Push needed in trade promotion efforts

Vietnam depends heavily on foreign trade, especially as exports play an important role in the country’s economic development, so foreign trade promotion must be of greater focus, according to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai.

Many business associations agree that overseas trade offices play an important role in promoting Vietnamese products in foreign markets.
The Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association (VINAFRUIT) has suggested that trade offices pay attention to holding conferences and seminars at fairs or at embassies so that participating Vietnamese enterprises have the opportunity to meet foreign business partners or the governments of host countries.

Ms. Hoang Thi Lien, President of the Vietnam Pepper Association, agreed that trade offices should help Vietnamese companies link with major buyers, potential wholesalers, and supermarkets, to convince them about the quality of local pepper.

In addition to seeking potential partners, the associations all emphasized that the issue of technical barriers also needs to be updated regularly so that exporters can adopt a timely response.

The issue of branding Vietnamese products in foreign markets is also extremely important for businesses.

Associations also suggested that trade offices support Vietnamese businesses in commercial disputes and trademark infringements as needed, and organize an annual dialogue to create conditions for associations and businesses to interact with foreign partners. Associations should also be responsible for providing trade offices with relevant documents or promotional materials so that foreign partners can gain a better understanding of their product offerings.