In early 2021, the MoIT forecast that Vietnam’s foreign trade value would grow about five percent with almost no gap between imports and exports or only a slight trade deficit. What do you think of the actual results?

In 2021, Vietnam achieved satisfactory foreign trade results despite numerous difficulties induced by the Covid-19 pandemic, with value exceeding US$660 billion. In November, Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of US$1.27 billion, raising the annual surplus to nearly US$1.5 billion.

These results were praiseworthy in the context of the Covid-19 complications that resulted in supply chain disruptions and trade deficits over many consecutive months.

The MoIT has organized online trade promotion activities instead of offline ones to promote import and export. How do you rate the effectiveness of these activities?

Over the past two years, Covid-19 had restricted offline trade promotion activities, therefore the MoIT organized online events to connect domestic businesses with foreign companies, with the support of overseas Vietnamese trade offices.

This shift was timely and flexible, helping businesses maintain supply chains and relations with foreign partners. Online platforms also helped domestic companies find new partners in Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East.

Deputies to the National Assembly praised the MoIT’s efforts to resolve logistics and transportation difficulties, contributing to import, export achievements. Could you elaborate on these efforts?

With domestic circulation of goods disrupted in some regions due to Covid-19, the MoIT coordinated with the Ministry of Transport to deal with difficulties in logistics and transportation, especially in the southern region during the peak pandemic period from June to August.

The MoIT proposed that the government allow the opening of a “green lane” for waterway transport of rice. The ministry also asked the Prime Minister to ease regulations on essential goods, facilitating the circulation of goods between localities.

Thaco is promoting semi-trailer exports to the US

Could you share the MoIT’s 2022 export forecast and its biggest concern for the economy this year?

Last year’s satisfactory results were attributed to great efforts by the business community and state agencies from the central to local levels, as well as opportunities presented by free trade agreements. Even in the current context, when global supply chains and consumer demand are still affected by Covid-19, Vietnam can grasp opportunities to boost exports.

In 2022, Covid-19 will continue affecting the Vietnamese economy. Therefore, the MoIT’s biggest concern is how to adapt safely to the pandemic. Government Resolution 128/NQ-CP strengthens our confidence and encourages us to maintain production while at the same time preventing the spread of the pandemic, helping prevent supply chain disruptions and adverse impacts on exports and people’s livelihoods.

Phuong Lan