Experts analyzed the opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese exporters, thereby suggesting potentials and solutions for market development, access to financial resources and logistics fluctuations.
The international market is opening up many opportunities but also challenging. How can small and medium-sized enterprises "cross the ladder" and conquer new heights?
The answer was shared by experts, representatives of management agencies and businesses themselves who are "rolling" in the market, at the seminar "Promoting import and export - What solution for small and medium-sized enterprises?" organized by the Center for Small and Medium Enterprises, Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Provincial Industrial Park Management Board Hung Yen, November 15.
Sketching the "picture" of exports
Here, more than 100 small and medium-sized import-export enterprises have "consulted" and found a way out for export activities.
The "picture" of the import and export situation has been clearly sketched. According to Ms. Tran Thi Thanh Tam, Director of the Center for Small and Medium Enterprises Support, free trade agreements (such as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) have created strong export growth momentum for Vietnam to major markets such as the United States, European Union (EU), China, Japan, South Korea.
"This trend is expected to continue in 2024 and 2025, especially in FTA and EU markets. This is a potential direction for Vietnamese exports," Ms. Tam emphasized
According to the General Statistics Office, import and export turnover in the first 10 months of 2024 reached 647.87 billion USD, up 15.8% over the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 23.31 billion USD. Specifically, the seven main export groups are electronics, computers and components, phones and components, machinery, equipment, textiles and garments, footwear, wood and wood products, means of transport and spare parts) accounting for 66.5% of the total export turnover. Particularly for Hung Yen province, Ms. Tam said that there are many items that have been exported to foreign markets, especially processed agricultural products such as cages, pharmaceuticals, electronic products, components, motorcycle parts and garment products...
VCCI's representative acknowledged that export turnover to major markets is recovering positively. However, Ms. Tam also warned about "underground waves" threatening export activities at the end of 2024 and 2025.
"Despite achieving many positive results, in the last months of 2024, export activities in general and exports to key markets such as Europe and the Americas in particular will continue to have both advantages and challenges. Especially in the context of world geopolitical developments continuing to be complicated, unpredictable, with many difficulties, challenges, risk factors and uncertainties. Especially geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, natural disasters, climate change continue to have a heavy impact... has slowed down the pace of economic recovery, global economic growth, trade and investment," Ms. Tam said.
Warning about technical "rules of the game"
The internal challenges of businesses were also pointed out by the delegates at the workshop, in which the current dilemma is access to capital.
Ms. Tam frankly said: "VCCI organizes this seminar to help small and medium-sized enterprises access information and support solutions, especially smart financial solutions, to help optimize costs and ensure stable business operations in the face of unpredictable fluctuations."
Discussing the challenges of the economy for Vietnam's exporters today, Mr. Nguyen Anh Duong, Head of the General Research Department, Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM) emphasized the trend of sustainable development, as well as the increase in trade measures in many markets... Meanwhile, the green transformation process of Vietnamese businesses is still relatively slow, affecting the ability to adapt to sustainable development regulations in some key markets. In addition, access to capital along the value chain is not common in Vietnam, manufacturing enterprises still rely mainly on the credit of the commercial banking system, while capital mobilization through the stock market is still modest.
"Moreover, it is difficult to access foreign currency loans to import inputs and raw materials for export production. The current legal regulations only focus on some forms such as factoring, letters of credit,..., which are also challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises are facing," Mr. Duong said.
Therefore, Mr. Duong suggested that businesses need to actively learn about new regulations in markets and set out response plans, research and implement new business models (circular economy, digital economy,...), strengthen the sharing of experiences to adapt to trends, etc new regulations (Carbon Border Regulation Mechanism, EU Anti-Deforestation Regulation, personal data protection,...). From there, businesses propose appropriate technical support from partners.
After updating the import and export situation, context and trends of international trade, Mr. Tran Thanh Hai, Deputy Director of the Import and Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, pointed out that foreign manufacturers and also Chinese manufacturers are also actively looking for overseas production facilities to diversify their supply chains. risk diversification.
Regarding the outlook for 2025, Mr. Hai forecasts that import and export will maintain good growth momentum thanks to a stable world market, reduced inflation, recovery in demand, stable domestic production, good FDI attraction and effective FTAs. However, he also warned about new "technical barriers" such as quality, safety, environment, labor standards and the risk of trade remedies.
In order to take advantage of opportunities and limit challenges, Mr. Hai recommends small and medium-sized enterprises to develop long-term business orientations and plans, focus on competition, promote trade promotion, and take advantage of the State's support. Businesses need to learn and take advantage of FTAs, invest in improving human resources, apply digital technology, proactively plan for risks and be vigilant against international trade fraud.
Here, Mr. Ngo Khac Le, Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Logistics Service Enterprises (VLA) also recommended that businesses use flexible warehousing services, apply bonded warehouses, common warehouses, ensure sustainability, transform to green production technology, optimize transportation routes, etc manage supply chain risks, increase the rate of logistics outsourcing and cooperate with partners.
In addition, the representative of VietinBank shared about programs and interest rate packages to support businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises and import-export enterprises. Specific information about these support packages will help businesses access capital more conveniently, contributing to promoting export activities./.
