Overcoming challenges and maintaining growth momentum.

In 2025, the Industry and Trade sector of Can Tho City maintained its growth momentum and completed the set plan. However, many areas under the sector's responsibility still faced difficulties and did not achieve the high results expected. In 2026, the entire sector will continue to strive to decisively and effectively implement assigned tasks through various synchronized and flexible solutions...

Overcoming difficulties to reach the finish line.

Mr. Huynh Thanh Su, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Can Tho City, said that in 2025, the city's industry and trade sector will focus on implementing flexible and synchronized management solutions, thereby achieving many important results. Industrial production is expected to grow by 10.43% compared to the same period in 2024. Trade and services are expected to grow even faster than the same period, with total retail sales reaching VND 237.4 billion, an increase of 16.9% compared to the same period and exceeding the set plan. Export turnover and foreign exchange revenue are estimated to reach over USD 5,508 million, an increase of 10.8% compared to the same period.

The city's supply system for goods and fuel is very tight and diverse, operating through a distribution network including 255 markets, 20 supermarkets, 8 shopping centers, and 325 convenience stores distributed throughout the wards and communes. The petroleum supply system includes 4 main distributors, 18 distribution traders, and 950 retail outlets, along with 11 main depots and 8 transit depots with a total capacity of 353,780 ^m³ , ensuring sufficient fuel supply for consumption and production needs throughout the city. During the year, the Department proactively implemented activities to support businesses in expanding their markets and boosting exports through advising on and organizing conferences and seminars. Activities supporting market access were implemented effectively.

However, according to Mr. Huynh Thanh Su, besides the positive aspects, the effectiveness of attracting investment for key projects in the Industry and Trade sector is not high; the processing and manufacturing industry accounts for a high proportion of the industrial sector, but the business activities of enterprises still face many difficulties from the market; the inventory level at industrial production enterprises is quite high; the capacity for new investment and expansion is still slow. Enterprises still face difficulties with land procedures; investment and expansion of production and business; the situation of shrinking production scale and cutting workers to maintain business operations still occurs…

Mr. Vuong Quoc Nam (third from the right) and representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment visit the cold storage facility of Hanh Nguyen Logistics Joint Stock Company.

Ready for the New Year

Mr. Nguyen Dang Chinh, Director of Petrolimex Southwest Vietnam Co., Ltd., stated that by the end of 2025, Petrolimex Southwest Vietnam had successfully completed its plan, contributing 592 billion VND to the state budget. To contribute to market stability and ensure the supply of petroleum products for local socio-economic development, Mr. Nguyen Dang Chinh requested that the City People's Committee and relevant departments and agencies support Petrolimex Southwest Vietnam in increasing the proportion of its petrol stations in the city to over 10%; and assist in expediting procedures for upgrading and repairing petrol stations.

Ms. Ho Quang Kieu, Director of GO! Can Tho Supermarket, said that on average, the supermarket receives about 4,000 customers per day. During peak periods such as weekends, holidays, and Tet (Lunar New Year), the supermarket welcomes an average of 6,000-7,000 customers daily for sightseeing and shopping. To ensure good business, in addition to guaranteeing a steady supply of goods, the supermarket regularly organizes discount and promotional programs. The unit has implemented an online sales channel through the GO app, estimating that approximately 60,000 orders will be sold through this channel by 2025. Along with that, the supermarket has also launched TikTok and Facebook pages to introduce its activities and programs… Taking advantage of its location at the city's gateway, the supermarket has a policy of supporting bus drivers and tourist groups visiting and shopping; It is estimated that in 2025, the supermarket will welcome nearly 1,800 groups of customers… Along with these solutions, the unit hopes that the Department of Industry and Trade will strengthen the connection between the supermarket and businesses in the consumption of goods, especially during Tet.

Ms. Le Thi Minh Phu, representative of Minh Phu Hau Giang Seafood Joint Stock Company (a member of Minh Phu Seafood Group), said that the company currently has more than 5,000 employees, with an average income of 9 million VND/person/month. By 2025, the company's total processing output will reach over 24,500 tons of finished products, with the main products being frozen shrimp and value-added shrimp products. The company's revenue in 2025 is expected to reach 7,568 billion VND... The company is facing many pressures from raw material costs, cold storage, logistics, and interest rates. In addition, the export market is highly competitive, with increasingly high technical requirements; Raw material sources fluctuate according to seasons, and prices are unstable… In the coming time, Minh Phu Hau Giang will strengthen regional farming linkages, control quality and traceability, invest in upgrading automation equipment, promote value-added products, and expand sustainable, high-value markets… To achieve the set goals, Ms. Minh Phu hopes that the government will support the enterprise with mechanisms and resources to ensure stability and sustainable development, especially support in attracting and recruiting labor.

Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, Vuong Quoc Nam, stated that 2026 is the first year of implementing the 5-year socio-economic development plan 2026-2030, and the city has set a target of achieving a GRDP growth rate of 10-10.5% or higher. This is a high target, requiring extraordinary efforts, a strong spirit of innovation, and close coordination of the entire political system, in which the Industry and Trade sector plays a particularly important role. The Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee requested the Industry and Trade sector to continue to focus on businesses, with industrial production as the driving force, proactively supporting and resolving difficulties for businesses, especially key businesses. He urged accelerating the progress of industrial projects and industrial clusters; developing deep processing industries, supporting industries, and energy industries. He also emphasized the need to prepare plans for electricity supply and regulation to ensure electricity availability, especially during peak seasons. Focusing on attracting domestic and foreign investors to implement energy projects, especially renewable and new energy; calling on businesses to invest in developing commercial infrastructure… The City People's Committee is committed to continuing to decisively direct departments, agencies, and localities to closely coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade to promptly remove bottlenecks in mechanisms, policies, land, and investment, in order to create the most favorable environment for businesses and investors to develop.

Text and photos: NAM HUONG

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/vuot-kho-giu-da-tang-truong-a196529.html