Issues of Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and economic development strategies of enterprises in Central Vietnam were discussed at a seminar between Vietnamese ambassadors and chief representatives to foreign countries and representatives from 100 enterprises in Da Nang and Central Vietnam. The seminar was held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Da Nang branch, co-operating with the People’s Committee of Da Nang.
At the seminar, ambassadors and chief representatives answered questions raised by enterprises about finding and assessing information about foreign partners. This is an important issue, deciding the effectiveness of business co-operation between Vietnamese and foreign enterprises. Ambassadors and chief representatives said enterprises and State management agencies should promote and develop contacts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while enterprises and State agencies in Da Nang and Central Vietnam should develop contact with the Da Nang branch of VCCI.
Talking about the concern of mechanical enterprises about materials and competition from the Chinese market in terms of iron and steel products, diplomats said China had a huge production output and export volume, so when Vietnam joined WTO, Vietnamese enterprises should not worry much as Chinese enterprises had to compete with each other. Furthermore, they will not be able to cut prices because of tax, social insurance and environmental pollution treatment fees. Also about the Chinese market, diplomats advised enterprises in Central Vietnam to promote their export of seafood to western localities of China as they were ideal markets for Vietnamese seafood.
Ambassadors and chief representatives talked about the great potential of the US market, saying that after the US granted PNTR to Vietnam, the US market would become stable for Vietnamese goods, such as seafood, textiles and garments, and footwear. However, they stressed some issues enterprises should pay attention to as the US market had tough requirements for quality, safety and hygiene of products.
Answering questions about markets and competitiveness for exported woodworks, ambassadors said that woodworks had become an item of high export value and favaourite goods in Taiwan, China and Finland. Taiwan is striving to develop woodwork craft but is lacking materials. No enterprises from Central Vietnam have exported woodworks to the market yet.
Talking about Asian countries, ambassadors said road tours had good prospects. At the same time, enterprises in Central Vietnam had great advantages for exporting seafood to Thailand, Laos and China.
Africa has been known as a market of great potential. Small and medium-sized enterprises should occupy the market. Also at the seminar, issues of labour export to Africa were discussed as they may decide the development of business and production activities of Vietnamese enterprises and their foreign partners.
Vietnamese
