Export Support Centre to Be Established in HCMC

 

For a long time we have underestimated the role of traders, accusing them of exploiting and troubling farmers. However, in the context of a deep economic integration, role of traders is very important. They are the bridge connecting small producers with large, major production centres or points of consumption.

 

In the goods distribution system of Vietnam, the role of traders and barn owners cannot be refused. Wholesale markets such as Thu Duc, Binh Dien, Tan Xuan-Hoc Mon are concentration centres of most of traders and barn owners. For long we have heavily prejudiced that “traders squeeze prices, traders exploit”. Therefore, it is important to upgrade the awareness of the role of traders in this period. Traders must to be recognised as real entrepreneurs and their processes of buying and selling goods have created the stability of the economy, as well as the development of agricultural product distribution system of our country.

 

In the Mekong River Delta, where the commodity economy was formed relatively early, the image of traders is always associated with production and livelihood of farmers and fishermen. Except for a few scoundred ones, most of traders are very close to farmers. From places to places they spread farming techniques and market information for producers to improve product value. Therefore, we should have a more thorough look at traders to show respects to themselves and their contribution to the economy.

 

Implementing the Resolution Number 09-NQ/TW of the Politburo on constructing and improving the role of entrepreneurs in Vietnam in the period of pushing up industrialisation, modernisation and international integration, we are making all efforts to gather traders in an official association so that we can support them to take the most advantages of their capacities; at the same time help them to be more proud about their roles both in the economy and in social life.

 

As a result, we had a working session with Thu Duc Agricultural Products Management and Trading Ltd. to establish the entrepreneur club of Thu Duc wholesale market, to gather traders in the market on the purposes of exchanging experiences, cooperating, supporting each other in fields of capital, management experiences, market… so that commodity exchange will be established… This club is a pilot, its model will be applied in two other wholesale markets, namely entrepreneur club of Binh Dien wholesale market and that of Tan Xuan – Hoc Mon wholesale market.

 

The purposes of establishing entrepreneur clubs in wholesale markets of Ho Chi Minh city are to gather traders in markets to cooperate, unite to build a common house, to exchange experiences and information, to search for domestic and foreign markets. Other purposes are to support each other in fields of capital, management experiences, market; to improve competition; to actively participate in production network with the aim of constructing an exchange of commodity; to participate in the value chain in the country and globally.

 

Currently, domestic enterprises have many export products which they want to introduce widely to foreign enterprises; however we still do not possess concentrated display centres. Therefore, when an international enterprise comes to Vietnam to explore Vietnam’s products, they encounter many difficulties.

 

As a result, Business Association of Ho Chi Minh city proposed the People’s Party and got its approval to find proper place to establish centre of export support. It will be the place to display products of Vietnam’s enterprises, including products of both domestic consumption and export.

 

It will also be a place to hold conferences, exhibitions, exchange of goods and workshops to exchange information on import and export. Moreover, at the centre, we can welcome and receive foreign enterprises to rest, have meeting, survey the production situation of domestic enterprises to seek partners and build long term commercial relationship.

 

Currently in the city, every sector has demand on organising networking sessions, seminars and exhibitions to share business experiences. Therefore, the centre will not only become a showcase, but also a centre organising economic events of the city. Beside main functions, the center will also support Vietnam’s enterprises to search for partners, expand markets and increase export value through organising, guiding, creating favourable conditions for Vietnam’s enterprises to participate in Vietnam’s centre of producing Vietnam’s products in foreign countries, as well as trade fairs at home and abroad.

 

However, this is long term project and needs a convenient position, wide land with proper management policy. With the centre of export support, we hope that foreign enterprises who come to Vietnam will have a place where products interested by them are gathered.

 

Currently we have surveyed many places in Hoc Mon, Binh Chanh, however the most convenient and suitable location is the place ending Nguyen Van Linh boulevard. People’s Party of the city is still discussing to make the best decision. However, it is most likely that the centre will be constructed in this location.

 

Capital for constructing will be mobilised from domestic investors. However, we will also call for foreign investors to learn more experiences from them, especially organisers of international exhibitions. Besides presenting goods, we will also organise large scale international goods exhibitions of many sectors.