Hapro: Intensifying Trade with Russia

In recent years, the economic and cultural relationship between Vietnam and the Federation of Russia has shifted to a new level. Bilateral cooperation activities appreciated and promoted by the two Government, ministries, branches, associations, and particularly businesses have made good achievements.

 

Russia is a traditional and friendly market to Vietnam. Our export and import turnover to Russia is estimated to go over USD1 billion, of which producing and processing agricultural, forestry, and aquatic products takes a big share.

 

In the framework of the visit to Russia in September, 2008, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasised that the two countries should further reinforced and strengthened the traditional and multi-faceted cooperation relationship. He stated that the bilateral economic, commercial and investment cooperation relation remained asymmetric to potentials and ambitions of the two countries. It is essential to push up and strive to increase the bilateral trade turnover to USD2 billion by 2010.

 

Hanoi Trade Corporation (Hapro) is one of the leading Vietnamese businesses in import and export. It specialises in importing and exporting fine art handicraft, agricultural produce, garment, a system of supermarket chain and convenience stores called Hapro, HaproFood food shop, service, investment in industrial parks and offices for lease.

 

Among these activities, import and export is the key operation of Hapro. Products labelled with Hapro brand name have reached 60 countries and territories in the world.

Russian market has for a long time been a rich land for Vietnamese exporters. Mr Tran Manh Canh, Hapro Deputy Director General, said: "Hapro has been considering Russia as a big traditional and potential market. Such brand names as Unimex Hanoi, Simex, or Hapro have become familiar partners of many Russian exporting and importing companies with products like handicraft, mattress of all kinds, pottery, and agricultural products, for example tea, coffee, black pepper.

 

In 2004, Hapro officially opened its representative office in Moscow. The company began to penetrate and develop its position in Russia and SNG ex-members. Export turnover to these markets has grown drastically over years. Main articles Hapro exports to Russia include agricultural produce, foodstuff, processed vegetables, and handicraft with annual growth rate of 20 - 30 per cent. In addition to articles of its strength, Hapro also emphasises on promoting and boosting export in some fields of high demand in Russia like textile and garment, beverage, or tourism.

 

Furthermore, items made in Russia like household appliances, cosmetics, confectionery, Vodka wine are Vietnamese people's favourite products". The delegation of Hanoi city paid visit and held a festival "Hanoi Days in Moscow" at Moscow during July 16 - 23. Hapro had a meeting with Russian partners to introduce and advertise its image, products and service, and signed two big contracts, of which the contract of supplying processed vegetables and handicraft to Russia was worth millions of U.S dollar.

 

Hapro also wants to look for Russian partners who can supply consumption goods, material inputs for manufacturing steel, nitrogenous fertiliser, chemicals, etc, and boosts cooperation in service like two-way tours between Vietnam and Russia and Europe.

At present, goods exported to Russia are facing sanitary and tariff barriers.

 

Hapro's leaders acknowledge that they should strengthen promotion and export to this potential market, maximising the role of representative office and support from ministries and branches. Hapro wishes to become a reliable partner of Russian businesses to collaborate and cooperate under the principle of mutual benefit.
P.V