A Year of Overcoming Difficulties

In 2013, the value of industrial production - energy services of Tra Vinh estimated at VND4,900 billion, equalled 93.87 percent of the 2013 plan, an increase of 5.02 percent over 2012. Total retail goods estimated at VND14,600 billion, accomplished 113.18 percent of the 2013 plan, an increase of 15.84 percent over 2012. Most provincial products achieved a high growth rate, exceeding the set target. Especially, food businesses have upgraded equipment and production processes to ensure food safety and hygiene. Some products like Pâté, pork bologna, Vietnamese sausage gained wider consumption markets, reaching nearby provinces and big supermarkets such as the Co-op Mart, VINATEX mart. Export sector in 2013 has also prospered. Key export items such as leather shoes, rice, seafood, zinc sheet, chemicals all had a breakthrough. The 2013 export value of the province is estimated at US$300 million, equalled 107.14 percent of the planned target, an increase of 2.41 percent over 2012.

 

In 2013, the industrial sector attracted three projects with a total registered capital of VND1.83 billion and US$11.2 million. When going into operation, these projects are expected to help raise the provincial industrial production, creating a large number of jobs for local workers.

 

Tra Vinh Industry and Trade has also supported struggling businesses, helping them gain access to loans from credit institutions; coordinated regularly with the Tra Vinh Branch of the State Bank to organise direct dialogues with local businesses. Trade promotion activities have been showing more and more efficiency, methods have been innovated, focus more on the key problem of product output. Industrial promotion activities through the national and local promotion programs has helped to train employees, teach trades and supply equipment, thereby maintaining a stable employment rate and improving incomes.

 

It’s common knowledge among those who are close with Tra Vinh Trade and Industry and the province’s manufacturing and business activities that those impressive achievements in 2013 were mainly results of the timely Government, the effective and practical solutions of the province combined with determination from all enterprises and businessmen. However, a successful 2013 does not mean Tra Vinh can be worry-free, because industrial production for 2014 of the province is forecast to be challenging due to fluctuating prices of input material, the risk of high inflation, difficulties in getting loans and fierce competition in export market after joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). All of these factors will no doubt impact production and business activities of provincial enterprises.

 

For 2014, Tra Vinh Trade and Industry targets industrial production value to reach VND5,250 billion, increasing 7.14 percent; total retail sales to reach VND16,500 billion, up 13.01 percent, total exports to rise to US$320 million, increase 6.67 percent. To achieve these objectives, the sector will continue to implement the master plans, plans and projects approved by the government; prepare detailed planning for the construction of Chau Thanh District’s Industrial and Handicraft Complex, develop industrial development plan to 2020 with vision to 2030 and wind power development plan. Tra Vinh will also continue to create favourable conditions for businesses who have been investing in the province, support them in overcoming difficulties; encourage enterprises to invest in-depth, to innovate equipment and technology, applying modern technology; promote administrative reform; implement the 30c Project on creating a favourable and business-friendly environment to explore capital investment of enterprises, encouraging them to develop trade and industry of the province.