phuong

In 2018, there were 50 items/groups of items exported, of which 3 items reached a turnover of over 100 million USD; 10 items reached a turnover of 10 - 100 million USD. The province's key product groups such as textiles, processed fruits, various stone products, cassava products... had a sharp increase in export turnover.

The export market expanded to 121 countries and territories in 2018. Many exported products have met the quality standards of countries such as Japan, Russia, Australia, the US, Germany, etc., which are markets that require very high standards for products before being imported.

The purchase and consumption of agricultural, forestry and seafood products for farmers in the province has achieved quite good results. There has been no backlog of products, including agricultural products.

However, at this conference, the Department of Industry and Trade also pointed out: Although import-export turnover has grown, it is still low compared to the national average. Nghe An still lacks key export products and depends on goods from other provinces or foreign countries such as cassava starch, pepper, wood products, fresh fruits, etc.

The export scale is still small and fragmented, so the costs are high and it is difficult to compete with similar products from other provinces. The export market has been expanded, but it is still too dependent on the Chinese market (accounting for 51.2% of total export turnover).

In 2019, the export turnover target for 2019 is 1,090 million USD, of which: goods export is 780 million USD, foreign currency collection services and labor export is 310 million USD.

Unloading goods at Cua Lo port. Photo: Viet Phuong

At the conference, representatives of some enterprises pointed out some difficulties in import and export activities; hoped that departments, branches and localities would create sources of goods for export; continue to organize trade promotion activities, creating opportunities for enterprises to access. At the same time, pay attention to building infrastructure for export and logistics infrastructure in the province.

In the spirit of accompanying businesses, the concerns and difficulties of businesses were answered and acknowledged by the provincial leaders and the Department of Industry and Trade.

Speaking at the conference, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh acknowledged and commended the business community, departments, branches and localities for the results achieved in import and export activities. At the same time, he emphasized: 2019 is an important year, a "sprint" year in implementing the 5-year plan 2016 - 2020. Therefore, to complete the export turnover target to achieve an average export growth rate of 12 - 14%/year and reach 1.2 billion USD in 2020 as the set target, in 2019 it is necessary to continue to synchronously implement solutions.

Awarding Certificates of Merit from the Provincial People's Committee to 5 enterprises with many achievements in import-export activities in 2018. Photo: Viet Phuong

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee suggested that in the coming time, it is necessary to continue to promote investment, calling on domestic and foreign investors to invest in the production of export goods in Nghe An; Have important solutions to create breakthroughs in building a rich source of export goods, increasing export turnover; Promote production and processing of goods, creating sources of export goods; reform administration, support for export enterprises; Build infrastructure to serve exports, logistics infrastructure in the province...

On this occasion, the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 5 collectives with many achievements in import and export activities in 2018.