Minister of Industry and Trade sends 5 proposals to FIATA President

Since the beginning of 2024, the increase in shipping rates, congestion at some Asian ports and the lack of empty containers have had an impact on Vietnam's import and export goods. Faced with this situation, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien sent a letter to the President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) to discuss, promote cooperation and propose a number of contents related to this issue.

Customs clearance of exported goods at the port. (Photo: Duc Duy/Vietnam+)

In the letter, on behalf of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien sent Mr. Turgut Erkeskin - President of FIATA warm congratulations on the occasion of his successful conclusion of his working trip to Vietnam as President of FIATA.

Over the years, FIATA has demonstrated its role as a leading international organization in the field of logistics, bringing together 114 national logistics associations, operating in 150 countries and territories, with about 40,000 related businesses worldwide. Vietnam highly appreciates the role of FIATA, as demonstrated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receiving FIATA Presidents who visited Vietnam for two consecutive years 2023-2024. Vietnam is also honored to be chosen by FIATA as the venue to host the FIATA Congress in October 2025.

At the meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 9, 2024, Mr. Turgut Erkeskin pledged to strongly support Vietnamese state agencies, first of all the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to promote the development of logistics services and turn Vietnam into a regional and world logistics service center.

The Prime Minister also asked Mr. Turgut Erkeskin and FIATA to share information, advice and support on digital transformation and green transformation; solutions for developing agricultural and industrial logistics; developing trade-logistics corridors; developing logistics infrastructure; and training high-quality human resources for the industry.

Vietnam is an export-oriented economy. In the first 6 months of 2024, the total import-export value of the country reached 369.62 billion USD, up 16% over the same period last year. Of which, the export value reached 190.73 billion USD, up 14.9%; the import value reached 178.88 billion USD, up 17.3%. The trade balance is estimated to have a trade surplus of 11.85 billion USD.

However, since the beginning of 2024, the increase in shipping rates, congestion at some Asian ports and lack of empty containers have had a serious impact, affecting the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the international market.

With FIATA’s role as an important bridge contributing to promoting logistics cooperation and facilitating trade activities between countries, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien hopes that Mr. Turgut Erkeskin and FIATA can support and take practical measures to help Vietnamese enterprises overcome the difficulties caused by the above-mentioned increase in sea freight rates, port congestion and shortage of empty containers. This may include:

First, FIATA's proposed solution to this global problem.

Second, share experiences and solutions that FIATA member countries and associations have been applying, especially in handling non-freight charges collected at ports.

Third, within its sphere of influence with other international organizations in the fields of import and export, logistics and supply chain management, emphasize Vietnam's position in the global value chain to have appropriate priorities in means and equipment for transporting import and export goods for the Vietnamese market.

Fourth, support the Vietnamese Government in its strategy to position Vietnam as a center for goods production and a new international transit location in Asia in the global logistics business community.

Fifth, authorize Vietnamese organizations to participate in training and granting FIATA certificates to contribute to quickly training professional human resources with high ability to access international markets.

On the side of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien said: “We will also direct export industry associations , associations and businesses in the logistics sector to connect, cooperate closely, and have timely response plans to minimize risks and losses from complex developments in the future.

We believe that the cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and FIATA will continue to develop, Vietnam will make worthy contributions to enhancing the role and position of FIATA and FIATA will effectively support Vietnam to integrate into the world logistics market" .

Source: https://congthuong.vn/bo-truong-bo-cong-thuong-gui-5-de-xuat-den-chu-tich-fiata-332428.html