Hanoi (VNA) – A workshop was heldin Hanoi on December 20 to help the Ministry of Industry and Trade implement anaction plan to increase the competitiveness of logistics services in Vietnamthrough 2025, as well as to attract investment to build logistics centres so asto boost the sale of Vietnamese goods in the European and American regions.
The event was jointly held by the ministry’sDepartment of European-American Market and the Institute for Brand andCompetitiveness Strategy.
According to the ministry, Vietnam holds astrategic location in the region with a coastline of over 3,000 km - agreat advantage for the development of international logistics centres.
However, most of the domestic logisticsbusinesses are operating at small scale, so their financial capacity andmanagement ability remain restricted, mainly providing cargo services.
Meanwhile, foreign direct investment (FDI) firmsin Vietnam often look for integrated logistics services that are not only aboutfreight transport but also go with other added value services such as customsclearance, storage, packaging and distribution.
Ta Hoang Linh, head of the department,highlighted factors that could affect the sustainable development of thelogistics industry such as poor transport infrastructure system, rigid customsprocedures, and lack of connectivity between businesses.
He held that it is necessary to take measures toboost the development of logistics centres in the European and Americanregions.
On July 3, 2015, the Prime Minister approved aplan to develop the logistics centre system across the country through 2020with a vision to 2030.
Linh suggested supporting logistics centres withvarious types of transportation such as road, railway, shipping, inlandwaterway, and air lift.
Experts said logistics centres must be managedas a sole and neutral legal agency and ensure trade cooperation.
At the same time, it is necessary to have clearand reasonable regulations for the centres’ operation, especially inspectionstages, they said.-VNA