Vietnamese trade counsellors overseas on March 22 proposed a number of measures to boost exports in the context of the slow economic recovery.
Local businesses have so far this year encountered numerous difficulties in seeking overseas outlets for their products, while Vietnam’s major markets such as the US, EU and Japan are struggling to settle their internal affairs.
The US economy is forecast to recover slowly; the EU is still bearing the brunt of its prolonged debt crisis, and the Japanese economy is not out of the woods yet.
In addition, many countries are setting up technical barriers through exchange rate adjustment and anti-dumping lawsuits to protect domestic production.
Nguyen Trung Dung, trade counsellor to Japan, suggested that the government encourage Japanese businesses to joint venture with their Vietnamese counterparts in processing agro-forestry and fisheries products to take advantage of Japan’s advanced technology and lower the ratio of raw exports.
Vietnam and Japan need to work together to simplify
import-export procedures, he said. 
Vietnam aims to obtain US$29 billion in two-way trade with Japan (up 16 percent over 2012), US$15 billion of which will come from exports (up 20 percent).
Nguyen Bao, trade counsellor to Australia, said the US$5 billion two-way trade turnover last year ranked Australia 9th among Vietnam’s business partners. The two economies can support each other, with Vietnam exporting its key items such as garments, footwear and seafood to Australia while importing some of Australia’s key products like wheat, milk, and timber.
Nguyen Thi Hong, Vice Chairwoman of the HCM City Municipal People’s Committee, said this year the city will continue to ease difficulties for businesses to facilitate their operations. Its trade portal run by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) will be upgraded to showcase products and provide up-to-date information for local and foreign businesses to seek partnerships and expand markets.
The city will promote links between businesses and banks and between local businesses and trade counsellors overseas, especially in key markets, to boost trade promotion.
Trade counsellors and local businesses exchanged views on export trends in 2013 and shared experience in penetrating key markets.
Despite the current economic difficulties, Vietnam’s export turnover totalled US$114.57 billion in 2012. Ho Chi Minh City’s exports exceeded US$29.9 billion, 6.3 percent higher than in 2011.
The forum, held at HCM City’s White Palace Convention Centre on March 22, attracted representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnamese counsellors to Australia, Japan, and Myanmar, and representatives from leading export enterprises.
VOV
