Vietnam is among the top 20 economies in international trade.

On the morning of January 9, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held an online conference to review the implementation of tasks in 2021 and deploy the plan for 2022.

At the Hanoi bridge, comrade Le Van Thanh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister attended and chaired the conference. Co-chairing was comrade Nguyen Hong Dien - Member of the Party Central Committee, Minister of Industry and Trade and leaders of the Ministry.

At the Nghe An province bridge, there were comrades: Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Pham Van Hoa - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade co-chaired.

Leaders of the Government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade presided at the Hanoi bridge. Photo: congthuong.vn

EXPORTS GROWTH IS SPECIAL

In 2021, in the difficult context, together with the whole country, the Industry and Trade sector has been active, proactive and creative in implementing tasks and solutions to support and assist businesses in production and business; ensuring the timely circulation and supply of essential goods; promoting import and export; thereby achieving important and positive results.

Industrial production faced many difficulties but still maintained a positive growth rate with an increase in value of 4.82%, higher than the same period last year and higher than the overall growth rate of the economy.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien delivered the opening speech at the conference. Photo: Congthuong.vn

The internal structure of the industrial sector continued to change positively in line with the direction of industry restructuring. The processing and manufacturing industry continued to play a key role in leading the economic growth with an increase of 6.37%, contributing 1.61 percentage points to the country's GDP growth.

Vietnam's import-export activities have grown spectacularly, becoming a bright spot in the economy, with a total turnover reaching a record of 668.5 billion USD, up 22.6% over the previous year, putting Vietnam in the group of 20 leading economies in international trade; in which Vietnam's goods exports still broke through, achieving high growth, reaching nearly 332.25 billion USD.

Overview of the conference at the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

In the general results of the Industry and Trade sector nationwide in 2021, Nghe An also witnessed a prosperous year in import and export activities, becoming a bright spot in the provincial economy. Accordingly, the total import and export turnover of the province is estimated at over 3.36 billion USD, of which the total export turnover of the year reached over 2.4 billion USD, an increase of 59.7% compared to 2020.

Nghe An enterprises have exported to about 125 countries and territories around the world, in which the turnover of some major markets includes: China, Hong Kong, Korea, the United States, Taiwan, Japan, India, Europe. Some new export markets this year include: East Timor, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Marshall Islands, Luxembourg...

DO NOT LET EXPORT GOODS STICK UP AT SEAPORTS AND BORDER GATES

To contribute to achieving the country's GDP growth rate of 6 - 6.5% in 2022, the Industry and Trade sector strives to achieve an industrial production index (IIP) increase of about 7 - 8%; total export turnover of 6 - 8%. The trade balance maintains a surplus. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue increase by about 7 - 8% compared to 2021; total electricity production and import increase by 7.88%; commercial electricity increase by 7.1 - 9.1%.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh speaks at the conference. Photo: Congthuong.vn

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh congratulated the achievements of the Industry and Trade sector in the past difficult year; at the same time, emphasized a number of key tasks for the entire sector in 2022 to achieve the set goals.

Accordingly, the Deputy Prime Minister requested to focus on leading and directing the development and implementation of national sectoral plans to ensure progress and quality, with a focus on the national power development plan and the national energy master plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh also requested the industry to focus on removing difficulties and improving production and business efficiency for industries, energy, processing, manufacturing, chemicals, fertilizers, consumer goods production, etc.

To do so, one of the important tasks is that the electricity sector and related units must properly implement the investment schedule for the construction of key power source and grid projects, ensuring safe and stable power supply for socio-economic development and ensuring energy security; not allowing power shortages for production and daily life.

Panorama of the conference at the main bridge in Hanoi. Photo: congthuong.vn

The Industry and Trade sector also needs to closely follow domestic and international market developments, effectively carry out trade promotion activities, and promptly respond to production and circulation of goods, especially import and export activities that need to implement sustainable and long-term solutions.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the industry needs to comprehensively assess the impacts to maximize the advantages of free trade agreements (FTAs); boost exports, diversify markets, and diversify goods, especially potential and traditional markets.

Effectively resolve difficulties in customs clearance activities, avoid congestion at seaports and border gates, especially those between Vietnam and China as in the recent past. “Coordinate with local ministries and branches to find fundamental, specific and comprehensive solutions to increase the proportion of official exports to China,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

Vietnam is among the top 20 economies in international trade. Illustration photo: Internet

Along with that, the industry and trade sector nationwide needs to focus on developing domestic trade, especially e-commerce to effectively utilize the digital transformation process; continue to create breakthroughs in institutional policies in accordance with the direction of the Prime Minister.

Thanh Duy