Seminar discusses utilising e-commerce tools

Hanoi (VNA) – A seminar held in Hanoi on March 16 discussed utilising support tools for online exports, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Vietnam E-commerce and Information Technology Agency (VECITA), up to 73 percent of firms said e-commerce brings great benefits and the rate of conflicts arising from e-contracts is as low as 8 percent.

VECITA deputy head Lai Viet Anh said only 8 percent of enterprises reach deals on e-trading platforms and 3 percent make transactions on their own or partners’ websites. Meanwhile, as many as 74 percent meet face-to-face and 65 percent deal with their partners via emails or correspondences.

She said VECITA has launched an e-commerce portal specially designed for domestic firms, providing information on the market for each goods’ category, Vietnamese trade offices in other countries, as well as information about merchants and product authentication.

Tran Xuan Thuy, Vietnamese Market Director of Alibaba.com said in order to facilitate exports via online channels, merchants must provide quality certificates and product details; including prices, payment and shipping processes.

Vietnam is expected to earn big from exports this year after several free trade agreements take effect, including those between Vietnam and the European Union, and between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

However, its export revenue dropped around 15 percent year-on-year in the first month and a half of this year, prompting exporters to switch to the online environment to optimise trade.

The event was co-hosted by the world’s e-commerce giant Alibaba and the OSB investment and technology company.-VNA