Fine logistics services facilitate Vietnam-EU trade: experts

Unloading containers at Hai Phong port

Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu said Vietnam and the EU have enjoyed fruitful trade ties in the past time, particularly the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, which was signed in August, serves as a boon for trade development between the two sides.

However, the two-way trade faced formidable challenges due to the pandemic, including expensive logistics services, and the EU’s changes of administrative procedures in import-export and international goods management process.

In this context, Phu said logistics firms of both sides need to discuss cooperative opportunities, take advantage of each other’s resources to optimise logistics services so as to better serve export and import enterprises.

The MoIT’s competent agencies are working to create favourable conditions for import and export firms as well as logistics businesses, he stressed, adding Vietnam encourages local firms to invest heavily in uniform logistics infrastructure, enhance connectivity of transport vehicles, and improve capacity to provide logistics services through digitalisation.

Meanwhile, deputy head of the MoIT’s Foreign Trade Agency Tran Thanh Hai suggested EU firms plow into logistics infrastructure in Vietnam, participate in carrying out technology application in the field, and bolster training of logistics human resources and cooperation in urban logistics, circular logistics and green logistics.

Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association Nguyen Tuong, for his part, laid stress on several challenges of Vietnamese logistics firms, including digital transformation, service quality, management skills, and human resources.

Senior Manager Supply Chain Solutions Asia of the Holland International Distribution Council (HIDC) Sjaak de Klein said HIDC stands ready to give consultation on supply chain for Vietnamese logistics firms.

Sharing logistics risk management while cooperating with EU enterprises, President of Club FrancoRisk Gilbert Canameras said as risks increase when the world changes, businesses should be well equipped with risk forecast systems.