Hanoi (VNA) - Measures to support Vietnamese exporters to expand markets amidglobal economic fluctuations was discussed at a workshop held Hanoi on June 28.

Organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) as part of theVietnam export assistance programme 2018, the event saw delegates from researchinstitutes, foreign embassies in Vietnam and export companies.  

In his opening remark, VCCI General Secretary Nguyen Quang Vinh said Vietnam’sexport enterprises, especially small and-medium-sized ones, are facingchallenges related to market, forecast on market supply and demand,information, management and strategic planning.

In recent years, the VCCI has implemented numerous activities to support exportfirms, as well as national programmes and projects to improve thecompetitiveness in integration and promote sustainable development.

These will continue to be accelerated in 2018, especially when the PrimeMinister officially approved a project to establish strategic cooperation withimportant markets of Vietnam, he said.

Accordingly, the VCCI will work to quicken the implementation of the project,cooperate with relevant ministries and sectors and arrange meetings with itspartners to build practical activities for supporting Vietnamese export SMEs.

An online information portal will be established, while workshops on exportsupport and business link will be held.

In addition, the VCCI will also publish a Vietnam Export Handbook and annuallyorganise an export forum, making it easy for local exporters to get informationrelated to Vietnam's important export markets such as the US and Europe.

The VCCI will always work closely with relevant ministries and sector to assistexport companies in improving their competitiveness and expanding markets,towards sustainable export.

Nguyen Viet Hung from the General Department of Customs said in the first halfof 2018, Vietnam’s export-import turnover hit 225 billion USD, up 13 percentyear-on-year. Of the figure, thecountry’s export value reached 113 billion USD, while its import value was 111billion USD.

The foreign direct investment (FDI) sector still holds the motivational forcefor Vietnam’s export growth as its total export value accounts for 70 percentof the country’s export turnover, Hung said.

Vietnam’s export will maintain good performancein 2018, likely to reach two-digit growth and double the GDP, he predicted.

According to Hung, Vietnam’s export is estimated to reach 240-242 billion USD,13 percent higher than that of 2017. The total export-import turnover isestimated at 475-477 billion USD, up 11.5 year-on-year.

By2020, Vietnam will have about 100,000 import and export enterprises, Hungnoted.

During the workshop, participants were updated on current developments, trendsand impacts from the US’s trade policy at present and in the coming time for exportgoods to the country; and proposed initiatives to improve the competitiveness of Vietnam’scommodities in the US.

Export support services and information; opportunities to access preferentialcapital sources; experience to enter export markets; and issues related to cargoinsurance and export credit guarantee were also introduced at the workshop.-VNA