Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Industryand Trade has built a project promoting the engagement of Vietnameseenterprises in foreign distribution systems through 2020 given the modestproportion of the country’s direct exports to overseas markets.

The project has been approved by Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc, and is expected to create more links between Vietnamese firmsand foreign retailers.

Ta Hoang Linh, head ofthe European-American Markets Department under the Ministry ofIndustry and Trade, said the project aims for sustainable development andharmonised interests for both domestic and foreign enterprises.

When enterprises directly participate in theglobal distribution network, they will better grasp the demand of customers andgain access to advanced quality management modes, thus enabling them to meetexport standards of global leading retailers and develop their brands.

Statistics showed that Vietnam has over 170foreign-invested retail establishments, including about 110 supermarkets andtrade centres with at least 500 square metres of floor area run by famousbrands like Big C, Lotte Mart, Aeon and Emart.

Foreign retailers not only prioritise made-in-Vietnamproducts in their network in Vietnam but also join in exporting Vietnamesegoods through their distribution networks abroad.

Experts said this is an important channel tohelp promote the export of Vietnamese goods to foreign countries as well asincrease the competitiveness and develop the Vietnamese brands in the globalmarket.

Paul Lee, vice president in charge of supportingsmall-and medium-sized enterprises and promoting trade from the Central GroupVietnam, said most made-in-Vietnam products have good quality, particularly agricultureand aquatic products.  

However, when exporting to foreign markets,local businesses do not pay much attention to packaging, designing and tastesof customers in each country, he said, adding that this is the weak point ofVietnamese firms.

Cao Thi Phi Van, Vice Director of Ho Chi MinhCity Investment and Trade Promotion Centre held that it is difficult forVietnamese enterprises to enter the foreign modern distribution networks. Shesaid besides good quality, nice packaging and competitive prices, domesticfirms must study the process and standards to export their products to thosenetworks.

DeputyMinister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said there are many ways for Vietnamesebusinesses to export products, but selling to a foreign distribution network isa convenient way, as once a product is accepted by a network, it will be soldat all facilities of that network worldwide, thus helping promote the brand ona large scale in the international arena.-VNA