A trade counsellors conference was held in Hanoi on Dec. 14 to disseminate Party and State policies in socio-economic development and international integration of the trade and industry sector and Vietnam’s trade missions overseas.

Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang emphasised the significance of the conference as the economic situation in Vietnam and the world saw many changes and regional and global markets experienced many fluctuations during the past four years.

Import-export and trade promotion activities and overseas marketing work meant new requirements for Vietnam’s trade missions abroad, the minister said.

However, he said that despite overseas markets facing many difficulties, Vietnam’s exports to Asia-Pacific, European and American markets recorded high growth.

The minister attributed the growth to Vietnamese trade missions’ assistance to local businesses in trade promotion activities, seeking trade partners, trademark advertising, settling hindrances in trade disputes and issues relating to anti-dumping investigations, anti-subsidy efforts and other trade barriers in foreign markets.

Minister Hoang said 2012 will offer many opportunities as well as pose difficulties and challenges for Vietnam’s export markets.

The target of export growth of 13 percent in 2012 set by the Government for the industry and trade sector is not high compared with that of 2011 but poses challenges to the sector and Vietnam’s trade missions abroad, the minister said.

The ministry will discuss challenges and difficulties with counsellors in 2012 to help businesses prepare for their exports, he said./.