FOCUS
The Minister of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Commercial Counselors in 67 countries and Eurocham, associations and international experts in an online and offline at November Forum on Vietnam Export Promotion 2022, with the theme “Green Export Promotion”
Shifting to green production and exports would help businesses improve their competitiveness and catch up with global market trends, the 2022 Vietnam Export Promotion Forum has heard.
Speaking at the forum in HCM City on Monday, 28th November 2022, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said green growth and circular economy were becoming global trends as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.
Major import markets were imposing high taxes on products with large “carbon footprints” and many developed economies had set stricter environmental regulations for imports, he said.
So exporting countries like Vietnam needed to change their mindset to pay more attention to the “greenness” of their supply chain and trade, he said.
“For Vietnam, shifting to a green economy and green growth is not only inevitable but also an opportunity to become a pioneer in the region in catching up with the global trend, contributing to realising the National Green Growth Strategy for 2021-30 and Vietnam’s strong commitment at the UN Climate Change Conference,” he said.
Vietnam has issued mechanisms and policies to encourage the development of a green economy, a circular economy and an environment-friendly economy.
“Many industries and businesses have grasped the green trend and made drastic changes in their production chain to meet the standards of green production and green and sustainable exports, helping improve their competitiveness and that of Vietnamese exports.
“Our country’s foreign trade activities continue to achieve outstanding results, making an important contribution to bringing Vietnam into the group of 20 leading economies in terms of international trade with total imports and exports in the first 10 months of 2022 reaching nearly US$620 billion and is expected to reach $750 billion for the whole year, up 16 per cent over 2021.
However, global trade was under pressure due to geopolitical tensions, inflation, disruption risk in supply chains and others, he said.
This required closer and more effective co-ordination between ministries, sectors, localities and industry trade groups and Vietnamese trade offices abroad to update information about markets and new regulations and policies in other countries, he said.
Bartosz Cieleszynski, deputy head of the trade section of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said: “It is without a doubt that Vietnam can reap many benefits from application and promotion of green technologies. Trade in green tech and sustainable products has become a prevailing trend in developed economies.
Mr. Vu Ba Phu – General Director of the Trade Promotion Agency also commented: Previously, green and sustainable standards were only seen in the high-end segments, but now they have become common requirements across every segment, every market. Green growth, green development, circular economy is becoming a global trend and is being practiced fiercely in the most developed economies in the world such as the European market.
The forum, which had the theme ‘Green Export Promotion,’ was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam as part of the 2022 Green Economy Forum & Exhibition.
Source: moit.gov.vn and vietnamnews.vn
Festival promotes ecosystem of enterprises manufacturing Vietnamese goods
A festival entitled “Pride of Vietnamese goods – Quintessence of Vietnamese goods” officially opened at Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi, on October 29.
The annual event is a key activity of the Programme to identify Vietnamese goods in 2022, under the Project on developing the domestic market in association with the “Vietnamese people give priority to using Vietnamese goods” campaign during the 2021-2025 period.
With the message of “building an ecosystem of businesses manufacturing and trading Vietnamese goods”, this year’s festival attracted nearly 100 units from large production and distribution corporations and cooperatives, as well as small production households in mountainous, remote and island areas.
Speaking at the opening of the festival, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai, said the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the enterprises, people’s lives, supply chains, production and distribution of goods in Vietnam in particular and the world in general.
However, that was a special time witnessing the intense vitality of Vietnamese goods, as well as the important role of the domestic market in Vietnam’s economy and the growth of retail sales being the bright spot, he added.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to grasp and closely follow the guidelines of the Central Steering Committee of the “Vietnamese people give priority to using Vietnamese goods” campaign and coordinate with the members of the Steering Committee and localities in planning and implementation. The Ministry will also continue to promote reform of administrative procedures.
Source: nhandan.vn
Embassy promotes trade links between Vietnam, Italy’s Emilia Romagna region
Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung has paid a working visit to the northern region of Emilia Romagna, which now accounts for more than 50% of the European country’s total export value to Vietnam, and attended a series of networking events between the local authorities and firms and their Vietnamese partners.
During the visit, taking place on November 8 and 9, the diplomat addressed a workshop that promoted investment cooperation between Binh Phuoc province in southern Vietnam and the Italian region.
He highlighted factors that contribute to Vietnam’s attraction to investors, including political stability, a golden workforce, a favourable business environment and benefits from the 15 free trade agreements that Vietnam is a member, including the EVFTA.
The ambassador recommended that Italian firms can invest in sectors suitable to Binh Phuoc’s attention and Emilia Romagna’s strength such as environmentally friendly high technology, financial service, logistics, support industries, industry, and high-tech agriculture.
Hung stated the embassy considers economic diplomacy a top priority and is willing to accompany and assist Vietnamese and Italian localities and enterprises in tapping potential of each other’s market and business-investment opportunities.
Meeting with Matteo Lepore, mayor of the region’s capital Bologna, the ambassador said the Vietnam-Italy traditional friendship and strategic partnership lay the basis for Vietnam and Bologna to team up in the sectors of small- and medium-sized enterprises, machine building, high-tech production, and high-quality human resources training.
Lepore affirmed the city’s willingness to accompany local business delegation to visit Vietnam seeking investment and trade opportunities and agreed to support the embassy’s organisation of cultural and economic activities in Bologna next year – when Vietnam and Italy will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
While in the region, Hung visited President of the Italy-ASEAN Association Romano Prodi, who vowed to do his best in contribution to the development of Vietnam’s ties with Italy and the EU.
Hung proposed the official, who is also former President of the European Commission (EC) and former Prime Minister of Italy, help speed up Italy’s ratification of the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), the EC’s removal of its yellow card for Vietnamese seafood, and implement a number of initiatives within the framework of the Italy – ASEAN development partnership.
Source: VNA
Hanoi addresses shortcomings in urban planning
The Hanoi People’s Committee has issued a plan to address shortcomings during its planning process.
The move is part of the efforts to realize the city’s construction planning until 2030, with a vision for 2050.
According to the plan, in recent months, Hanoi has been focusing on drafting and revising different urban plans, from the overall planning to the zoning and detailed plan, which would serve as the basis for infrastructure development projects.
“Effective planning is essential for urban- and land management, eventually supporting the socio-economic development,” said the plan.
In this regard, the city has tightened the planning approval and appraisal, seen as a pivotal task to improve the quality of planning, urban design, and architectural works.
To address the issues, the Hanoi People’s Committee is expected to focus on finalizing the legal framework for planning and architecture for greater transparency, efficiency, and consistency.
“The quality of planning should meet the rising demand for urban management and development in Hanoi,” noted the plan.
The city expects to build a single database on planning-architecture-construction and urban development, apply the geographic information system and digital technologies in planning, and set up an online portal on planning for public access.
The planning for Hanoi in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, would include the analysis and forecast based on the characteristics of Hanoi, the assessment of the current progress of socio-economic development, the use of land resources, a system of urban and rural structure, and the factors required for Hanoi to strengthen linkages with provinces/cities in the capital area.
Source: hanoitimes.vn
ECONOMY
Vietnam a bright spot amid global slowdown: IMF chief
Despite the current global economic downturn, Vietnam remains a bright spot in the region with high GDP growth, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said.
Vietnam has an open and dynamic economy that remains resilient through the Covid-19 pandemic, she said at a meeting with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on the sideline of the 2022 APEC summit in Bangkok on Saturday.
“The continued acceleration of structural reform and the transition to a green growth model brings new impetus to the Vietnamese economy,” she added.
In the first nine months of the year, Vietnam’s GDP grew by 8.83% and it is forecast to reach 8% this year while many regional countries’ economic growth slowed down and entered recession.
The IMF chief hoped that Vietnam would continue to contribute to the global agenda of transforming growth models and ensuring supply chains.
Phuc said that in the context of a changing global economy, high inflation rate and economic growth slowdown in many countries, ensuring food and energy security faces many difficulties.
“Vietnam, the IMF and other countries must strengthen coordination in order to effectively deal with these issues,” Phuc added.
Kristalina committed to promoting support and advice for Vietnam in economic management, innovating the growth model and accepting the invitation of the president to visit Vietnam next year.
The same day, Phuc and his delegation left Bangkok to return home, wrapping up their official visit to Thailand and attendance of the 29th APEC Summit Week and related conferences.
Source: vnexpress.ne
COFFEE
Vietnam’s coffee exports to Italy increased by 35% over the same period last year
According to statistics of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Vietnam has shipped nearly 1.5 million tonnes of coffee worth about 3.2 billion USD so far this year, with an average export price of 2,283 USD a tonne, up 21 percent year-on-year.
Analysts believe export turnover in the coffee industry will grow 30-40 percent this year as the world adapts to Covid-19, with demand substantial while supply is declining. The export price may reach 2,400-2,600 USD a tonne, with momentum lasting into 2023.
Germany is the largest importer of Vietnamese coffee, with 12 percent of value, followed by Belgium and Italy.
According to the analysis of the Vietnam Commercial Office in Italy, in the first 10 months of 2022, Vietnam exported more than 9 thousand tons of coffee to Italy, with a value of 255 million USD, up 35% over the same period in 2021. Italy is a huge coffee consumer, both exporting and importing coffee. Italy imports coffee mainly from Brazil and Vietnam, then it is processed in the Italian style and exported to many other countries around the world.
Source: VNA and Vietnam Commercial Office
RICE
Vietnam 2022 rice exports to rise to 6.3-6.5 mln tonne
Vietnam’s rice exports are expected to rise to 6.3 million-6.5 million tonnes this year from 6.24 million tonnes last year on strong demand, the chairman of the country’s food association said on Tuesday.
“So far this year, exports have risen strongly, and we expect to see the momentum continue for the rest of the year,” Nguyen Ngoc Nam, chair of Vietnam Food Association, told Reuters.
Vietnam, the world’s third-largest rice exporter, reported a 19% year-on-year increase in its rice shipments in the first eight months this year, to 4.7 million tonnes.
Export prices of Vietnamese rice are also expected to rise during the coming months on higher production costs and because adverse weather conditions in several rice-growing countries hurt production, Nam said.
“Production cost, especially fertilizer prices, has recently risen sharply amid global inflationary pressure,” he said. “We are seeing severe droughts and floods in several countries, such as China, India and in some European countries, and this may affect global food supplies”.
According to the statistics from the ITC, Italy imported rice in 2021 with a value of 193 million USD, of which Vietnam exports to Italy in 2021 is 6 million USD, accounting for only 3.2% of Italy’s import market share. According to the analysis of the Vietnam Trade Office in Italy, rice exports from Vietnam to Italy in 2022 have prospered. In the first half of 2022, Vietnam exported to Italy 10.3 million USD, tripled compared to the same period in 2021, accounting for 6% of Italy’s import market share from countries around the world. Italy’s main rice import markets include: Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia.
Source: Reuters and The Commercial Office
CULTURE
International experimental theatre festival to feature 21 plays
The fifth International Experimental Theatre Festival is underway from November 15 to 26, featuring 21 plays from 21 domestic and international art units.
In addition to 15 domestic art units in many forms, the festival has also attracted the participation of six international art troupes from Italy, the Republic of Korea, Poland, Singapore, Pakistan, and India.
The opening ceremony of the festival was held at the Youth Theatre in Hanoi and the closing ceremony will take place at the Dai Nam Theatre in the capital.
Twenty-one plays will be introduced at venues in Hanoi and Hai Phong, including the Youth Theatre, the Dai Nam Theatre, the Workers’ Theatre, the Army Theatre, the Hai Phong August Theatre, the Hai Phong Theatre, and the Children’s Cultural Palace in Hai Phong.
As well as plays, six conferences will be held during the festival, assessing the creative values of the plays in particular and the festival in general.
The festival offers an opportunity for experts and artists to meet and exchange their experiences and access the essence of theatrical art around the world.
Source: VNA
TRADE FAIR AND EVENTS
VIMEXPO Exhibition 2022 – A 3-year journey with the mission of “Connecting for development”
From November 16 to 18, 2022, the 3rd international exhibition took place at I.C.E Hanoi International Exhibition Center on supporting industries and manufacturing processing in Vietnam – VIMEXPO 2022.
With the goal “Connecting for development” VIMEXPO 2022 continues to be a bridge to help Vietnam’s supporting industry enterprises step by step participate more deeply in the global value chain.
The program is directed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the leading role is the Center for Industry Development Support – Industry Department – Ministry of Industry and Trade, with the organizer being C.I.S Advertising and Exhibition Company.
Speaking at the exhibition’s opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Association of Support Industries Businesses (HANSIBA) Nguyen Van said: “This event is an opportunity for the capital’s enterprises to seek foreign partners, enabling them to participate in global production networks and value chains.
On an area of almost 5,000 square meters, the exhibition displays nearly 300 booths of more than 200 companies representing the automotive industry, equipment, and spare parts. The exhibition is organized into four main sectors: the mechanical manufacturing sector, automotive manufacturing and assembly, the high-tech industry, electronics, and related industries.
Pham Tuan Anh, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said the event is expected to create opportunities for exchanging and sharing experiences among agencies, organizations, associations, sectors, and enterprises operating in manufacturing and supporting industries, helping businesses promote products, technologies and find investment opportunities.
At the exhibition, many participating companies were interested in new production technologies and the manufacturing process’s digitalization to improve the products’ professionalism and quality.
Source: moit.gov.vn and hanoitimes.vn
Vietnam Foodexpo 2022
Vietnam Foodexpo 2022 took place successfully at Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC) from November 16 to 19, 2022.
Vietnam Foodexpo 2022 has attracted more than 400 famous food suppliers nationwide and nearly 20 countries around the world and a large number of guests to attend the event.
Vietnam Foodexpo is the No.1 international trade show in Vietnam endorsed by the Government and hosted by Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam with its ultimate mission of promoting and connecting the Vietnamese food industry and the world.
Source: moit.gov.vn
The Commercial Office cordially invites businesses and associations to participate in the following forum/seminar and events:
TRADE OPPORTUNITIES
– Vietnamese enterprises would like to find Italian importers:
– Vietnamese importer looking for chocolate, confectionery production lines.
– Italian supermarket chain of hundreds of stores looking for producers of:
– Italian enterprise would like to find Vietnamese exporters: all kinds of remotes (TV, fan, air conditioner remotes…); agricultural production machinery;