The conference was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation, to facilitate the involvement of a large number of delegates from Vietnamese trade offices abroad, relevant agencies and businesses from all 63 provinces and cities nationwide.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai emphasized that the processing and manufacturing industry has always been considered one of the key economic sectors, playing a driving role in driving economic growth, expanding production and business, and promoting trade and exports. In particular, some key processing and manufacturing industries such as textiles, footwear, and wood products have consistently maintained high and stable growth rates.

However, Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai stated that in the recent period, the global and regional situation continued to experience very complex and unpredictable developments, which significantly affected domestic production in general and industrial production in particular, especially key industries such as garment, footwear, and wood products.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai chaired the conference.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade's report, merchandise exports in July 2023 were estimated at US$29.68 billion, an increase of 0.8% compared to the previous month, but a decrease of 3.5% compared to the same period last year. For the first seven months of 2023, merchandise exports were estimated at US$194.73 billion, a decrease of 10.6% compared to the same period last year.

Currently, many industries are facing difficulties in export markets due to a decrease in global demand. Among them, industries such as textiles, footwear, wood, machinery, telephones and components, with their main export markets being the US and the European Union, have experienced the most significant declines. Specifically, in the first seven months of the year, total export value of wood and wood products reached US$7.2 billion, down 26.2% compared to the same period last year; total export value of textiles and garments reached US$18.9 billion, down 15.1%; and total export value of footwear reached US$11.7 billion, down 17.1%.

"In the context of the many challenges facing the Ministry of Industry and Trade both domestically and internationally, trade promotion continues to be identified as one of the important and effective solutions, contributing to improving the three drivers of growth: investment, exports, and consumption, through supporting businesses in developing production, expanding markets, and boosting exports," said Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai.

The scene at the conference.

At the conference, localities and associations presented proposals to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Vietnamese trade offices abroad regarding solutions related to trade promotion to support businesses in overcoming market difficulties in the textile, footwear, and wood industries.

Trade offices have provided updated information on import and export markets, and recommendations for businesses in market development and promotion activities. These offices have also incorporated feedback from associations and localities to develop more practical market support plans that are closely aligned with the needs of the business community, associations, and localities, thereby effectively fulfilling the tasks of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Text and photos: VU DUNG

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