Diversify markets, create momentum to promote export growth

Must continue to consider export as the spearhead

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien chaired the conference. The conference was also attended by representatives of the Departments of Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Environment, and Finance of localities; representatives of the Departments, Divisions, and units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade; and more than 58 Vietnamese trade offices in markets around the world.

In addition, the conference was also attended by representatives of industry associations, trade promotion units, relevant ministries and branches such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien chaired the Conference. Photo: Can Dung

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said that in the context of the country having just experienced a series of important events, the Industry and Trade sector is also facing increasingly high demands from the Party and State on economic development tasks. In particular, the economic growth target for 2025 is set at 8.3 - 8.5%, creating a foundation for striving to achieve double-digit growth rates from 2026 onwards.

“Therefore, today’s conference is of special importance. We will exchange and discuss to find practical solutions to fulfill the goals assigned by the Party and State,” Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized.

To grasp the current demand in large markets, potential markets, as well as difficult markets, the units reported the production and import-export situation in the first 8 months of the year, the growth scenario of import-export turnover in the last months of 2025. At the same time, propose solutions to diversify markets, export products, and diversify import supply sources to promote growth in import-export turnover in 2025-2026.

Director of the Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu speaks at the conference. Photo: Can Dung

Reporting on the import-export situation, Director of the Trade Promotion Agency Vu Ba Phu said that the trade picture in the first 8 months of 2025 showed many remarkable bright spots. Total import-export turnover reached nearly 305 billion USD, up 14.4% over the same period in 2024, an impressive result in the context of the global economy still having many uncertainties, trade conflicts and geopolitical fluctuations strongly affecting the international supply chain.

Notably, the FDI sector continued to play a key role with 228 billion USD, up over 18%, while domestic enterprises reached 76.5 billion USD, up 3%. This shows that the FDI sector's resilience is still outstanding, but also reflects the limitations in the competitiveness of domestic enterprises.

By product group, Vietnamese agricultural products continue to maintain growth momentum in some key products. In terms of markets, exports to many regions recorded outstanding results such as the Americas and the United States. In Europe, many emerging markets recorded impressive growth such as Norway and Slovakia. The Asian region, Hong Kong (China), and India also increased strongly... showing the great potential of these markets if there is a suitable exploitation strategy.

Vietnamese trade offices abroad, associations, industries, and localities attended the online conference. Photo: Can Dung

From the results achieved, the Minister of Industry and Trade acknowledged that this achievement not only reflects the flexibility of enterprises, but also shows the decisive participation of the entire political system. From the direction of the Government, the coordination of ministries, branches, localities to the persistent efforts of associations and the business community. All have created a driving force for Vietnamese goods to maintain their position in the international trade flow.

"This is the result of the consensus of the entire political system, the timely participation of ministries, branches, localities and especially the outstanding efforts of the business community and industry associations," Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized.

However, behind the positive figures are still long-term concerns. The global economy still has potential instability from geopolitical tensions, strategic competition between major powers, increasingly strict trade policies of the United States, or the risk of supply chain disruption. With an economy that is among the most open in the world, Vietnam cannot avoid the impact. Therefore, to achieve the export target of 12% increase for the whole year, the last four months of the year need to bring in at least 150 billion USD, equivalent to more than 37.5 billion USD per month, a challenging number.

Representatives of associations share opinions at the conference. Photo: Can Dung

At the conference, representatives of associations also pointed out the difficulties and challenges of industries, localities and enterprises in developing and diversifying import and export markets. At the same time, they proposed solutions to overcome difficulties and ensure sustainable export growth. According to associations and industries, in addition to focusing on market diversification, Vietnam needs to renew its approach to traditional markets.

Sharing at the conference, representatives of trade offices informed about the market as well as great opportunities for Vietnamese goods to expand their market share. In particular, the trade offices also pointed out the challenges regarding product quality and competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in key markets, and at the same time made many practical recommendations to promote sustainable export of goods in the new period, especially solutions for Vietnamese goods to maintain their market share.

Diversify the market, improve business resilience

Concluding the conference, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that to maintain export growth in an uncertain context, there must be synchronous coordination between the State, the trade system, industry associations and localities.

According to Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, it is necessary to promote the particularly important role of the Vietnamese trade office system abroad. In this "sprint" period, the trade office must become an "extended arm" of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, a pioneering force to grasp the market, promptly report and make policy recommendations, and directly support businesses in expanding trade opportunities.

The Minister clearly analyzed that to achieve the growth target, market classification and implementation of specific tasks are key requirements. For markets with negative growth, the trade office must quickly find the cause, restore orders and remove barriers. For low-growth markets, the task is to promote exports by at least 8.5%. For the medium-growth market, it is necessary to maintain the growth momentum and raise it to 12%. Meanwhile, the high-growth group must continue to play the role of "locomotive", striving for over 15% to pull the entire turnover up.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. Photo: Can Dung

Not stopping at opening up the market, the Minister also emphasized the need to improve the resilience of businesses. Accordingly, businesses need to boldly participate in the digital trade promotion ecosystem, proactively diversify supply chains and raw material sources, invest in green technology and traceability. Industry associations must become a connecting point, provide timely information, orient the market and support members in building their brands.

"Only when businesses have enough internal strength can we move deeper into the global value chain, without being dependent on a few traditional markets," Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized.

In addition, the Minister also requested ministries and branches, especially the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate closely to remove obstacles for businesses. Solutions from tax, credit, quarantine and inspection policies to FTA negotiation must all be implemented synchronously and promptly.

For localities, the Minister requested to consider export targets as one of the key tasks in the socio-economic development plan, focusing on removing difficulties for agricultural and fishery enterprises and promoting digital transformation in trade promotion and logistics.

"We must consider export targets as a key task in the socio-economic development plan. We must proactively receive and share information from trade deals, remove difficulties for businesses, develop raw material areas that meet international standards, and promote digital transformation in trade promotion and logistics," the Minister emphasized.

At the conference, representatives of the units made many practical contributions, contributing to promoting the export growth target. Photo: Can Dung

In addition, the Minister also requested localities to focus on removing practical difficulties for businesses, especially in the agricultural and aquatic sectors, from credit, production premises to export procedures and quality certification. Regional linkages need to be promoted, associated with the development of raw material areas that meet international standards such as GlobalGAP, ASC or BAP, ensuring traceability and green production.

At the same time, localities must strongly promote digital transformation in trade promotion and logistics, support businesses to participate in cross-border e-commerce, and exploit logistics centers to reduce costs and shorten delivery times.

At the same time, the Minister assigned specific tasks to functional units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The Department of Foreign Market Development, the Department of Multilateral Trade Policy and the Import-Export Department were assigned to advise and make the most of the 17 signed FTAs, while accelerating the negotiation process of new trade agreements with the GCC, SACU, Egypt, Pakistan... to open up more room for exports. The Department of Planning and Finance is responsible for advising on resource balance and budget allocation for trade promotion activities.

In particular, the Trade Promotion Agency is assigned the responsibility of coordinating and innovating promotion activities in a direction that closely follows market practices and business needs. The Agency will implement large-scale programs in key markets such as the EU, the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea, while focusing on exploiting niche markets and new markets. This agency is also assigned the task of promoting trade promotion associated with strategic product groups such as semiconductors, AI, renewable energy, and urgently completing the Project to organize the annual National Industry - Trade - Consumer Fair at the Vietnam Exhibition Center, creating a channel for promoting trade and investment of international stature.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed: In the context of many fluctuations in the world, to maintain the growth rate, the trade office system must be an extension of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, accompanying businesses and industry associations. Only with unity can we bring Vietnam's exports to new heights.

Author: Linh Ngoc

Source: https://moit.gov.vn/tin-tuc/hoat-dong/hoat-dong-cua-lanh-dao-bo/da-dang-hoa-thi-truong-tao-dong-luc-thuc-day-tang-truong-xuat-khau.html