The 2013 Export Forum was organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Centre (ITPC) on March 22 to support Vietnamese enterprises during the current period of economic difficulty.

Themed “Dialogue with Commercial Counsellors”, the forum is a bridge for HCM City agencies and other southern cities and provinces to exchange export, policies, mechanisms, and trends; discuss obstacles faced by Vietnamese exporters in international markets; and provide information on export markets, trade promotion activities and Vietnam ’s prioritised markets.

This year, Vietnamese enterprises have to face up to many difficulties, including developing markets and finding partners, and outlets, while their key markets, like the US, the EU and Japan, are struggling with internal problems.

Besides, nations and territories are adopting different measures to protect their domestic business and manufacturing.

Commercial Counsellor in Japan Nguyen Trung Dung suggests encouraging Japanese firms to cooperate in manufacturing, and trading and processing Vietnam ’s post-harvested farm, forestry, and fishery products , taking full advantage of their technologies to reduce the export of raw materials.

According to the Commercial Counsellor in Australia , the country is Vietnam ’s 9 th largest trade partner, with two-way trade reaching 5 billion USD in 2012.

Vietnam wants to import wheat and dairy products from Australia . It can export garments, textiles and aquatic products, which Australia needs, he added.

Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hong said the city will enhance links with commercial counsellors in key markets, and maintain connections between banks and businesses, carry out stimulus, measures and modernise technologies and machinery.-VNA