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‘Change trade directions’
Viet Nam needs to restructure the import-export market to develop the economy sustainably in the post-crisis period, economists said at a seminar last week in HCM City.
Viet Nam should rely less on imports from China and export more to technology centres such as the United States, Japan and European countries said, Doan Thi Hong Van from the HCM City University of Economics.
Increasing exports to the world’s major technology centres would help Viet Nam advance and increase its international market status after the crisis, Van said.
Viet Nam had a trade surplus with the US, in contrast to the alarming trade deficit with its major export rival, China, Van said.
Viet Nam imports about 90 commodities from China including steel, textile and garment materials, fertiliser, electronic parts, machines, plastic products, motorbikes, wood and medicine.
Van suggested that Viet Nam needed to diversify its export markets.
Viet Nam should attract investment projects from the US, and strengthen imports of modern technologies to produce high- quality products.
Van said one-third of US imports came from countries where it has invested.
In terms of the EU, Vietnamese enterprises need to keep up-to- date on EU import regulations, because the EU market sets standards accepted internationally.
Viet Nam should take full advantage of the Viet Nam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement to boost bilateral co-operation and develop domestic supporting industries.
She also discussed improvements to training, HR, product quality and more co-operation between domestic companies.
Seafood
Nguyen Dong Phong from the HCM City University of Economics said apart from the traditional markets such as the EU, the seafood industry needed to expand export markets such as Japan, the US, China and South Korea, when the economy improves.
Enterprises should have exporting marketing strategies in accordance with different markets, Phong said.
He said exporters needed to strengthen fishery hygiene practices and food safety for breeding, fish feed and processing. Domestic enterprises should invest more in building brands and improving packaging and designs and promoting their brands overseas.
Exporters need to participate in international trade fairs to exchange experience, access the latest technologies and keep up- to-date on trade rules and technical barriers.
According to statistics of the General Customs Department, fisheries export volume to the EU is the largest with 14,636 tonnes worth US$46.8 million.
The export volume to Japan, the US and the ASEAN market is 5,138 tonnes, 4,930 tonnes and 4,619 tonnes respectively.
The Ministry of Agriculture Rural and Development forecast the growth rate of seafood exports will drop by 10 percent this year.
Quynh Hoa
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