Haiphong urged to grow into key logistics hub

Illustrative photo (Source: Internet)

Vietnam’s logistics infrastructure has undergone gradual improvements in recent years, with a number of localities throughout the country receiving logistics upgrades.

The country is home to two key international logistic gateways, including Haiphong international port and Cai Mep - Thi Vai international port. In addition, the aviation transport system, expressway sections, and many modern logistics centers have also seen expansions.

Despite these improvements, the logistics sector still faces a range of shortcomings, especially high costs. Besides, the competitiveness edge of local logistics firms remains limited while the sector suffers from a lack of comprehensive infrastructure linkages.

Haiphong’s logistics sector has been built upon three major pillars, namely port services, post-port services, and transit. The port city plays a key role in conducting transit services which serve as a driving force for regional and international linkages. These factors should be optimized to create breakthroughs for the city’s logistics sector, said Tran Thanh Hai, deputy head of the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Additional investment is needed to develop smart warehouses in Haiphong while the city should focus on improving the overall quality of logistics workforce, Hai noted, adding that support given by local authorities proves significant to the development of logistics firms.

Improving operations of the logistics sector would help the city tap into its advantages while flourishing into a major driving force for the city’s socio-economic growth and yielding spillover effects on neighboring localities.

Tran Tuan Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade, said Haiphong should promptly consider and set forth an action plan for the implementation of the Government’s Decision No. 200 on developing the domestic logistics system and the ministry’s blueprint on improving the country’s logistics performance index (LPI).

An overall outlook for the municipal development must be sketched out and linked with national growth as the country has been deepening its international integration via the participation of many free trade agreements, the minister said.