Nghe An organizes dialogue to discuss solutions to boost exports.

Comrades Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and Pham Van Hoa - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, co-chaired the conference. Also attending were representatives of leaders from relevant departments and agencies, and a large number of import and export businesses in the province.

Exports continue to record growth.

In 2023, the complex and unpredictable global situation continued to affect production, business, and import-export activities. In this context, under the decisive, timely, flexible, and effective direction and management of the Provincial People's Committee, along with the efforts of the entire political system, the people, and businesses, the province's export activities in 2023 continued to record growth compared to 2022.

Total export turnover in 2023 reached US$3.1 billion, an increase of 22.3% compared to the previous year, exceeding the annual plan by 8.2%; of which, goods exports reached US$2.44 billion, an increase of 11.67% compared to 2022, achieving 97.8% of the annual plan.

In 2023, many product categories experienced significant export growth. Notably, the proportion of processed goods exported continued to increase, especially construction materials, minerals, processed seafood, and some processed agricultural products such as processed fruit juices. The proportion of processed goods is estimated to have increased by 8.17% compared to 2022.

In 2023, businesses in Nghe An exported goods to over 152 countries and territories worldwide, an increase of 19 markets compared to 2022. There were 396 businesses involved in exporting goods from Nghe An province.

In addition, some of the province's OCOP products are exported, such as: Quynh Sea seafood (exported to the US), Van Phan fish sauce (exported to Japan), eels, etc.

In 2023, Nghe An province had 7 enterprises selected by the Ministry of Industry and Trade as reputable export enterprises of 2022, including: Vilaconic Joint Stock Company, Thanh Thanh Dat Limited Company, Hoang Thi Loan Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company, Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Joint Stock Company, Merry & Luxshare (Vietnam) Limited Company, TH Food Chain Joint Stock Company, and Nafoods Group Joint Stock Company.

Market information dissemination has been implemented systematically and effectively. The Ministry of Industry and Trade regularly coordinates with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Vietnamese trade offices abroad to update businesses on market demand, policies, trade barriers, support policies, etc., helping them to plan and develop appropriate production strategies.

The Department of Industry and Trade organizes online conferences with trade attachés in countries such as China, the United States, the EU, and New Zealand... to promptly grasp and forecast market conditions and new policies for the province's industries and businesses. It also coordinates and organizes dissemination through conferences, seminars, and television programs... on the EVFTA and CPTPP agreements, rules of origin, market research skills... for businesses in the province.

Through trade fairs, the Nghe An community abroad (Singapore, the United States, South Korea, China, etc.) provides information about products and catalogs to create networking opportunities for businesses.

Export promotion support activities are implemented regularly, in diverse ways, and have initially achieved positive results.

Removing obstacles for businesses

Although exports in 2023 showed growth, it was not truly stable and the efficiency was not high. The value-added content of exported goods remained low, and the proportion of domestic value in goods enjoying preferential tariffs was limited; while export items were diverse, the scale was still small. Many items still depended on sources outside the province and foreign markets (such as cassava starch, pepper, wood products...). Many export items faced difficulties, and export turnover decreased compared to the same period last year.

The conference attracted many frank and lively discussions from businesses and sectors aimed at resolving difficulties for businesses and boosting the province's export activities in the coming period.

In particular, the issue of logistics continued to be a topic of discussion among many businesses. Many delegates argued that logistics is indispensable in export activities, but businesses in Nghe An are facing high costs, making it difficult for them to compete.

Mr. Ngo Van Thanh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hoang Thi Loan Textile and Garment Joint Stock Company, stated: Nghe An province has strong potential for industrial production development, but logistics are inadequate, requiring goods to be transported to Hai Phong Port, which drives up costs. "No shipping company can operate without goods going out and then returning. Therefore, regional linkages with businesses in Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa are needed to create a flow of goods, increase frequency and capacity, help Cua Lo Port develop, and reduce transportation costs for businesses," Mr. Thanh suggested.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Director of Asia Hoa Son Joint Stock Company, stated that raw materials play a crucial role in production and export activities. However, the company is currently facing a shortage of raw materials and competition from traders. Currently, raw materials only meet 30-40% of production capacity. The province needs to implement solutions to protect businesses that have been granted investment licenses; only then will they dare to invest in processing technology.

Many textile, rattan, and bamboo export businesses shared difficulties due to labor shortages affecting production; issues related to land leasing and policies supporting businesses in trade promotion activities. Many businesses in Quy Hop and Tan Ky also raised concerns about shortcomings in goods inspection procedures and mineral resource licensing fees.

The concerns of businesses were addressed and discussed in detail by representatives of relevant departments and agencies, the Nghe An Tax Department, and the Nghe An Customs Department.

After listening to the opinions of the delegates and giving directives at the conference, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Le Hong Vinh, acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts of the political system and the business community in import and export activities. 2024 is a significant year in accelerating the implementation and striving to achieve the goals of the 5-year socio-economic development plan (2021-2025) and the Resolution of the 19th Provincial Party Congress.

To achieve the export turnover target for 2024, it is necessary to effectively utilize free trade agreements to expand markets and boost exports of the province's key products. It is requested that relevant departments, agencies, districts, cities, towns, and businesses continue to implement comprehensively the basic solutions for developing export sources, supporting export promotion, improving the competitiveness of logistics services, and strengthening state management of import and export activities.

Continue to closely coordinate with Vietnamese trade offices abroad to gather market information and identify emerging issues affecting Vietnam's exports in order to develop timely response solutions. Organize awareness campaigns on import and export activities, international integration, and border trade for businesses and the public, especially training on the effective application of rules of origin and how to meet those rules to help businesses seize opportunities arising from FTAs. Organize training for businesses on market access techniques and new regulations of other countries... so that businesses understand and apply them appropriately.

The businesses' recommendations were also discussed in detail by the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, who also instructed relevant departments and agencies to continue resolving difficulties, supporting businesses, and promoting export development.

On this occasion, the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Commendation to 9 enterprises for their outstanding achievements in export activities.