Attending the conference were Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, Minister - Chairman of the Ethnic Committee Hau A Lenh, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang; representatives of Party and State agencies; agencies of the National Assembly; ministries, branches and central agencies.
Also attending the conference were leaders of the Ministry and leaders of the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade through the periods; leaders of the Vietnam Trade Union of Industry and Trade, the General Department of Market Management and Departments, Offices, Institutes, Newspapers, Magazines, Centers and local Market Management Departments, Schools under the Ministry of Industry and Trade...; representatives of leaders of the Department of Industry and Trade of provinces and centrally-run cities; corporations, general companies, industry associations and enterprises in the field of Industry and Trade.
The conference was held directly at the Ministry of Industry and Trade and connected online with the network of Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad.
Bright spots contribute to economic development
Reporting at the Conference on the situation and results of the implementation of the tasks of the Industry and Trade sector in 2023, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang said that in 2023, our country will carry out the task of socio-economic development in a context of many difficulties and challenges. The world situation continues to evolve rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably; the global economy recovers much slower than forecast; many countries, including our country's major trading partners, are growing more slowly, posing many potential risks; although inflation has cooled down, it is still at a high level, leading to many major economies maintaining tight monetary policies, high interest rates, declining demand in countries, directly affecting countries with large economic openness, including Vietnam...
In that context, with the synchronous and drastic direction of the Party and State leaders, together with the great efforts and determination of the entire political system, the people of the whole country, and the business community, our country's economy has achieved remarkable results: Stable macro-economy, controlled inflation, and guaranteed macro-balances... Contributing to these common achievements, the Industry and Trade sector, under the direct direction of the Government and the Prime Minister, has actively and proactively coordinated closely with central ministries, branches and localities to synchronously and effectively implement solutions to remove difficulties, support businesses to restore and develop production and business; directed to ensure the supply of essential materials, raw materials, and goods; promoted foreign economic activities, trade promotion, and connecting supply and demand of goods; Effectively exploit trade forms, market types, diversify products and supply chains, promote exports, and make important and positive contributions to the country's economic development.
Accordingly, the industrial value added is estimated to increase by 2.98% for the whole year, of which the processing and manufacturing industry is estimated to increase by 3.48%, contributing positively to the economic recovery. Many localities have made efforts to overcome difficulties, gradually restored production, and maintained good industrial performance with the IIP index increasing in most localities across the country. Many key industrial areas continue to recover or maintain positive growth momentum such as Ba Ria - Vung Tau; Binh Duong; Vinh Phuc; Vinh Long; Quang Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, etc.
Regarding import and export, in 2023, actively take advantage of opportunities from the recovery of our country's large and traditional markets to boost exports. Total import and export turnover in 2023 is estimated at 683 billion USD, of which exports are estimated at 354.5 billion USD and imports are estimated at 328.5 billion USD. The trade balance continues to record a trade surplus for the 8th consecutive year with an estimated surplus of nearly 30 billion USD, nearly 3 times higher than in 2022, contributing positively to the balance of payments, helping to increase foreign exchange reserves, stabilize exchange rates and other macroeconomic indicators of the economy. In the context of many difficulties in the world economy, declining global aggregate demand, although Vietnam's export activities have not yet achieved an increase compared to the previous year, the decline has been significantly narrowed.
Domestic trade activities continue to effectively exploit the market's purchasing power, recover positively, and achieve growth rates that surpass the overall growth rate of the economy. Total retail sales of goods and service revenue in 2023 are estimated to increase by 9.6% compared to 2022, exceeding the industry's plan target (target of 8-9%). The abundant supply of domestic goods, meeting people's consumption needs, helping to stabilize the market, consumer stimulus programs, and concentrated promotion months are organized simultaneously in localities, increasing shopping demand. Supply and demand connection work is well implemented, prices are relatively stable, contributing to ensuring social security, realizing the Government's goal of controlling inflation; strengthening the link between domestic manufacturers and major distribution systems nationwide. Regarding the petroleum market, the work of price management and ensuring petroleum supply is of interest and direction, always closely monitoring developments in the domestic and international petroleum market to promptly direct or recommend to competent authorities solutions to ensure petroleum supply for the market.
In addition, state management work for sectors and fields (market management, trade defense, integration, trade promotion, industrial cluster management, industrial promotion, science and technology, personnel organization, etc.) is organized and implemented synchronously and promptly, contributing positively to the overall achievements of the whole sector.
In addition to those positive results, the leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade also frankly acknowledged the shortcomings and limitations in the Industry and Trade sector in 2023, such as: The Industrial Production Index (IIP) has changed positively but is still slow, only starting to recover from the end of the third quarter. Manufacturing and export enterprises continue to face a shortage of orders from the international market, a number of enterprises have to reduce production scale, cut output; the number of dissolved and bankrupt enterprises has increased. Export turnover to most key markets has decreased although the decline is gradually narrowing. The level of dependence on the FDI sector in exports is still large when the export turnover of FDI enterprises (including crude oil) still accounts for about 73% of the total export turnover of the country. Trade infrastructure has developed unevenly, especially in difficult and extremely difficult areas; has not attracted investment to develop synchronous infrastructure, especially large-scale infrastructure with spillover effects. There is still a lack of close connection between parties in the goods supply chain (manufacturers, distributors, transporters, consumers).
Effective and close coordination with ministries, branches and localities
Sharing at the Conference, the representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that the cooperation between the two sectors is a tradition, closely linked for many years, contributing significantly to the cause of agricultural and rural development. In the new term, the two Ministries have concretized cooperation through comprehensive programs such as the Joint Program on developing production, processing, consumption and export of agricultural products, contributing to the goal of industrialization of Vietnam's agriculture and affirming the brand of Vietnamese agricultural products in the domestic and international markets. In 2023, the two Ministries directed relevant units in developing markets, solving output for agricultural products; ensuring updates on domestic market demand; coordinating negotiations to open markets; sharing market information and organizing many seminars and conferences, promptly coordinating to handle difficulties in exports.
Regarding coordination in resource management and environmental protection, the representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also shared that the Ministry has coordinated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies to develop and submit to the Prime Minister for promulgation the List of scrap permitted to be imported from abroad as raw materials for production in Decision No. 13/2023/QD-TTg dated May 22, 2023; coordinate in reviewing and developing national environmental technical regulations on imported scrap as raw materials for production (expected to be completed and submitted for promulgation in 2024)...
From a local perspective, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung - Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee said that with the close direction of the Government, the coordination and professional guidance of the Central Ministries and branches in general, the Ministry of Industry and Trade in particular, Ho Chi Minh City has made efforts to deploy management solutions in the field of industry and trade to ensure stable economic development, maintain and promote production and supply activities, focus on supporting businesses to effectively exploit export markets, and make the most of opportunities from the domestic market. "To prepare for 2024, Ho Chi Minh City sets an economic growth target of 7.5 - 8%, in which the Industry and Trade sector continues to be identified as one of the important pillars contributing to the city's economic growth" - Mr. Nguyen Van Dung emphasized.
Also at the Conference, representatives of ministries, branches, localities, enterprises, industry associations, and units under the Ministry frankly exchanged, discussed, and assessed the situation and development results of the Industry and Trade sector in 2023; and proposed key solutions for 2024.
5 key solutions for 2024
Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha acknowledged, highly appreciated and commended the efforts and important results that the Industry and Trade sector has achieved in 2023. The whole sector has strived to overcome challenges and difficulties, both solving internal problems and creating new breakthroughs and developments, especially in the context of more difficulties and challenges than advantages, the international situation is evolving rapidly, complicatedly, unpredictably, negatively and multi-dimensionally affecting the process of economic recovery and development in the country. On behalf of the Government and Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha sent congratulations to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, localities and enterprises on the important results achieved in the past year, especially the system of Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad - this is the pioneering force on the trade and economic integration front of the country.
The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that the Industry and Trade sector is taking the lead with two pillars (industry and trade) to innovate and develop the country. The work that the Industry and Trade sector has implemented in 2023 is revolutionary, innovative and challenging.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said that we have achieved remarkable figures, demonstrating the great efforts of the entire political system. Specifically, 10/15 targets were completed and exceeded the set plan; total import-export turnover is estimated at 683 billion USD, of which the trade surplus is about 30 billion USD; food security is ensured, output is high, the labor market is recovering positively... Many international organizations have highly appreciated those results and forecast that Vietnam will recover quickly in the coming time. In the overall success of the whole country, there is a very important and comprehensive contribution of the Industry and Trade sector in terms of perfecting legal compliance, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management and developing industries and fields of production and trade, including issues related to ensuring material sources and supplying important fuel sources that are the lifeblood of the economy.
At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to frankly identify the difficulties, challenges, shortcomings and inadequacies to determine solutions to overcome them in the coming time. Accordingly, the Deputy Prime Minister assigned specific tasks to the Industry and Trade sector to focus on completing and exceeding the goals and tasks assigned by the Government, contributing to the successful and comprehensive implementation of the 2024 Plan. Affirming the great mission of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Industry and Trade sector for the country's development, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha believes that the Industry and Trade sector, with its tradition, will always overcome the storms, becoming stronger and more steadfast in the development process. Thereby, creating important creative and constructive achievements for the country's development in the direction of innovation, integration, self-reliance and self-reliance.
Speaking to receive the Deputy Prime Minister's direction and close the Conference, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien assessed and summarized the outstanding results of the Industry and Trade sector in 2023, as well as pointed out the shortcomings, limitations and causes, especially subjective causes in the Ministry's work activities in 2023. The Minister assessed that the above shortcomings and limitations are bottlenecks for the development of the sector over the past many years; therefore, it is necessary to frankly and receptively acknowledge these limitations to seriously learn from experience and have solutions to promptly overcome them, creating more substantial and stronger changes in the coming time.
Regarding the implementation of tasks for the coming year, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien assessed that 2024 is a decisive year for the implementation of the goals of the 5-year Plan (2021-2025). In addition to favorable factors, the international, regional and domestic situations are forecast to continue to develop in a complex and unpredictable manner; production and business activities of the business community continue to face many difficulties and challenges.
In order to promptly overcome the limitations and weaknesses of the past time, continue to innovate, improve the quality of work, complete and exceed the assigned goals and tasks; on behalf of the Party Executive Committee and the Ministry's leaders, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien requested units in the whole Industry to thoroughly grasp, absorb and seriously implement the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha at the Conference; at the same time, focus on implementing well the following contents and solutions:
Firstly, continue to study, thoroughly grasp and seriously and effectively organize the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws related to industrial and trade development; especially the Resolutions and Conclusions of the Central Committee, the National Assembly and the Government on socio-economic development in 2024. Focus on innovation and improving the quality of institutional work; in the immediate future, focus on completing and submitting to the Prime Minister for approval the Implementation Plans of 04 National Sectoral Plans on energy and minerals and urgently advise on the development, amendment and supplementation of Laws, Decrees, mechanisms and policies that play an important role in the production and business of enterprises; at the same time, proactively propose to competent authorities to pilot a number of breakthrough mechanisms and policies to promote the development of emerging sectors and fields and new, effective business models, creating new momentum for the country's economic growth.
Second, urgently develop an Action Plan and focus on synchronously, drastically and effectively implementing the tasks assigned in the Government's Resolution on key solutions for socio-economic development, improving the investment and business environment, and enhancing national competitiveness in 2024; in which, focusing on tasks and solutions to address "bottlenecks" and focus on removing difficulties, supporting businesses to recover and develop production, especially in the processing and manufacturing industry; speed up the implementation of industrial, energy and trade development projects, especially key projects, to put them into operation soon, contributing to improving the endogenous capacity of the country's economy.
Third, promote and create more positive changes in restructuring the industry and trade sector in association with renewing the growth model towards enhancing the application of science and technology, innovation, improving productivity, quality, efficiency, competitiveness, autonomy, adaptability and resilience of the economy. Focus on developing fundamental, important industries and supporting industries; at the same time, prioritize the development of a number of key industries, new technologies, high technologies (such as chip manufacturing, semiconductors, mining, and processing of precious minerals) to become a new driving force for the development of the industry and trade sector in the coming time.
Fourth, continue to promote international economic integration; proactively advise on exploiting opportunities from foreign relations with major countries to anticipate the wave of investment shifting in key industries to third countries by multinational corporations to prevent supply chain disruptions, especially in areas where our country has demand and advantages, such as: Electronics industry, digital infrastructure, logistics infrastructure, clean energy, new materials industry, chips and semiconductors; mining and processing of precious minerals; at the same time, strengthen the effective implementation of solutions to closely connect FDI enterprises with domestic enterprises to promote the development of management skills, technology transfer, contributing to improving the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises, meeting the requirements of increasingly participating in the global production and supply chain.
Further promote the role of the system of Vietnamese Trade Offices abroad in supporting localities and enterprises to effectively exploit the Free Trade Agreements of which Vietnam is a member to diversify markets, supply chains and boost exports. Actively advise on negotiations, signing new and upgrading Free Trade Agreements with potential partners in the Middle East, Africa and South America, creating momentum to strengthen trade and investment cooperation; at the same time, increase support for enterprises to strongly shift to official exports associated with brand building to promote sustainable exports.
Focus on innovating trade promotion activities, closely combining traditional and modern trade, e-commerce, and digital economy to effectively exploit the domestic market with great potential; at the same time, closely monitor the developments in supply and demand, prices, and markets of essential goods for appropriate and effective management; strengthen market management and improve trade defense capacity, protect production and consumer interests, in accordance with international commitments.
Fifth, focus on reorganizing the apparatus and personnel; rectifying and re-establishing administrative discipline and order; improving the effectiveness and efficiency of direction, management and compliance of cadres, civil servants and public employees, associated with promoting the responsibility of leaders in implementing tasks. Continue to promote administrative reform, innovate working methods and styles, create strong changes in the entire system to successfully and comprehensively implement the goals and tasks assigned by the Party and State.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that after the Conference, the Ministry's leaders will continue to direct the supplementation and completion of the Industry's Action Plan for the coming year and focus on organizing the drastic and effective implementation of the tasks and solutions set out with the highest efforts right from the first days and months of the new year to successfully and comprehensively implement the goals and tasks assigned by the Party and the State. Regarding the recommendations and proposals of ministries, branches, localities, industry associations, and enterprises, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will promptly consider and resolve them according to its authority or synthesize and report to competent authorities for consideration and direction to resolve issues beyond its authority.
Within the framework of the Conference, the Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the decision to award the Second and Third Class Labor Medals of the President to 2 individuals of the Ministry; Certificates of Merit of the Prime Minister to 2 individuals of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for their outstanding achievements in work from 2018 to 2022, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland; Awarding the Emulation Flag of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to 06 collectives of the Ministry's agencies that have excellently completed their tasks, leading in the emulation movement of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in 2022.
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