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Leaders perform the opening ceremony of the Vietnam International Sourcing 2023 event series.

On the morning of September 13, the series of events "Connecting the international supply chain of goods" (Viet Nam International Sourcing 2023), co-chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, was officially opened in Ho Chi Minh City.

The series of events aimed to actively implement the Project "Promoting Vietnamese enterprises to directly participate in foreign distribution networks until 2030" approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1415/Q.D.- TTg November 14, 2022.

The series of events included export forums "Connecting the international supply chain of goods", seminars, trade connection activities and exhibitions on these topics with a scale of 8,000 m2 for 300 businesses representing different sectors in the international supply chain, which are deployed from September 13 to 15.

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Do Thang Hai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, said that in the eight months of 2023, Vietnam's total import and export turnover of goods reached 435.23 billion USD, of which exports reached 227.7 billion USD, contributing to Vietnam trade surplus of 20.19 billion USD. Although exports decreased compared to the same period last year, these movements showed the efforts of industries, agencies and the business community.

According to Mr Do Thang Hai, we could not help mentioning the important and positive contribution of export market development and trade promotion activities to achieve those outstanding achievements. Many drastic and effective solutions have been implemented to support foreign trade, such as new and appropriate forms of promotion, ensuring circulation, timely supply of essential goods and promoting import and export.

Businesses exchange and connect at the booth of Decathlon Group (France). Photo: N.H

In particular, Mr Hai shared that in recent years, Vietnam has been transforming strongly to become a major global manufacturing centre with the ability to supply the world market with many diverse products, rich in types, competitive in price and with increasingly improved quality. At the same time, after the pandemic and recent geopolitical-economic instability, many corporations and retail and wholesale distribution channels are promoting diversification strategies, ensuring sustainable and selected supply. Vietnam is a strategic location in their global supply chain.

Therefore, these events helped promote exports, develop important markets and enable businesses to meet, learn and exchange experiences. Mr. Hai expected many agreements and commercial transactions to be successfully signed at the event. Attendees were able to connect more partners and customers and have more business ideas thanks to these events, forums and seminars.

Sharing this view, Mr. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, affirmed that the local government would continue to accompany and support businesses to overcome difficulties and challenges in a declining export market. Specifically, the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) was assigned to research and proactively coordinate with departments and agencies of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as promotion units and domestic and foreign business associations in organizing more practical export promotion activities, meeting the needs of expanding export markets and participating deeply in the international supply chain of goods.

The selected participants have all achieved international certificates, owning high-quality products that belong to essential and prominent products of Vietnam. Besides, international distributors and retailers in demand, such as food, textiles, footwear, backpacks, handbags, sporting goods and picnics, household appliances and furniture, supporting industries... were invited. The event attracted 8,000 visitors and transactions with 200 international delegations from 30 countries and territories. The organizing committee also coordinated with local Departments of Industry and Trade to send purchasing teams to survey businesses in some localities.

This year's event also recorded unprecedented participation from large corporations around the world. During the three days of Vietnam International Sourcing 2023, 10 thematic seminars and useful business forums and trade connections were held throughout, with the participation of large corporations: typical such as Aeon, Uniqlo (Japan); Walmart, Amazon, Boeing (USA), Carrefour, Decathlon (France); Central Group (Thailand); Coppel (Mexico); IKEA (Sweden), LuLu (UAE)…