City plans to boost exports
City plans to boost exports
The HCM City Industry and Trade Department has drafted a plan to expand exports by 16 per cent annually this decade and double exports in 2011-15 to US$100 billion.
Until 2015, the city will continue to focus on industries that are labour-intensive and use locally-sourced raw materials like seafood processing, footwear, and textile and garment.
From 2015, technology products will account for 10 per cent of exports and software for 2 per cent.
The agricultural, forestry and seafood sectors will improve quality and choose their best products for export to make up 23 per cent of exports.
Logistics, software services, exhibitions and fairs, technical support and consulting will all be improved to promote exports.
According to the draft plan, to achieve these targets, a strong push is needed from State agencies, professional associations and businesses.
Huynh Khanh Hiep, director of the department, said the city would develop infrastructure, increase some key products, improve human resource training and administrative performance to help boost exports.
Developing robust infrastructure to link land and sea routes with ports and storage facilities was an urgent task, he said.
"In the long term, the city should not build more multi-purpose economic zones, only industry-specific ones," an economist said, commenting on the draft.
He also highlighted the important role of international exhibitions in popularising Vietnamese products globally.
The draft speaks about putting in place various export support models, creating material supply hubs and improving inter-regional co-operation to boost exports.
Identifying new markets is another important task, it says.
Viet Nam should actively take part in the global production and value network, focus on building national brands and value-added products, it stresses.
Hiep added: "We plan to bridge the trade deficit by limiting import growth to 15 per cent annually."
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