Co-chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and the Quang Ngai Provincial People's Committee, the conference brought together around 350 delegates, including leaders of ministries, sectors, localities, associations and businesses.

The conference was attended by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Luong Hoang Thai and representatives of the leadership of the Department of Planning, Finance and Enterprise Management; the Electricity Authority of Viet Nam; the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency; the Viet Nam Department of Geology and Minerals; the Agency of Foreign Trade; the Industrial Safety Techniques and Environment Agency; the Viet Nam E-Commerce Agency; and the National Competition Commission, as well as leaders of the Departments of Industry and Trade of the 11 provinces and cities.

The central region and the Central Highlands comprise 11 provinces and cities: Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong. Covering the North Central region, the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands, the area has a total natural area of 150,396.9 km², accounting for more than 27.5% of the country's total area, a population of over 31 million and a coastline of more than 1,917 km.

The central region and the Central Highlands hold a particularly important strategic position in terms of the economy, national defense and security. The area has great potential and advantages for developing industry, tourism, services, seaports and high-tech agriculture. Its transport network of roads, railways, seaports and airports facilitates intra-regional trade and connections with Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, South Asian countries and southwestern China via the East-West Economic Corridor.

In the first 10 months of the year, industrial production in the region continued to grow positively. Nine of the 11 localities recorded industrial production index (IIP) growth of more than 10%, notably Ha Tinh at 42.17%, Nghe An at 21.49% and Quang Ngai at 13.8%. For the full year of 2026, the IIP of most localities is estimated to rise by 10-21.5%.

Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue of the 11 localities in the first 10 months are estimated at VND 1,551 trillion, up 17.7% year on year. Notably, 11 localities achieved double-digit growth of more than 10%. For the full year, total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue are estimated at VND 1,867 trillion, up 16.8% from 2025.

Total export turnover in the first 10 months is estimated at USD 34.391 billion, up 17.1% year on year, while import turnover is estimated at USD 34.086 billion, up 19%. For the full year, export turnover is estimated at USD 41.265 billion, up 17.3%, and import turnover at USD 40.111 billion, up 16.2% from 2025.

The organizers set up 31 booths showcasing signature products, OCOP products and outstanding rural industrial products of localities and businesses.

Leveraging their existing potential and advantages, and with the close leadership and direction of the Government and the MOIT, as well as the strong determination of Party committees, authorities, businesses and workers in the 11 provinces and cities of the central region and the Central Highlands, the industry and trade sector has made every effort to overcome difficulties and promote industrial production and trade, achieving important results in the first 10 months of 2026 and in the estimated performance for the full year.

With complementary strengths in industrial production, seaport development, logistics and trade, localities in the central region and the Central Highlands have many opportunities to expand linkages in production, investment and product distribution. To make the most of these strengths, the industry and trade sectors of these localities need to share experience regularly, coordinate in resolving difficulties and promote trade connections within the region.

The conference also offered an opportunity for the industry and trade sectors of the 11 provinces and cities to review their performance in the first 10 months and the estimated results for 2026, identify difficulties and obstacles, and set out key directions and tasks for 2027.

At the conference venue, the organizers set up 31 booths showcasing signature products, OCOP products and outstanding rural industrial products of localities and businesses.