Ho Chi Minh City’s trade promotion activities were introduced to commercial counselors at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on December 25.

Addressing the event, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hong said changes in the world market will continue challenging exports of the country and localities in particular.

Given this context, the official proposed overseas Vietnamese representative offices step up their support and coordination with local authorities and enterprises.

Sharing Hong’s views, many delegates at the event called for the establishment of an information network that provides businesses with market changes, as well as international laws and policies while connecting domestic and foreign enterprises, helping them ease risks in the process of international integration.

Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, suggested the overseas Vietnamese representative offices increase trade promotion activities and act as a dialogue bridge with authorities in host countries.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh urged the overseas Vietnamese representative offices to take the initiative in studying the market, building market development strategies and extracting cooperation opportunities in timely manner.

He said the target of export growth at 10 percent and trade deficit at 6 percent in 2014 is a huge challenge to the entire economy and the responsibility of ministries, branches and authorities at all levels.

The ministry has considered the enhancement of linkages between ministries and branches both at home and abroad with local authorities as one of the most important solutions to boost Vietnam’s export of goods and services.

Vietnam’s export value is estimated at 132.3 billion USD this year, representing a year-on-year rise of 15.4 percent. The EU, America, the US and Asia are the country’s major export markets.-VNA