Government launches development of digital trade ecosystem

Director of Vietrade’s Information Technology Application Center Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy

What is the highlight of the project recently approved by the Prime Minister to promote the application of IT and digital transformation in trade promotion in the 2021-2030 period?

The project focuses on building and forming a Digital Trade Promotion Ecosystem (DECOBIZ). The main beneficiaries are government trade promotion agencies, trade promotion organizations, enterprises, cooperatives, and household businesses.

The key solution to develop DECOBIZ is to build and develop applications and digital platforms in a comprehensive and synchronous manner, including a database system for trade promotion management, market research, and organization of trade fairs and exhibitions in a digital environment.

Vietrade has been building an operating mechanism for the ecosystem, connecting units, grouping functions, setting connection principles and swapping units in the chain to carry out the work smoothly.

Before the project was approved, Vietrade applied IT in trade promotion activities with the participation of enterprises in many fields. Could you elaborate on these efforts?

Actually, Vietrade carried out many activities to support businesses in digital transformation before the pandemic outbreak. We organized trade promotion training programs in digital environments, implemented on the Vietrade Edu platform, as well as training on e-commerce floors, IT and digital transformation training, and online or live streamed sales for cooperatives and production households.

We have also piloted trade promotion activities on digital platforms by organizing online trade exchange conferences and organizing and participating in virtual fairs.

Conference on implementation of a project to promote the application of IT and digital transformation in trade promotion

So in your opinion, what should businesses do to take full advantage of the project and ensure its effectiveness?

The first step is revised thinking to overcome enterprises’ biggest barrier to digital transformation. In addition to changing mindsets, determination and commitment are two indispensable factors for success.

The second is formulating a long-term strategy. Enterprises need to prepare long-term and methodical strategies on business, technology application, products and services, human resources, etc. to actively exploit digital platforms, focusing on developing websites and social networks to interact with customers, thereby approaching and developing their market.

The third step is the follow instructions. The MoIT will issue guidelines for organizations and units to implement the scheme in stages. Accordingly, enterprises need to keep updated, and develop plans and roadmaps to follow these orientations.

Fourth, human and financial resources are important and decisive factors for the successful implementation of the project. Enterprises need a roadmap to start the process from available resources to save costs and achieve efficiency.

And the final measure is active research. Businesses also need to study Vietnam’s free trade agreements and appropriate digital transformation trends and models.

Enterprises are the core beneficiaries of digital trade promotion

The project sets many major goals. What tasks will Vietrade focus on?

We will focus on improving staff capacity, building a team of experienced consultants and experts to implement the project and provide technical support to organizations and localities. At the same time, we will focus on gradually building DECOBIZ according to an overall, synchronous and appropriate architecture; ensuring its smooth connections and operation; coordinating with domestic and international partners and experts to develop plans annually for specific stages.

In addition to mobilizing resources, unifying and synchronizing activities among organizations and units, implementation of activities is a decisive factor for the project’s success.