Ho Chi Minh City still has few OCOP products.

Ho Chi Minh City still has few OCOP products - Photo 1.

As of mid-2024, Ho Chi Minh City had 191 products recognized under the OCOP program - Photo: BUI NHI

On the morning of April 23rd, the Ho Chi Minh City Academy of Cadres organized a scientific seminar titled "Solutions for Developing OCOP Products in Ho Chi Minh City".

At the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Vuong Duc Hoang Quan - Deputy Director of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Sciences - noted that the number of OCOP products in Ho Chi Minh City is still small compared to other provinces and cities.

According to the report presented at the conference, as of mid-2024, Ho Chi Minh City had 191 products that met the OCOP (One Commune One Product) standards. Of these, 79 products achieved a 4-star quality rating, 112 products achieved a 3-star rating, and none achieved a 5-star rating.

Ms. Hoang Thi Mai, head of the Cooperative Economic Sub-Department (under the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Ho Chi Minh City), informed that in recent times, in addition to the advantages, the OCOP program in Ho Chi Minh City has also faced many difficulties.

ocop - Photo 2.

Ms. Hoang Thi Mai speaks about the advantages and difficulties in implementing the OCOP program in Ho Chi Minh City over the past period - Photo: Bui Nhi

Specifically, a product recognized as a 5-star OCOP product must be associated with a wide range of raw material sources. However, in Ho Chi Minh City, the rate of urbanization is quite high, and the area of distinctive raw materials is becoming increasingly limited.

Some officials at the ward and commune level still face obstacles in supporting local businesses to develop OCOP products.

In addition, small businesses are still hesitant to apply for OCOP certification. Currently, there is no specific policy for developing OCOP products, and they are integrated into the city's general policies.

In light of these realities, Mr. Nguyen Minh Nhut, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council, proposed several solutions to overcome these challenges and develop the program. First, Ho Chi Minh City needs to set a goal of strengthening regional linkages in the supply of raw materials for OCOP products and providing financial support and tax incentives for these businesses.

Another important point is the application of technology in the production process, including processing and preservation. OCOP products must improve in quality and standardize according to international standards to access international markets. Promoting the brand and expanding distribution channels also need to be emphasized.

Furthermore, businesses need to continuously improve the quality of their human resources, ensuring they have knowledge of both technology and international standards, in order to meet the increasingly stringent demands of domestic and international customers.

Expanding the concept of OCOP

Associate Professor Dr. Vuong Duc Hoang Quan assessed that the OCOP concept in Vietnam has been expanded and made more flexible to closely follow the practical development of localities.

The program is not limited to poverty alleviation but also serves as a model for overall economic development.

In addition to agricultural products, OCOP has expanded to non-agricultural sectors and services, linking the program with community tourism development with the aim of enhancing the value of local products.

https://tuoitre.vn/tp-hcm-con-it-san-pham-ocop-202504231454446.htm