BITEX: 4 Decades of Promoting Education and Pursuing Sustainability Values

Pursuing the goal of becoming a leading supplier of school supplies, office equipment and technology applications for education in Vietnam, Binh Tay Import Export Joint Stock Company (BITEX) has experienced 40 years of promoting education and pursuing sustainability values.

BITEX is honored with Second Class Labor Order at its 40th anniversary 

The year 2022 marks the 40-year development milestone of BITEX. Initially named District 6 Import Export Supply Company (SIXIMEX), BITEX has made challenging transformations through many stages of development. BITEX is now proud to be a top supplier of school supplies and stationeries in Vietnam. BITEX is also an official distributor of world-renowned brands including CASIO Calculator and PILOT Pen.

40 Years of Development

Birth of BITEX

Binh Tay Import Export Joint Stock Company (BITEX), formerly known as District 6 Import Export Supply Company (SIXIMEX), was established in 1982. At that time, the company mainly supplied agricultural, forest and aquatic products and handicrafts, exported to corporations of Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Government.

In the 1990s, the company was granted more business and investment power. During this period, calculators, watches, and stationeries exclusively distributed by BITEX were officially introduced to Vietnamese consumers. Without a doubt, this was the foundation for the future strong development of BITEX.

Significant contribution to education

On its development journey, 1993 was one of BITEX’s important milestones, marking its strong transformation along with the country’s education reform.

Specifically, with its opportunity to access advanced educational programs in the world and its concerns of cooperation with relevant bodies towards the goal of raising Vietnam’s education levels, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BITEX, realized that calculator application to schools was very necessary and appropriate in that period. Therefore, he managed to achieve successful negotiations to make BITEX an exclusive distributor of CASIO calculators in Vietnam.

Furthermore, with the enthusiasm and mission of accompanying the education sector, BITEX actively worked with its partner CASIO to research and improve CASIO calculator features to be more suitable for teaching and learning methods in Vietnam. At the same time, BITEX organized periodic training programs for teachers across the country in order to update the latest innovations and increase their opportunity to access new teaching and learning methods applied to teachers and students all over the country, especially in remote areas.

BITEX diversifies its product portfolio, aiming to meet a wide range of demands, from kindergartens, primary schools and universities to offices

In 1995, to inspire students to love learning and form creative thinking, BITEX held the first CASIO calculator-based math competition in Ho Chi Minh City. Now, BITEX has hosted more than 27 years of supporting CASIO calculator math exams and 17 national exams organized by the Ministry of Education and Training.

The success of calculator-based math competitions is certainly not only a breakthrough for BITEX's business but also inspires learning and practical application to many generations of students.

Expanding a comprehensive education ecosystem

Going beyond the success with calculators, BITEX desired to keep on the journey with knowledge and bring world-class school supplies and office products to consumers in Vietnam. That motivated BITEX to exclusively distribute Pilot high-end pen products and as well as research, manufacture and build European-standard SmartKids and BITEX office equipment brands at reasonable prices for Vietnamese consumers.

Specially, applying technology to education, driven by the robust development trend of modern science and technology, is a top priority at BITEX today. BITEX's strategy is building a foundation of internal resources for inclusive and sustainable development in the future. BITEX aims to serve everyone, from small children and primary students to university students and to office workers.

BITEX always focuses on human resource development

Sustainable Development Goals

Core values coupled with sustainable development goals

Led by the “Ongoing innovation” philosophy, BITEX always strives to bring the best school supplies and office products to consumers. BITEX's 40-year story is associated with core values that have been created, sustained and developed to this day.

INNOVATION - Innovation is seen as the foundation for all development.

RESPONSIBILITY - Absolute responsibility is promoted at work and in internal and external relationships.

SUSTAINABILITY - Sustainability is seen as a driving force, a competitive advantage and a factor for success.

BITEX's sustainability values revolve around People - Education - Community

BITEX presents gifts to teachers in the teacher-supporting program 

For human resources

At BITEX, human resource training and development is considered one of the key activities that lays a solid foundation for every step of the progress of the company.

BITEX invests in modern, safe and utility-rich equipment and facilities for employees. In order to improve their professional qualifications, BITEX has provided favorable conditions for them to participate in in-house and outsourced training courses. The budget for training increases dramatically year on year. In particular, BITEX leadership highly appreciates an inclusive corporate culture.

For education

After 40 years of presence in the market with many transformational milestones, Bitex has always pursued its sustainability values and closely linked its development with Vietnam’s general socioeconomic development trends, especially in education.

BITEX's current journey not only spreads love for mathematics to students but also extends to other activities like funding painting, engineering and literature competitions. On the next step of development, BITEX will continue to be consistent in promoting education to raise the level of future generations.

For community

During the past four decades, BITEX has always worked as a “business for the community” in all four aspects: education, culture, healthcare, and relief. Its achievements in and dedication to the education sector and national development are highly appreciated.

In the business aspect, BITEX always follows the directions and policies of the education sector. In the community aspect, BITEX dynamically and willingly cooperates with the Ministry of Education and Training to introduce practical assistance programs like supporting poor teachers to overcome difficulties; supporting orphans to overcome the pandemic; supporting frontline forces against the pandemic; and giving a helping hand to school children. The total budget amounts to tens of billions of Vietnamese dong.

Together, BITEX people have made their own mark on each development stage built on the innovative, dynamic, pioneering spirit in all activities during the past four decades that has formed the unique spirit and culture of BITEX. These elements, in combination, have become a solid foundation of strength and made an important contribution to building and affirming BITEX's position in the Vietnamese market.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum