Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has been helping businesses, ), especially small and medium enterprises, to create new advancements in operational processes. E-commerce has helped businesses saving costs, learning about partners, conducting transactions, signing contracting, expanding markets with minimal costs… On the other hand, e-commerce accommodating policies have been developed and paid attention by government in order to create favorable conditions for companies to utilize effectively strengths of e-commerce.
Improving competitive capacities
On May 11th 2014, the Prime Minister issued the Decision approving the National E-commerce Developing program in period 2014 -2020. Accordingly, units directing the implementation were governmental bodies and Vietnam E-commerce Association. Program beneficiaries were bodies, organizations, and enterprises of all economic sectors. Funds for the implementation was VND450 billion.
The goal of the program was to build up the fundamental infrastructure, carry out approaches, activities support the e-commerce development in Vietnam, bringing e-commerce became a popular activity, improving competitive capacities of enterprises and the nation to accelerate the process of industrialization and modernization.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Trinh, Director of Trade Promotion and Economic Information Center, said, the center has organized many training courses of e-commerce for provincial businesses.
The center also collaborated with Institute of Business Administration of FPT University to give training of “"Managing Risk of E-commerce”, helping businesses to assess situations, build plans for e-commerce development; cooperated with Institute of Research and Training Management (RMIT) to organize training “Brand Management in E-commerce" in order to improve competitiveness, the brand value of companies in the province.
Opportunities for SMEs
Experts believe that e-commerce was a tool for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand markets, actively participate in the integration with low expenses.
More and more have participated in e-commerce.
Image: Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuong Vi introduced Binh Duong lacquers to customer.
Besides, e-commerce requires companies to research, analyze e-commerce market of their industry. Therefore, each enterprise should distinguish 2 markets: The input market is raw material, technology and machinery for production; output market is commercial products or services of businesses that will be targeted at specific customer types, have growth forecasts for the future. In addition, companies need to choose a form of payment in accordance with customer needs, and maintain, strengthen their website.
As a registered e-commerce business approved by Department of Industry and Trade, Small Smiles Souvenirs JSC has initially affirmed Vietnam's trademark with traditional craft products. Director Nguyen Thi Tuong Vi said, the company sold souvenirs on website www.vietnamsouvernir.vn. The company has always focused on e-commerce brand advertising. Their products are made from natural materials, such as coconut shell, coconut wood, roasted rice, egg shells..., containing traditional features, and being environmental friendly. In particular, the company has promoted Binh Duong lacquers.
Due to e-commerce, Small Smiles Souvenirs JSC received a number of orders from abroad and is becoming popular. "In order to create confidence in consumers, the company has maintained business activities in store, simultaneously regularly refreshed contents on our website. I hope that traditional products of Vietnam and Binh Duong lacquers will become popular”, said Ms. Vi.
Reported by Q.Nhien – Translated by Ngoc Huynh
