Two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU has continuously grown even during the pandemic. Total export turnover from Vietnam to the EU in the period from August 2020 to July 2022 reached 83.4 billion USD (average 41.7 billion USD/year), 24% higher than the average export turnover. year period 2016 - 2019.

Although export turnover to the EU market has such a high growth rate, the number of enterprises participating in exporting to this market is not commensurate with the potential. In addition, the EU market's potential is very large with an import value of up to 2.5 trillion USD of goods per year. Although Vietnamese enterprises have continuously accelerated, Vietnamese goods only account for less than 2% of the EU market share.

These issues were discussed a lot by experts at the seminar "Increasing the presence of Vietnamese enterprises exporting to the EU" organized by Industry and Trade Magazine on November 18.

Mr. Ngo Chung Khanh, Deputy Director, Department of Multilateral Trade Policy (Ministry of Industry and Trade), said that the EU is a market with high purchasing power, great potential and when there is a potential free trade agreement (FTA), such as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will be an attractive market for Vietnamese businesses.

However, to be frank, the space is still very large, the market share of many strategic products such as seafood and vegetables is still very low, the market share is still very low, 2-3% stronger, and more aquatic products. 4%, including apparel is only 4%.

But it is a bit unfortunate that the number of brands is still quite modest and we hope that in the near future there will be many brands appearing in the EU market.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Director of the Center for WTO and Integration (VCCI), about a decade ago, the EU was the second largest export market of Vietnam, now it is the third largest export market of Vietnam. after the United States and China. This is also a market with relatively good growth.

In the first two years of implementation of the EVFTA, Vietnam's export turnover reached an average of 41.7 billion USD/year and was 24% higher than the annual average of the 2016 - 2019 period (33.5 billion USD). (equivalent to a quarter higher) indicates an improvement in this market.

In terms of turnover and according to a survey by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), 4 out of 10 businesses will have taken advantage of some benefits from the agreement, including benefits in import and export. This shows that there has been an improvement in exports to this market.

However, the share of the EU market in Vietnam's total export turnover was about 19% to nearly 20% about 10 years ago, but then gradually decreased and by 2021 the proportion is less than 12%. .

Obviously, the turnover increases, but the growth rate of Vietnam's exports to the EU market is lower than the growth rate to all world markets and this is also reflected in the growth rate of Vietnam's turnover to the EU. lower than the average growth rate of Vietnam's exports to the world market.

Out of 10 enterprises, 4 have benefited, but 6 have never received any benefit either directly or indirectly from this agreement. This is an issue that needs to be worked on more strongly, has done well but seems to be significantly limited compared to expectations or potential.

Mr. Dinh Cao Khue, Chairman of the Board of Directors - General Director, Dong Giao Foodstuff Export Joint Stock Company (DOVECO), Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association shared, exporting to Europe in general and EU countries said. own has become a tradition for DOVECO since very large.

The reason DOVECO identifies Europe as a traditional market and the first reason is that the EU's import residue is very large. In fact, the world has recently been 8 billion people, the EU is about 500 million people, but import demand accounts for about 45% of the demand for vegetables and fruits.

The second problem for EU countries, and in particular, European countries, they cannot grow tropical fruits and vegetables. For example, pineapple is not to be grown, banana is not to be grown, and passion fruit is not. So there are few defenses like other countries.

Exports to Asia, for example, are largely defensive and one more thing for Europe is serious fair payments.

However, the EU is a market with high technical requirements in both quantity and quality, but if done step by step, it can still meet the requirements of EU countries in particular and Europe in general.

In order to increase the number of Vietnamese enterprises and the proportion of Vietnamese goods exported to the EU market as well as measures to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the EVFTA, Mr. Ngo Chung Khanh said that the first is to propagate the Success Story.

From the perspective of the propaganda agency, the Ministry of Industry and Trade wishes to cooperate with leading businesses that have paved the way like DOVECO to propagate those success stories to help businesses become more confident.

Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is coordinating with provinces and cities in focusing on identifying one or two strategic products that the province has strengths, then jointly building more closely supporting propaganda programs.

According to Mr. Ngo Chung Khanh, instead of general propaganda, it is better to go into training sessions, support activities and be an annual plan, not just follow a conference.

At present, the country's resources are still limited, often scattered, scattered and not connected, the Ministry of Industry and Trade wants to connect all the actors that participate in the implementation of the FTA.

From central to local authorities to exporters, importers, consulting firms and associations, how can they connect together in chains and support each other.

As the agency in charge of EVFTA implementation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade hopes to coordinate with ministries, sectors, associations, businesses and localities in the coming time to make the most of the agreement to maximize the benefits. Vietnamese brand value.

According to VNA