(PLVN) - The Southeast is affirming its role as a national logistics center, with a system of 14,800 dynamic logistics enterprises, playing the backbone of the production, trade, import and export value chain, creating a driving force for private economic development.
The largest trade gateway in the country
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the industry, logistics in the Southeast region emerged like a giant gear shaft, helping to smoothly operate the private economic machine, bringing goods to spread throughout the regions and reach out to the world. In the colorful economic picture of this land, logistics is not only a connecting transmitter but also the "backbone" of the production-trade-import-export value chain, creating a strong lever for the private economy to break through.
Currently, the Southeast has about 14,800 logistics enterprises, accounting for nearly 50% of the country
The Southeast is favored by nature in a strategic location, converging all 5 modes of transportation: road, railway, waterway, air and sea. This is a "golden" land connecting domestic and international economies, playing a key role in the development of logistics and multimodal transportation services. With the Cai Mep - Thi Vai seaport system, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, expressways, North-South railway, National Highway 1A, Long Thanh International Airport, the Southeast region has become the logistics center of the country, where each container, each shipment is opened, paving the way for Vietnamese goods to all five continents.
Currently, the Southeast region has about 14,800 logistics enterprises, accounting for nearly 50% of the total number of logistics enterprises in the country, an impressive number, showing the dynamism, creativity and aspiration of the local private economy. These businesses are not only "berths" for goods but also important links in the global supply chain, serving industries, trade, agriculture and import and export.
In addition, the strong development of e-commerce and import and export has opened up golden opportunities for the logistics industry. The consumer market expands, the demand for freight transportation increases, leading to a boom in logistics services. Logistics centers, smart warehouses, multimodal transportation services, cross-border e-commerce... is becoming a "fertile land" to attract domestic and foreign logistics businesses.
Mr. Le Bach Long - Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial Business Association (left) said that preferential credit policies are needed so that small and medium-sized enterprises can easily access capital to modernize warehouses, means of transport and digital technology
Logistics is not only an independent service industry but also a "platform" connecting key economic sectors. Modern industrial parks in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau... are developing rapidly, the demand for logistics is increasing to transport raw materials, components, and finished products. A modern logistics system helps businesses shorten delivery times, optimize inventory, reduce operating costs, thereby improving the competitiveness of the whole region.
In particular, logistics also plays a strategic role in trade and import and export. With export turnover accounting for more than 30% of the country, the Southeast is a "transshipment station" for export goods. The reduction of logistics costs will help Vietnamese product prices be more competitive, expand market share and affirm the country's position in the international market.
Overcoming challenges, reaching out to the international level
However, the Southeast logistics industry still faces many challenges. High logistics costs (about 20% of GDP, nearly 2 times higher than that of developed countries) are "corroding" the profits of businesses. The infrastructure connecting between modes of transport is not synchronized; traffic congestion on main roads such as National Highway 1A, National Highway 51, and unfinished ring roads are disrupting logistics flows.
In addition, high-quality human resources are lacking, digital skills and management have not met the requirements, making the competitiveness of small and medium-sized logistics enterprises not commensurate with the potential. The connection between transportation modes is still not really close, and the lack of high-quality multimodal transportation services makes it difficult for businesses to make optimal use of the supply chain. In particular, customs procedures and international transport documents are cumbersome, causing time and cost for businesses.
Cai Mep-Thi Vai port connecting Long Thanh airport will fully converge advantages to develop into a logistics center of the Southeast region and the whole country.
To solve the above bottlenecks, the Southeast logistics industry needs to be developed synchronously in the overall regional economy, closely associated with industries, agriculture and trade and services. The implementation of Resolution 24-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of the Southeast region and the Central Resolutions on infrastructure breakthrough, digital transformation, and institutional reform is the key foundation, opening up opportunities for logistics breakthroughs.
In the immediate future, it is necessary to accelerate the progress of key infrastructure projects such as Long Thanh airport, Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, expressways connecting the region; developing modern logistics centers and ICDs. At the same time, it is necessary to focus on training high-quality logistics human resources, linking training with business practices and market demand, promoting the application of digital technology and green logistics to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Mr. Le Bach Long - Chairman of Dong Nai Provincial Business Association said: "In order for logistics to truly become a driving force for private economic development in the Southeast region, it is necessary to prioritize removing infrastructure bottlenecks and administrative procedures. In particular, it is necessary to have appropriate credit policies so that small and medium-sized enterprises can easily access investment capital to modernize warehouses, means of transport and digital technology. At the same time, it is necessary to promote regional linkages, develop cross-border logistics chains, and help businesses reach out to the international market more sustainably."
In the midst of intertwined opportunities and challenges, logistics in the Southeast region is facing a historical turning point. With the foundation of 14,800 dynamic logistics enterprises, and the drastic direction of the central and local governments, logistics will certainly become the "golden key" to make the Southeast region a national logistics center, promote a breakthrough in the private economy, and contribute positively to the country's economic development.
