Trade promotion activities in 2024 with many impressive breakthroughs

In 2024, with many innovative solutions, trade promotion activities achieved many positive results, expanding both domestic and export markets.

Many new trade promotion activities are being organized for the first time.

On the afternoon of December 30th, the Trade Promotion Department ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ) held a conference to summarize its work in 2024 and outline its tasks for 2025. This was an opportunity for the Department to comprehensively assess the results achieved during the year, especially the effective support provided to businesses in connecting, exploring, and expanding export markets and developing the domestic market.

Speaking at the conference, Director of the Trade Promotion Department Vu Ba Phu stated that in 2024, amidst numerous challenges and unpredictable developments in the global economy , Vietnam's economy continued to be a bright spot in the global economic landscape. Under the decisive leadership of the Minister of Industry and Trade, the attention of the ministry's leaders, the active coordination of relevant units and the system of trade promotion organizations from the central to local levels, and with strong innovations, trade promotion activities have made a significant contribution to the overall development of the entire industry and trade sector.

In particular, according to the Director, over the past year, the close coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant ministries and agencies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment , the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, etc., has brought about a synergistic and positive impact on each other in the promotion sector.

"The conference is also an opportunity for us to exchange information, find best practices, and further enhance the effectiveness of trade promotion activities. In particular, based on feedback from associations and industries on topics such as policy mechanisms, organizational forms of agencies and units involved in trade promotion activities, and forms of support related to trade promotion, the Department will continue to make proposals with the goal of working alongside units to further promote the effectiveness of trade promotion activities in the future," said the Director of the Trade Promotion Department.

Director of the Trade Promotion Department Vu Ba Phu delivered a speech at the conference.

At the conference, according to the report of the Trade Promotion Department, trade promotion activities achieved many outstanding results in the past year. These include the decentralization and delegation of authority, and the simplification of administrative procedures in the field of trade promotion to facilitate organizations and businesses, which have been implemented synchronously and effectively.

"Accordingly, Decree No. 128/2024/ND-CP has simplified 10 administrative procedures related to promotional activities and trade fairs and exhibitions, and is expected to reduce the number of administrative procedure dossiers related to promotions by more than 100,000 per year and cut administrative compliance costs for businesses by over 90%," the report stated.

Furthermore, a highlight of 2024 was the implementation of many new trade promotion activities for the first time, effectively supporting businesses in increasing exports in Vietnam's strong sectors. Simultaneously, these activities contributed to diversifying trade promotion channels to support businesses in promoting and introducing their products, and connecting with foreign partners and businesses, such as: the first Vietnam International Textile and Garment Technology Exhibition – VIATT 2024, the Vietnam Fruit Festival in China, the 3rd Global E-commerce Fair in China, and the OCOPEX Export Exhibition of OCOP products.

Regarding brand development, especially national brands, efforts have been intensified. Accordingly, in the 9th National Brand Selection Round in 2024, 359 products from 190 businesses were recognized as national brands, representing a 10.5% increase in both the number of products and the number of businesses compared to the 8th selection round. This demonstrates that Vietnamese businesses are increasingly focused on brand development and are continuously improving the quality of Vietnamese products to participate more deeply in the global value chain.

Trade promotion efforts to foster green economic development are being prioritized and implemented through various activities such as: the Green Economy Forum and Exhibition 2024 (GEFE 2024) with the theme "Creating a Green Future", the Export Promotion Forum 2024 with the theme "Promoting Green Exports", the Announcement Ceremony of National Branded Products in 2024 with the theme "Reaching into the Green Era"... aiming to raise awareness and contribute to promoting green economic development, green transformation, and contributing to restructuring the economy associated with innovation in growth models, in order to achieve economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social equity, towards successfully achieving the Net Zero goal by 2050.

Delegates attending the conference

Besides the advantages, the Trade Promotion Department also pointed out existing difficulties affecting trade promotion activities, such as the limited state budget resources allocated to trade promotion, and the fact that the financial support mechanism for trade promotion activities has not been adjusted in a timely manner by the competent authority (Ministry of Finance), leading to certain difficulties in implementation.

The organizational model for trade promotion agencies at the local level across the country is not standardized, causing difficulties for trade promotion agencies at both the central and local levels in coordinating and linking the implementation of trade promotion activities and supporting businesses, associations, and industries.

The Trade Promotion Department is implementing five key solutions.

According to Resolution No. 158/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly on the Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2025, the National Assembly sets the goal for 2025 as a year of acceleration, breakthrough, and achievement; continuing to prioritize promoting growth based on maintaining macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, and ensuring major balances of the economy; striving to achieve the highest possible results for the targets and indicators of the 5-year Socio-Economic Development Plan 2021-2025, including a target of a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of approximately 6.5-7.0% and striving for approximately 7.0-7.5%; GDP per capita reaching approximately US$4,900;…

Accordingly, to build upon the trade promotion achievements of 2024 and to lay the groundwork for elevating trade promotion activities to meet the requirements of the new context, the Director of the Trade Promotion Department, Vu Ba Phu, stated that the Department will focus on implementing several key solutions and tasks for 2025 as follows:

Firstly, we must continue to thoroughly study, understand, and seriously and effectively implement the Party's guidelines, the National Assembly's resolutions, and the Government's and Ministry of Industry and Trade's directives on reforming and improving the effectiveness of trade promotion.

At the conference, representatives from associations and localities exchanged and shared information to promote the trade promotion network in the coming period.

Secondly, strengthen export promotion by effectively utilizing free trade agreements to diversify markets and supply chains; consolidate and expand market share in traditional markets; and create breakthroughs in expanding into new, potential export markets.

Thirdly, focus on promoting imports and diversifying import markets to ensure the supply of inputs for domestic production and export. Simultaneously, promote effective investment in the Industry and Trade sector, support localities, industrial parks, and domestic enterprises in receiving technology transfer, gradually mastering advanced science and technology, innovating, and proactively participating in sustainable international supply chains.

Fourth, strengthen the provision of advice and updated information on market trends, changes in trade policies, standards, regulations, and consumer preferences of importing markets. This will contribute to creating a proactive position and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses when accessing international markets.

Fifth, continue to enhance the capacity of businesses through training activities in trade promotion skills, application of information technology in trade promotion, green transformation, digital transformation, eco-design, and circular economy; support businesses in developing green and circular economy products to effectively participate in global value chains.

In 2024, the National Trade Promotion Program supported nearly 6,000 businesses, cooperatives, and trade promotion organizations to participate and benefit; the total value of contracts signed directly at international trade events reached nearly 100 million USD; sales at regional fairs and exhibitions reached hundreds of billions of VND, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors and shoppers.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/hoat-dong-xuc-tien-thuong-mai-nam-2024-voi-nhieu-dot-pha-an-tuong-367063.html