Trade counsellors conference focuses on exports Featuring high-level speakers from the government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, Vietnam’s trade counsellors conference took place recently before a packed audience in Hanoi. The event commenced with a keynote address from Tran Tuan Anh, deputy minister of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) outlining his thoughts and insight into Making Vietnam an export success story. “Foreign companies tend to be conservative when approaching new markets, such as Vietnam’s,” said Deputy Minister Anh, but our trade counsellors have done an excellent job convincing them that opportunity is here. Through the trade counsellor’s efforts, more and more foreign companies now understand that we are developing the nation’s manufacturing capacity and investing in a world-class infrastructure. “While at the same time we are reasonably priced and an economical alternative,” said Mr Anh. Mr Anh also touted Vietnam’s suitability as a base for foreign businesses to use as a hub to access other ASEAN nations, providing a very attractive opportunity for them to expand their footprint throughout the region. “ASEAN represents not only one of the biggest, but one of the fastest-growing economies in the world,” he said, “and Vietnam’s economy is strong, and our infrastructure, human resources and technology are all very competitive.” Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in turn said Vietnam is slowly integrating into the world economy thanks to a large number of free trade agreements negotiated by the trade counsellors. At present we are seeing a huge interest of foreign businesses in investing in the manufacturing sector, especially in the clothing and textiles industries, said Prime Minister Dung. Vu Tien Loc chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry also applauded the trade counsellors for their successful efforts in advancing economic cooperation, commercial trade and investment. With so many high-level delegates in attendance, networking formed a key feature throughout the conference. With a networking lunch, an evening reception and specific networking platforms, there was ample opportunity for anyone serious about doing business in the region to create new business contacts and build relationships with the market’s main players. Exports by companies operating within Vietnam’s borders experienced solid growth in 2015, said speakers at the conference. Exports to Asia, the EU, the US and Africa registered growth of 7.2%, 8.7%, 18.1% and 3.4%, respectively. Meanwhile Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth climbed 6.68%, the highest figure for the last five years, substantially all driven by exports of foreign invested companies. VOV