On September 21, 2006, the Ministry of Trade held a meeting to review a one-year operation of the Vietnamese E-Commerce Portal (ECVN) and talked with member companies. The theme of the talk focused on “commercial price information demand” solutions for companies using e-commerce in Vietnam.
According to many commercial experts, the development of e-commerce has, in fact, generated numerous chances for businesses. Mr. Nguyen Huu Tuan, Director of the ECVN, affirmed that the recent survey into 181 ECVN member companies showed 9 per cent of its member companies had used e-commerce and signed 32 contracts valued over VND8 billion (US$500,000). Other also found potential partners.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hung, Director of the E-Commerce Department under the Ministry of Trade, stressed the result of the survey into the e-commerce application by businesses worried concerned persons. For example, the garment and textile industry is one of key exporters of Vietnam but the use of e-commerce in this industry is very modest.
According to the survey, with insufficient information, only 15 per cent of companies in Vietnam export on CIF prices. “The proportion would have been raised to 30-40 per cent if we have enough information.” At present, Vietnamese normally export commodities on FOB prices.
Due to legal issues, the ECVN now only ensure contacts among enterprises not support e-commerce. This is the target of the ECVN to become a real e-commerce portal.
The Deputy Minister of Trade Phan The Rue said the Ministry of Trade will have plans to organise information and send it to businesses. The ministry is even ready to buy information of big international news agencies.
After one year of operation, ECVN has nearly 1,000 members, including hundreds of reliable exporters and foreign firms. This port has created more than 3,000 business opportunities for its members. There are over 30,000 visits a day, nearly 40 per cent of which are paid by foreign entities. Many international organisations have known ECVN and want to support it in inviting more members and evaluating members.
Huong Ly
Vietnamese
