Vietnamese agricultural products, including fruits, are sold at AEON supermarkets. (Photo: Duc Duy/Vietnam+) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese businesses are increasingly using foreign distribution channels as an effective means of exporting their products and promoting their brands, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The “Promoting Vietnamese enterprises to directly participate in foreign distribution networks by 2030” project has been supporting Vietnamese strong business engagement in the global chain of production, supply, and distribution of goods.
This initiative aims to promote the strengths and competitive edge of Vietnamese exports by enabling direct exports to foreign distribution networks, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai, during a conference in Hanoi on February 22, to disseminate the project.
Increase the presence of Vietnamese goods
Developing the distribution system of Vietnamese goods to foreign markets is considered one of the important tasks of the Government and enterprises in order to boost the presence of Vietnamese goods abroad.
The effectiveness of the project from 2016 to 2020 has been evident, as Vietnamese goods are increasingly available in hypermarkets and modern distribution systems abroad.
Vietnamese enterprises have also successfully exported goods through large supermarkets that invest in Vietnam.
Particularly, Vietnamese products have been introduced into demanding markets such as Japan (AEON Group), the US (Walmart), France, and Thailand (Big C, MM Mega Market, Central Retail), as well as in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and some African countries.
A notable illustration of the project’s success is the organization of the Vietnam Product Week 2022, which is scheduled to take place from July 1 to July 3, 2022 at AEON Lake Town Mori Trade Center, Saitama Prefecture in Japan, as well as at all supermarkets and retail stores of the AEON system in Japan.
Through the project, various types of Vietnamese products that meet the standards have been imported by AEON and sold at hundreds of supermarkets in their system.
The conference themed “Promoting Vietnamese enterprises to directly participate in foreign distribution networks until 2030,” is organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Hanoi on February 22. (Photo: Duc Duy/Vietnam+) Deputy Minister Do Thang Hai has reported that since the first phase of the project began in 2015, with the support of world-leading retail distribution groups, high-quality Vietnamese products ranging from agricultural products, food, household appliances, textiles, footwear, furniture, and more have reached millions of consumers worldwide through a widespread distribution system.
Focusing on sustainable development
While the effectiveness of the project’s implementation is evident, meeting sustainability criteria alone is not enough to further improve Vietnam’s export turnover through foreign distribution networks.
Competitive factors such as quality, price, and worker skills, as well as sustainable value, are crucial in this regard.
Aly Ansari, senior director in charge of supply at Walmart Group of the US, said his firm places great emphasis on products made by ethical suppliers who prioritise fair treatment of workers and ensure food safety.
In addition to meeting sustainability criteria, Vietnamese businesses must also place great importance on these competitive factors to succeed in foreign distribution networks and increase their export turnover.
By doing so, they can improve the quality of their products, make them more affordable, and promote sustainable development, ultimately contributing to the growth of Vietnam’s economy and its global integration, he said.
Similarly, Shiotani, General Director of Japan’s Aeon Topvalu Vietnam also emphasised the element of sustainable development, focusing on organic and environmentally friendly products.
Products of TH True Milk are sold at the largest CIIE fair in China in 2022. (Photo: Vietnam+) Ta Hoang Linh, Director of the Europe-America Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has noted that the business community, ministries, branches, and localities have developed a deeper understanding of the role of foreign distribution channels in promoting Vietnamese products. As a result, foreign distribution channels are increasingly appreciated and considered an effective means of exporting goods and promoting brands./.
