NTO - Trade Development

Looking back at 2023, despite many difficulties, with the determination and efforts of the Department of Industry and Trade, businesses, production and trading establishments, and commercial and service activities, there have been many positive developments, contributing to the economic development of the province.

The province currently has many relatively large-scale businesses and commercial centers such as: Vincom Shopping Center, Co.opmart Thanh Ha supermarket, Winmart supermarket, Phan Rang market, Thap Cham market, Dien May Xanh Ninh Thuan, The Gioi Di Dong (Mobile World) , Cho Lon electronics supermarket, and convenience store chains like Bach Hoa Xanh and Winmart... basically serving the shopping needs of the people well. The wholesale and retail store system has developed widely, covering even rural areas. The strong and well-directed development of these business types has contributed to the formation of a synchronized commercial network, promoting trade and ensuring continued stable growth.

Consumers choose products to buy at WinMart supermarket. Photo: PN

Throughout the year, numerous supply-demand matching and trade promotion programs were organized, and consumer stimulus programs were actively implemented by commercial enterprises. According to the Department of Industry and Trade, among the province's economic development indicators, the trade and service sector showed many positive signs. All consumer goods and services groups experienced higher growth rates compared to the same period last year. By the end of 2023, total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue reached VND 38,014 billion, an increase of 15.8% compared to the same period in 2022; of which, total retail sales of goods reached VND 28,838.1 billion, an increase of 13.3%; and service revenue reached VND 9,175.9 billion, an increase of 24.6%.

Alongside traditional trade activities, e-commerce is also gradually being realized, contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the province. Investment in information technology infrastructure is prioritized; cashless payment methods are becoming widespread, helping shopping centers, supermarkets, and businesses keep pace with the general trend of society. In particular, the Department of Industry and Trade focuses on connecting the province's e-commerce platform with other e-commerce platforms, basically meeting the needs of consumption and production in the area.

Maintaining and operating the e-commerce platform sanphamninhthuan.vn; supporting businesses and enterprises in applying e-commerce to participate in domestic and international e-commerce platforms to export to markets of countries that have signed FTAs and Halal markets such as: Alibaba, Amazon, Lazada, Tiki, Sendo, Shopee, Voso, Postmart,...; supporting 92 participating units with more than 300 products, including 123 OCOP products from 50 businesses and enterprises present on the e-commerce platform. The products on the platform are all typical products of the province, products participating in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program and regional specialties, gradually integrating the province's e-commerce activities with domestic and international e-commerce.

To adapt to the general market trends, Co.opmart Thanh Ha supermarket has modernized its management and sales methods. In an interview, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Dao, the supermarket director, stated: Currently, the supermarket has applied digital technology in managing goods, customer service, and business operations. Customers can use smartphones to trace the origin of all products, make cashless payments through banking applications, and especially through online shopping programs on social media platforms like Facebook and Zalo, or the Go app on mobile phones, allowing customers to shop anytime, anywhere, and have goods delivered to their homes. Thanks to the strong emphasis on digital sales, the supermarket has expanded its customer base, maintained stable revenue, and basically met consumer needs for essential goods such as vegetables, fruits, fresh meat, dried goods, and groceries.

OCOP products from Phan Rang Huy Anh Bird's Nest Company introduced to consumers at the 2023 Food Fair. Photo: V.Nỷ

Thanks to the accelerated construction and development of a comprehensive commercial infrastructure, the trade and service sector in the province has developed steadily in recent years, ensuring professionalism in management and operation methods, and especially in civility in service, meeting the shopping needs of the people. In particular, the Department of Industry and Trade has focused on coordinating with relevant departments, sectors, and localities to implement procedures for supplementing and integrating into existing plans to create a list of projects for investment attraction in the coming period. This includes renovating and repairing a model food safety market in An Hai commune (Ninh Phuoc). It has also coordinated and participated in surveys and guided the implementation of investment project procedures for: GO! Ninh Thuan Shopping Center; Quang Son Market (Ninh Son), and Phu Quy Market (Ninh Phuoc).

Trade promotion activities have been implemented effectively, playing a good role as a bridge to help businesses research markets and find customers. At the same time, they encourage and support businesses in building brands to enhance the competitiveness of their products. Since the beginning of the year, the Department of Industry and Trade has supported 26 units in participating in trade connections and conferences in provinces such as Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Khanh Hoa; organized meetings and connections for 31 businesses in the province with major distributors in Ho Chi Minh City; supported businesses and units in participating in trade connections in the Central and Central Highlands regions, and participating in the Weekend Market in An Giang...

The dried apple product from Trung Tuan Production and Business Establishment in Phuoc Thuan commune (Ninh Phuoc district) received a 3-star rating from the district's product evaluation council. Photo: Tien Manh

Comrade Tran Quoc Sanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, shared: In the coming time, the unit will continue to advise the province and coordinate with relevant departments and units to implement key solutions and tasks to promote the development of trade and services. This includes continuing to attract investment and encourage modern business models such as shopping centers, convenience store chains, and e-commerce, gradually improving commercial infrastructure towards a civilized and modern direction. We will also strengthen trade promotion activities, focusing on and seeking opportunities for OCOP products to reach a wider range of provinces and cities nationwide. At the same time, we will support and resolve obstacles and difficulties for businesses in the area to operate, produce, and conduct business effectively, and to diversify cooperation with external partners.

Hong Nguyet

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