Nghe An is determined to overcome obstacles and unblock export flows, aiming for a target of 4.5 billion USD.

Many industries are facing difficulties.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade, the total export value of goods in the province for the first 10 months is estimated at US$3,716 million, an increase of 40.87% compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 92.9% of the annual plan. In 2025, the estimated value is US$4,400 million, an increase of 38.72% compared to 2024, reaching 110% of the plan. Several export items saw significant increases, notably: electronic equipment and components (up 110.98%); textiles and garments (up 35.64%); footwear (up 105%); electrical wires and cables (up 18%);... Goods were exported to 145 countries and territories worldwide. Typical markets include: China, the United States, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan,...

However, in recent times, exports have faced many difficulties due to a sharp decline in global consumer demand and a slowdown in the global economy. High inflation and tight monetary policies in many developed countries (such as the US, EU, and Japan) have led to a significant decrease in purchasing power, greatly affecting the province's exports, especially consumer goods such as textiles, wood products, electronic components, and processed foods.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Middle East, and the complexities of US-China trade relations continue to put pressure on global supply chains, impacting input material prices and international shipping times.

Major export markets are increasingly implementing trade protection measures, rules of origin, quality standards, and traceability requirements, making it difficult to maintain and expand export market share.

Meanwhile, freight costs, container shortages, and congestion on some key shipping routes continue to affect the costs and delivery times of businesses. Regulations on carbon emissions and environmental standards (such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism - CBAM) are being tightened, while local businesses have limited capacity to invest in green technologies and transition to clean production, making it difficult to meet the criteria of high-end markets, thus impacting import and export activities.

Mr. Ho Duc Dan, Director of Song Hieu Agricultural and Forestry Products Processing Enterprise, shared: Export volume of wood chips has decreased sharply due to a decline in domestic raw material supply and intense competition among producers. In addition, China (the main consumer market) is facing difficulties due to the sharp drop in the price of pulp and finished paper exported to European and American markets, a significant decrease in demand, and the impact of tariff measures in the US-China trade tensions.

Regarding textile and garment exports, many businesses report significant fluctuations and instability in export orders. The majority of orders are specifically designated for export to the US market, making businesses dependent and hindering their ability to proactively manage production. Consumer demand in the international market continues to decline, with consumers tightening their spending, significantly impacting their ability to maintain orders and production.

Some input materials with high technical requirements, such as circuit boards, chips, and inductors, cannot currently be processed or manufactured domestically. In fact, there have been assembly and manufacturing contracts signed but not fulfilled due to insufficient domestic technical capacity, forcing production to be outsourced to China. When importing components to complete products in Vietnam, the regional value content (RVC) often fails to meet the rules of origin requirements, making it difficult to benefit from preferential tariffs under FTAs.

According to the new regulations in the Value Added Tax Law 2024 (effective from July 1, 2025), green coffee beans and rice are subject to a 5% VAT. However, rice and coffee exporting businesses argue that this is creating significant financial and procedural pressure (businesses have to advance capital to pay the 5% VAT, then go through the tax refund process). Cash flow is therefore frozen, affecting their ability to rotate capital...

Proactively engage with businesses and remove bottlenecks.

In accordance with Plan No. 100/KH-TCT of Task Force No. 5 under Decision No. 164/QD-UBND dated January 21, 2025, of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Industry and Trade proactively identifies the difficulties faced by businesses under the growth steering group, and advises on and implements matters related to the growth direction of the import and export sector in 2025. It proactively identifies the difficulties faced by export businesses, especially those exporting goods directly to the United States, and the impact of tariff orders on exports by businesses such as An Son Stone, May Minh Anh, Nafoods, Frescol Tuna, Kido Vinh, Luxshare, Thanh Thanh Dat, etc.

Directing import and export businesses in Nghe An province to promote border trade and export goods to the Cambodian market; developing a resolution to support trade promotion activities for businesses in Nghe An province, including specific policies to support businesses in export promotion activities; implementing the Vietnam-China Border Trade Agreement...

In 2025, Nghe An province aims to achieve a total export turnover of 4,500 million USD (compared to the target set in the Resolution of the Party Congress of 1,765 million USD), an increase of 15.96% compared to 2024; meeting the target set in the "Nghe An Province Export Development Plan for the period 2021-2025" (Decision No. 481/QD-UBND dated February 25, 2022). Of this, the export turnover of goods is estimated to reach 4,000 million USD, an increase of 26.11% compared to 2024; meeting the target set in the "Nghe An Province Export Development Plan for the period 2021-2025".

Mr. Pham Van Hoa, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, stated: To achieve the set goals, the industry has proposed solutions such as: diversifying export markets, effectively exploiting market opening opportunities through export supply-demand connection activities, organizing business delegations to participate in domestic trade fairs and exhibitions, organizing supply-demand connection forums, and facilitating trade connections in major export markets such as the United States, China, the EU, and ASEAN,...

In addition, export promotion will be focused on priority product groups in each stage, in line with developments in the global economy, taking advantage of opportunities in both international and domestic markets. Review and support will be provided to accelerate the progress of investment projects aimed at production and export, especially key industrial projects of the province that create a large supply of goods for export, such as: automobile manufacturing and assembly; electronic component manufacturing projects, etc.

Furthermore, coordinate with Vietnamese trade offices abroad to promptly provide information and address issues related to import and export, trade defense, and technical barriers in other countries, enabling relevant units and businesses in the province to respond in a timely manner. Continue to innovate trade promotion efforts, apply AI technology to market research, and encourage businesses to boost sales through e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Alibaba.

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The provincial planning department is developing a Resolution to support trade promotion activities for businesses in Nghe An province, which includes specific policies to support businesses in export promotion activities. It is mobilizing resources to invest in transportation infrastructure connecting logistics services, and developing the "Project to develop Nghe An province into a logistics center in the North Central region by 2030, with a vision to 2045" according to the Plan for implementing Resolution 39-NQ/TW dated July 18, 2023 of the Politburo.

Mr. Pham Van Hoa - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade

With the decisive involvement of departments and agencies, along with the proactive adaptation of the business community, Nghe An expects to overcome the "headwinds" of the global market and successfully achieve its export targets for 2025 and the 2021-2025 period.