Many obstacles need to be removed to smooth the path for exports to Indonesia , which is the fourth largest Southeast Asian trade partner of Vietnam, heard a trade promotion talk in Ho Chi Minh City on June 12.

Trade Counsellor in Indonesia Le Hong Minh said the hindrance to made-in-Vietnam goods is that both countries have similar commodity structures, leading to competition in import – export activities.

However, Vietnam has the edge in farm production, particularly rice, since Indonesia ’s supply has not met its domestic demand, he added.

Nguyen Bao Hanh, Deputy General Director of the Dry Cell and Storage Battery Joint Stock Company (Pinaco), said that participating in fairs and exhibitions is an effective way to enter foreign markets.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Dinh Sac, a representative from the Thien Huong Company specialising in making handicrafts, said to promote trade abroad, Vietnamese businesses should work together so that it will be easier for them to advertise their brands and products.

At the function, held by the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City (ITPC), businesspeople asked Vietnam ’s foreign trade offices to be more active in helping the domestic circle foster trade activities and explore potential markets.

To Indonesia in particular, authorised agencies need to provide more information, organise promotion events, and aid businesses in surveying the market.

According to ITPC, two-way trade between Vietnam and Indonesia hit about 5.1 billion USD in 2013.

Key exports of Vietnam to Indonesia include mobile phones, apparel, footwear, rice, electronic accessories and chemicals. It mainly imports coal and paper.

The countries have set a goal of obtaining a bilateral trade value of 10 billion USD by 2018.-VNA