10:43:27 AM | 10/9/2014
Bac Giang export has increased in variety and quality, most positively with hi-tech items (electronic chips, transistor equipment, software, keyboards, etc). The main exports of the province are electronic parts, garment, foodstuff, canned fruit and so on. In recent years, Bac Giang and its industry-trade sector have launched several export programmes and activities. Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Mr Tran Van Loc, Director of Bac Giang Industry and Trade Department. Duy Anh reports.
In the first half of 2014, the export value of the province reached US$874.4 million, 16.5 percent more than the same period last year and 41.6 percent of the plan, under the conditions of economic difficulties. What are the reasons?
Regarding the State management, a most significant factor is the guidance of the provincial People’s Committee to businesses in the production of export products. Meanwhile all sectors, especially export businesses, maintained high growth rates in the past 4 years (2010-2014) at an average of 58.5 percent.
For its part, the Industry and Trade Department has assisted businesses in import and market information, matchmaking, promoting and recommending on consumption, sponsoring trade fairs at home and abroad: Vietnam International Trade Fair 24 (Vietnam Expo 14 and Hung Vuong Trade Fair. The province also established Bac Giang Industry-Trade website and Trade and Investment transaction on line at 24h.com.
The Department has recommended the People’s Committee on market survey to promote the consumption of litchi (specialty local fruit) and together with Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ho Chi Minh City to sponsor the Conference on consumption of litchi in Southwest Vietnam 2014. As a result, the consumption of litchi has been promoted, opening a larger market.
The Department has also helped in technology transfer and human resources training for garment and electronic parts businesses, assisted rural workers in industry and trade promotion programmes, in accessing low-interest credit, and diversifying export markets. In particular, it helped businesses in establishing supply-production-processing-consumption chain.
As Bac Giang is strong in garment and agricultural products, how is the province preparing for the TPP in the near future?
In 2013, the Department recommended the People’s Committee on organising a seminar on apparel industry to find solution for development once Vietnam signs the TPP agreement.
In 2014, the Department has participated in the drafting of “Bac Giang Apparel Development Plan 2015-2025” linking with Hanoi and North-East regions to ensure favourable development between existing and new large and modern enterprises and environment protection. It is also in preparation for and meeting the demand of TPP.
With advantages in land area, Bac Giang is applying preferential treatment for investment of hi-tech agriculture. Animal husbandry and aquaculture will be developed with high productivity, low cost and intensive processing for export. Yen The hill chicken and “walking chicken” will be developed to other areas.
To promote consumption, the Department has initiated, together with other departments and districts, two projects on consumption of agricultural products and material supply for agriculture, and two consumption channels for Yen The hill chicken.
Due to economic recession and constraints in export, how do you recommend the province and businesses to overcome difficulties?
In this regard, the Department has given high priority to keeping in touch with businesses and recommending local authorities to implement Resolution 02/NQ-CP of the Government on solutions to dismantle constraints in business activities. Consequently, 5 solution sets are underway:
- Focusing on removal of constraints to promote business activities: In early 2014, the Department has given guidance to related organisations and recommended the province on development of industry-trade sector, identifying constraints that must be removed on capital, consumption market, policy and mechanism.
- Opening up channels for home consumption and export: The Department has assisted businesses in market information, and matchmaking for production promotion and product consumption, recommending “Vietnamese giving priority for Vietnamese products”, “Sending more Vietnamese products to rural areas” and markets of Vietnamese products in mountainous areas.
- Increasing price control and assisting exports: The Department has advised businesses on maintaining markets, preventing trade fraud and facilitating trade flows in the domestic market.
- Attracting more investment in industry, infrastructure and trade: The Department has cooperated with economic groups and corporations in the development of infrastructure for industrial centres and markets and encouraged the early operation of new projects.
- Stepping up administrative reform in favour of businesses:The Department has assisted in administrative reform, shortening time in project processing, assigned staff members of at least five-year experience to process project proposals and return them earlier than the time-limit.
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