Opening export routes to catch the growth wave

Photo caption — Vehicles importing and exporting goods at Huu Nghi international border gate, Lang Son province. Photo: Quang Duy/VNA

After a period of being affected by declining global demand and supply chain fluctuations, export activities are gradually regaining momentum, opening up new expectations. However, to achieve the growth target of 2025 and maintain a higher speed in the coming years, drastic participation from policy planning, market promotion, infrastructure improvement to supporting businesses to improve competitiveness is needed.

According to experts, the growth target is not just a numerical destination but a measure of the economy 's resilience and adaptability. As trade barriers, requirements for green standards, digital transformation and traceability become increasingly stringent, the challenge for Vietnam is not just exporting more, but exporting smartly, sustainably and effectively. This requires flexible policies, practical solutions and proactive innovation by businesses to seize opportunities in the fast-moving global trade wave.

In fact, when policies are effectively implemented, businesses can absolutely thrive. Mr. Vu Duc Ha Long - Head of Sales Department, Mayaca Coffee Company Limited (Da Nang) said: Through trade promotion, the company has found export partners in Laos and Thailand. Currently, the company is looking for opportunities to export to Southeast Asian countries through trade connection programs and domestic and foreign fairs.

Having just invested in a new machinery and equipment system worth nearly 900 million VND to improve product quality to serve the domestic and export markets, Mr. Tran Duc Tho - General Director of ASIA GREEN Trading and Production Joint Stock Company shared: Technology is changing every day, every hour, customers' requirements for product quality are also changing. Therefore, the company is always proactive in innovating machinery to create better and more competitive products. In particular, ASIA GREEN aims to increase revenue this year to 60 billion VND, an increase of 25 - 30% compared to 2024.

Import-export activities in the past 9 months show that Vietnam is making positive movements. Key industries such as electronics, textiles, footwear, wood, agricultural products, etc. are gradually recovering production, while businesses have known how to effectively take advantage of free trade agreements (FTAs). The processed industrial goods group continues to play a pivotal role, reflecting the shift from resource-based growth to added value from production and technology. Moreover, expanding markets beyond traditional partners shows that the market diversification orientation is effective, helping Vietnamese goods penetrate deeper into potential regions such as the Americas, Africa or the Middle East.

However, experts also pointed out that there are still many challenges because the world economy is not stable, trade defense and "green barriers" continue to increase in large markets. Moreover, the economy still has inherent weaknesses such as low localization rates in many industries, significant dependence on imported raw materials; limited supporting industry capacity; high logistics costs and import-export procedures are not really smooth.

In addition, many businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, still face difficulties in meeting technical standards, environmental certifications and traceability requirements - conditions that are increasingly common in modern international trade.

Mr. Vu Minh Tam - Head of Policy Synthesis Department, Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said: In addition to the main market, niche and potential markets also contribute to diversification and create opportunities for businesses. Notably, another important solution is to build and strengthen domestic supply chains, develop supporting industries to increase the localization rate. Promoting links between FDI enterprises and domestic enterprises is also the key to technology transfer, improving production capacity and creating sustainable export value chains.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, exports in 2025 are not only a growth target, but also a test of the economy's management capacity and ability to transform. Import-export achievements continue to be a bright spot of the economy with total import-export turnover in the first 9 months reaching 680.66 billion USD, up 17.3% over the same period in 2024, far exceeding the proposed scenario of only 12%, which is a positive signal. However, to turn potential into concrete results, Vietnam needs to act faster, stronger and more synchronously.

From improving infrastructure, improving product quality, reducing logistics costs to expanding trade promotion networks, all efforts need to be directed towards the common goal of maintaining growth momentum and raising the position of Vietnamese goods on the global trade map.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien commented: If the situation does not have major fluctuations, this year the total import-export turnover is expected to reach a record level of over 900 billion USD, with a trade surplus estimated at over 20 billion USD.

However, to complete the yearly target, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien proposed to continue implementing urgent solutions to remove difficulties, restore production and business for enterprises and stabilize people's lives after the storms. In particular, a working group should be established under the direct direction of Government members to support localities in removing difficulties, in order to ensure the implementation of the Government's targets. At the same time, the Government, ministries, branches and localities continue to support domestic enterprises, manufacturers and associations and industries to access and exploit domestic and foreign markets.

“The Ministry of Industry and Trade will start negotiations on two agreements, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and MERCOSUR (South American Common Market) this month. In particular, the working group of the Ministry of Industry and Trade will go to Pakistan to negotiate the FTA and is determined to complete the negotiations within 3 months. The Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that Pakistan is a large market with 240 million people and is very suitable for the types of goods of Vietnam,” the Minister informed.

Paving the way for exports is not just the job of a single enterprise or industry, but a common task of the entire economy. When policies are implemented substantially, the business environment is transparent, infrastructure is modern and enterprises are competitive, Vietnam can completely turn the "favorable wave" in international trade into a new growth engine, aiming for growth and further sustainable exports.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/mo-duong-xuat-khau-de-don-song-tang-truong-20251013113805055.htm