Vinh Hiep Company Limited has completely changed its look, becoming one of the leading exporters of agricultural products of Gia Lai province. It has become one of the top 15 exporters of agricultural products in Vietnam, shared Mr Thai Nhu Hiep of Vinh Hiep Company Limited with Vietnam Business Forum. Han Luong reports.
How do you assess the situation of agricultural exports of Gia Lai province in recent years?
Gia Lai is a locality with rich potential, diverse and abundant agricultural products. In recent years, the province has made huge efforts as well as right direction, but has yet to effectively promote exports. Coffee production of Gia Lai is estimated at 220,000 tonnes per year; total coffee exports in 2012 is estimated at 140,000 tonnes, accounting for 63.5 percent of the total export turnover of goods of the province; and the pepper production is estimated at about 17,000 tonnes. The province's enterprises involved is exports have limited capacity, including limited financial capacity. The province’s exported of goods are mainly in the form of raw materials with low competitiveness, added value and low effectiveness. To make export activities of the province develop sustainably in accordance with its potential, in addition to the joint efforts of enterprises, due attention of relevant departments is also needed, especially the lending of funds by credit institutions. The authorities continue to guide companies capable of production to change technology, boost production and create more value -added goods.
Can you sum up some of the most prominent achievements Vinh Hiep Company has achieved over the years?
Looking back at nearly 20 years of development, up to now, Vinh Hiep has always been proud of its recognized achievements. It has received certificates of merit and awards from several industries and sectors of the province for many consecutive years. It can be said that Vinh Hiep has contributed significantly to agricultural exports turnover of Vietnam to international friends. In 2006, the company built a factory system of high quality coffee in Gia Lai and consecutively established procurement systems across the province to make products of farmers associate more with the business. Over six years of technological changes, the company has continuously reached stable growth in both revenue and market. Particularly, the total revenue in 2012 reached VND1,985 billion, up 77 percent compared to VND1,115 billion in 2011. Each year Vinh Hiep exports about 40,000 tonnes of coffee, accounting for 21.5 percent of the market share of coffee exports of Gia Lai province. Also, Vinh Hiep is also one of the few companies applying modern technology on the trading floor.
Thanks to the purchase and performance of quality with prestige placed on top and the ability to meet the increasing demands of even the most demanding markets such as the U.S., Canada, the EU, Africa, etc., Vinh Hiep has constantly developed in both scale and efficiency, becoming a major exporter of agricultural products in the top 15 enterprises exporting agricultural products of Vietnam and in the top 500 largest enterprises in Vietnam.
Can you share experiences as well as the development orientation of Vinh Hiep Company for the future?
Having been able to develop for more than 20 years and rise to be one of the leading exporters in Vietnam, Vinh Hiep has constantly promoted activities and determined to set out criteria: Dynamic creation, quality assurance and prestige to clients. Therefore, Vinh Hiep always gets the satisfaction and trust of all partners and customers. We are currently building collaborative relations to produce sustainable organic coffee with farmers, UZT, 4C, etc. At the same time, we put effort in diversifying products, enhancing competitiveness and expanding market. Most importantly, we always carry out risk management, raise risk prevention fund and social security fund towards clean and green environment. Along with the efforts, leaders and all staff of the company are determined to keep the company’s position as a leading exporter of Gia Lai province with key products of coffee and black pepper.