Faced with market demands, many businesses have pioneered the combination of digital transformation and green transformation by using renewable energy sources, applying clean technology and developing environmentally friendly products, helping to protect natural resources and reduce pollution. This helps balance economic growth, environmental protection, contributes to enhancing national status, and realizes the commitment to contribute to global sustainable development goals.
Recently, the Prime Minister issued Directive No. 44/CT-TTg on implementing a number of key tasks and solutions to promote the implementation of the National Strategy on Green Growth for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, to build a green image and create competitive advantages for Vietnamese enterprises in the international arena.
Vietnam News Agency has published 4 articles on the inevitable trend of green transformation, digital transformation, practical lessons, proposed support solutions as well as international experiences for Vietnamese exporters to go further in the global game.
Lesson 1: Catching up with the global game
Green growth, green development, and circular economy have become global trends as a positive solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance economic resilience and innovation, and aim for carbon neutrality and sustainable development.
Adapting to the rules of the game
Many developed economies in the world have set stricter environmental regulations on imported goods such as the European green growth policy, the European green deal, along with mechanisms and programs such as: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM); farm-to-table strategy; circular economy action plan or biodiversity strategy to 2030...
Not only the EU has introduced strict regulations, the US has also proposed a similar Clean Competition Act from 2024 for primary goods and from 2026 for both primary goods and finished goods. It is expected that goods that exceed the permitted emission level will have to pay a carbon price of 55 USD (in 2024) and increase by 5% each year with inflation adjustment. The law applies to all countries and territories, except the least developed economies.
In addition, the UK and Canada have initiated consultations among stakeholders to discuss a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM)... This poses a series of challenges for businesses in ensuring quality, demonstrating environmentally friendly products and manufacturing according to sustainable processes.
Trade experts believe that the long-term trend of international trade will introduce many non-tariff barriers, making green transformation and digital transformation mandatory. Therefore, Vietnamese enterprises need to be aware of the need to mobilize climate finance to create revenue to offset costs in technology transformation. In addition, enterprises must set requirements for human resource training, especially emission inventory and reporting staff, and participate in the carbon credit market, etc. to bring more opportunities for enterprises in green transformation, towards sustainable exports.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Vice President of the Association of Foreign Investment Enterprises (VAFIE), also said that the new context urgently requires green transformation and digital transformation because this is the path to help businesses overcome difficulties, strive for sustainable development and successfully integrate with global trends.
In fact, in Vietnam, in the period 2016 - 2023, goods exports increased nearly 2.2 times. From 162 billion USD in 2015, exports increased continuously over the years, reaching 354.7 billion USD in 2023 and about 405.53 billion USD in 2024. Therefore, if well utilized, Vietnam's exports will continue to grow, contributing to the country's development. In particular, green exports not only help businesses minimize the risk of being eliminated from the market but also build sustainable brands, enhance product value and reach high-end customer segments globally.
Commenting on this issue, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan said: Vietnam, with its existing potential and advantages, is facing many great opportunities to become an important link in the global supply chain, especially exporting green and sustainable goods; promoting investment in renewable energy, cleaner production, digital economy, and circular economy.
Regarding exports to the EU, Mr. Do Huu Hung - Department of European-American Markets (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said: It is predicted that this trend of the EU will be tightened by major markets that Vietnam exports to and set green standards.
One of those policies is the EU Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), which will have a strong impact on global trade, especially trade from countries to the EU. Meanwhile, although Vietnam's exports are high, they mainly focus on quantity and do not have products with high scientific and technological content.
Economist Dinh Trong Thinh pointed out that 98% of Vietnamese enterprises are small and medium-sized enterprises. Therefore, if technology changes are required for green production, there will be great pressure because the financial capacity of enterprises is weak and lacking.
Therefore, the authorities need to soon set standards for green production for each item and product. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the average CO2 emission level for each product in each industry. If any business saves below that level, it is also considered green production.
Mr. Dinh Trong Thinh also proposed facilitating policies such as tax exemptions and credit interest rate reductions for businesses that achieve green products. On the other hand, the Ministry of Industry and Trade needs to grasp the technological chain and production techniques through the trade system to support businesses in updating new trends from the market.
Building a strategy
In Resolution No. 01 dated January 5, 2025, the Government set the target of total export turnover growth rate in 2025 at 12%, striving for 14% growth in favorable conditions. In particular, the Government also emphasized the task of promoting green and sustainable exports; exploiting opportunities from 17 signed Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), diversifying supply chains, production chains and export markets associated with improving product quality...
Mr. Le Tien Truong - Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) said: Greening production is not a matter of wanting or not, but a mandatory requirement, a unique path if one does not want to be left behind in the global game. However, to meet the requirements of green production, enterprises are facing technology, costs... and need to overcome challenges to avoid being eliminated from the supply chain.
Therefore, in addition to the efforts of enterprises, the Government, ministries and sectors need to accompany in creating a policy corridor to encourage investors to move towards green production, especially credit policies with preferential interest rates and limits. This is also a specific step of Vietnam to achieve the commitment of "zero carbon" by 2050.
According to Mr. Dang Vu Hung - Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Phong Phu Group (PPJ Group), the combination of digital transformation helps green production and green growth of enterprises to create outstanding sustainability. However, to effectively carry out this dual transformation process is difficult for enterprises with limited potential.
Moreover, investment costs for technology and production make product prices higher than traditional models. Therefore, in addition to efforts from businesses, the support of authorities is needed.
According to Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the State has the function of leading enterprises in digital transformation and creating an ecosystem to encourage enterprises to transform digitally. Therefore, in addition to the efforts of enterprises, the State needs to quickly build synchronous institutions, laws, and digital economic policies; at the same time, reform institutions to attract investment in digital technology; create a favorable environment to promote digital transformation, and support enterprises to develop sustainably.
“Seizing opportunities not only helps Vietnam meet the requirements of the international market but also enhances the national position, realizing the commitment to contribute to the goal of sustainable development. However, this transformation requires a synchronous strategy from the Government's orientation through incentive and support mechanisms and policies. In addition, the initiative of enterprises in investing in implementing green transformation solutions and the spirit of cooperation of related parties”, Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan expressed.
In order to help businesses meet green standards, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed: Over the past time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been implementing a series of measures to support businesses in the direction of promoting green trade and sustainable development. In particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has also built an ecosystem model for each industry to support businesses in the production process to meet increasingly stringent market requirements.
In the coming time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will focus on changing the mindset of businesses, raising awareness of green supply chains; in which, building a strategy towards the goal of Vietnam becoming the world's green factory. In particular, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will coordinate with associations and industries in training and coaching businesses related to models, brands, and designs so that exported products can develop sustainably in the international market.
Lesson 2: Choosing survival to go further
Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/kinh-te/xuat-khau-xanh-bai-1-bat-nhip-cuoc-choi-toan-cau/20250221103256853
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