The seminar with the theme of effectively utilising regional linkage resources in trade promotion in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo

Inter-regional links in trade promotion still faced many difficulties and need more focus, according to Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy, deputy director of the Việt Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade)'s Export Support Centre at a recent seminar.

The Công Thương (Industry and Trade) Magazine held the seminar with the theme of effectively utilising regional linkage resources in trade promotion in Hà Nội on Monday.

Since early 2024, the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been working with provincial and municipal authorities to co-host trade promotion and import-export development conferences in major economic regions. Through these programmes, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is working closely with local areas to conduct major trade promotion activities focused on key export sectors and markets. This new approach in 2024 aims to make trade promotion more targeted and effective in the future.

Thủy said that isolated trade promotion efforts are less effective compared to those that are collaborative and large-scale. Thus, MoIT has included a series of regional trade promotion conferences in its agenda since late last year, covering all six economic regions.

The Ministry has already conducted five of these conferences, with one more planned in Cần Thơ to focus on trade promotion and export-import development for the Mekong Delta region.

"These conferences have shown that local participation and combined intellectual and resource efforts have generated many new ideas for enhancing future trade promotion activities," Thủy said.

Đinh Lâm Sáng, Deputy Director of Bắc Kạn's Department of Industry and Trade, highlighted that regional trade linkages have been effective in six northern provinces. Bắc Kạn's trade promotion has facilitated valuable connections for businesses with OCOP products. He emphasised that showcasing OCOP products across provinces, where products from Bắc Kạn are available elsewhere and vice versa, enhances trade and meets regional needs. This approach supports provincial directives for regional integration and inter-regional trade.

According Sáng, the local trade promotion efforts have also achieved notable results. For example, Bắc Kạn's dong noodle, which has earned a 5-star OCOP certification, is regularly exported to Europe and has received high praise from international customers.

“We plan to promote other high-standard products to new markets and nearby countries. This will provide opportunities for local businesses and cooperatives to export their products, increase their profit margins, and benefit both the businesses and the region,” Sáng said.

Despite some benefits, Thủy notes challenges in regional trade promotion, including inconsistent practices, limited infrastructure, and inadequate resources. To address these, the Ministry of Industry and Trade plans to introduce a new regional trade promotion model, including organising trade missions abroad. Vietnamese businesses and localities have a strong need to explore global markets and learn from international trade promotion models, Thủy said.