Policymakers, experts, economists and local authorities have discussed measures to promote Vietnamese trademarks in the world market at the Vietnamese Trademark Forum in Hanoi on June 12.

The forum is part of the 2013 National Trademark Programme co-organised by the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the programme’s Secretariat and the Vietnam News Agency’s Tin Tuc newspaper.

Over the past time, Vietnamese businesses have made progresses in building and developing their trademarks and raising the competitiveness of their products, especially those operating in garments and textiles, leather and footwear, and farming products, said Do Thang Hai, Head of the Trade Promotion Agency.

However, Hai and other delegates at the event cited the lack of experience and limited capacity of domestic businesses as factors lowering their products’ competitiveness.

According to Hai, apart from product quality, businesses should pay attention to the distribution system.

At the event, Vietnam’s marine trademark, a tool to promote the country’s image and sea-based economy was put on the table.

Pham Quang My, deputy head of the Office of the Vietnam Administration of Sea and Islands under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, described the marine trademark as a tool to lure investment and boost cooperation in maritime economic development.

Marine trademark also makes it easier for localities to access the external world in the context of integration, he added, noting it is expected to contribute to fulfilling targets set in the Vietnam Marine Strategy by 2020.

The delegates suggested localities put forth long-term strategy in building their trademarks, citing Da Nang central city’s tourism programmes as an example in this field.

Nguyen Duc Loi, General Director of the Vietnam News Agency, called on localities, businesses and entrepreneurs to conduct practical activities in order to preserve the quality, prestige and competitive edge of Vietnamese services and products.

Local leaders, managers, experts and businesses also engaged in discussions focusing on relations between regional, national and marine trademarks.-VNA