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Opportunities, challenges and resolutions for ASEAN economic integration and trade promotion domestically

Update at 15:33, Wednesday, 01/04/2015 (GMT+7)

Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu (left) discussed with participants at the conference

This is the theme of the conference held by Hanoi Women Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (HAWASME) on 27th March 2015 in Hanoi.

The conference was held to equip female entrepreneur with relevant information about opportunities and challenges in the economic integration process of ASEAN, particularly the formation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of this year. The conference also provided information about domestic trade promotion programs and resolutions for domestic market extension under government supporting programs.

Attending the conference, there were leader representatives of Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, Vietnam Women Union together with 150 female entrepreneurs from Hanoi, Yen Bai and Thanh Hoa.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu, Associate Dean of Faculty of International Business and Economics - UEB attended the conference as invited speaker. Her talk focused on AEC’s main pillars, opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese enterprises in general and small and medium enterprises in particular. Dr. Thu emphasized the opportunities for market access, collaboration and supporting programs as well as challenges of competitiveness, information access etc. in some particular fields such as agricultural products, textile, fishery, wood, logistic, tourism, healthcare services etc. Much attention of the conference was drawn to AEC economic integration process with many questions relevant to difficulties in labor, access to export market and competitiveness domestically.

Mr. Tran Nguyen Nam, Deputy Director of Department of Domestic Market, MOIT talked about the government programs to support sustainable distribution of Vietnamese products as well as enhancing competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises in distribution activities. He especially emphasized the campaign “Proud of made-in Vietnam products” with series of supporting activities, including public relations, brand recognition, building warehouse system, distribution methods, data base, training, counseling and enhancing competitiveness of the enterprises in distribution of made-in Vietnam products. Many questions were given on how to take part in these supporting programs effectively.

This conference was the pioneer activity of the HAWASME in equipping its members with information of AEC economic integration. The realistic and updated information given at the conference was highly appreciated by participants. It was regarded as a bridge connecting lawmakers, research and counseling institutions with enterprise community. The conference also came up with some ongoing programs based on cooperation among HAWASME, UEB, MOIT and Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade.