The conference under the 2021 National Program on Trade Promotion occurred over 3 days which started on August 8 for the plenary session and continued on August 9 and 10 for the B2B meeting sessions. The event had attracted the participation of more than 700 delegates from relevant ministries, localities, business associations, suppliers, distribution channels, purchasing and exporting enterprises, foreign importers, domestic and international trade promotion organizations.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated that the current volume of agricultural, aquatic and livestock products from 26 Southern provinces and cities, the Central highlands and some Northern provinces is very large due to the bountiful harvest season and needs to be connected to domestic and export markets, specifically: 5 million tons of rice, 3.7 million tons of vegetables, more than 4 million tons of fruits (mango, dragon fruit, durian, pineapple, avocado, longan, pomelo, coffee, cocoa), 120,000 tons of seafood, 80,000 tons of pigs, over 600,000 tons of chicken and 400 million eggs with an estimated value of up to tens of thousands billion Dong.

However, the supply chain, consumption and export are being interrupted due to the heavy impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic such as the lack of labor for harvesting and processing, restrictions on transportation and circulation of goods between localities, the limited clearance capacity of export ports due to distant workers and the overall decreased in demand of market consumption … Upon these challenges, the Minister requested the relevant departments and functional units to initiate policies to support and encourage the development of agro-food processing industries in terms of creating products with higher added value, at the same time promoting the development of traditional distribution channels, focusing on developing modern distribution channels, applying information technology and digital transformation to diversify and improve the effectiveness of promotional strategies with the motto "expanding new markets, without abandoning domestic markets". The Ministry of Industry and Trade will mobilize the system of commercial counsellors abroad to join in to support localities, businesses and producers. Minister Nguyen once again affirmed his consistent stance of working with localities through any hardship and in any circumstances.

To further demonstrate the need to connect consumption and promote the export of agricultural products, aquatic products and livestock products in localities, Mr. Le Van Su, Vice Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee shared Ca Mau’s strengths in marine resources and produce, with an annual output of 200,000 tons of shrimp harvested and caught (at sea) and an estimation of 20,000 tons of crab. Besides the strength in fisheries, Ca Mau also has great potential for forest resources, particularly in the field of agriculture with approximately 115,000 hectares of rice planting area ​producing an annual output of about 530,000 ton, unfortunately, the supply chain, consumption, and export are also interrupted due to the general impacts of the pandemic.

Similar, Mr. Nguyen Minh Lam, Vice Chairman of Long An Provincial People's Committee also shared the province's rice output estimating at 1 million tons/year, vegetables and beans of all kinds at 300,000 tons/year, fruits at 550,000 - 600,000 tons/year, aquatic products is estimated at 45,000 tons/year, live meat of all kinds at 70,000 tons/year, poultry eggs at 530 million eggs/year..., most of which are normally supplied to markets of Ho Chi Minh city. However, with the city in critical situation and facing complete lockdown, all markets, especially wholesale markets have temporarily suspended their operations, therefore highly affecting the consumption of the province’s products.

In response to the difficulties faced by the localities, Mr. Bui Vuong Anh, Commercial Counsellor determines that the Vietnam Trade Office in Germany is working closely with the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade) to implement a program on distribution and logistics solutions, such as establishing large distribution channels to help Viet Nam's exports cease the opportunity to penetrate and affirm its position in the German market as well as the European Union; therefore, supporting businesses with a long-term plan to reduce costs, increasing proactiveness in logistics and enhancing competitiveness…

As a representative from the distribution channels, Mr. Le Truong Son, Deputy General Director of SaigonCo.op affirmed his highest commitment to promote the consumption and distribution of agricultural, aquatic and livestock products of the Southern provinces and Central highlands, and prioritizing to distribute high-quality Vietnamese products to consumers nationwide; as a result contributing to stabilize the general market situation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr. Furusawa Yasuyuki, General Director of AEON Vietnam Co., Ltd. recommended that Vietnamese enterprises need to develop a production management process and a uniform set of standards, optimize logistics services to increase efficiency, apply technology to keep production and cost stable, create a closed loop by establishing purchasing focal points between provinces, control price - quality - output and promote products to increase awareness for consumers.

Lastly, Vice Minister Phung Duc Tien of Agriculture and Rural Development requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate in setting up a hotline to promptly respond to difficulties of production and purchasing parties, to ensure safe and smooth circulation of goods in between facilities; at the same time, carefully reviewing the current situation to prepare for the production of the next crop.

Together, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are committed to providing maximum support in their respective jurisdictions and immediately resolving the recommendations shared at the conference. With recommendations that are beyond its authority, the Ministries will propose to the Government for a timely solution.