Green export: Change or exit the “game”?
Seafood enterprises increase investment in green exports. |
Enterprises proactively change
As a textile and garment enterprise mainly operating in the export sector, many years ago, Phong Phu Joint Stock Company proactively changed the robot technology line and implemented control of technical requirements for orders for the two EU and US markets. A series of processes were adjusted, such as strict management of consuming electricity, water, emissions, and wastewater; developing a plan to reduce energy and chemical consumption; and gradually replacing old equipment, creating a good working environment for workers. This not only helps Phong Phu textile and garment meet standards and enhance its reputation with partners but also increases the competitiveness of its products, attracting more orders, especially from premium brands.
Another exporting company, Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company, is also implementing solutions to promote green exports. Dr Ho Quoc Luc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sao Ta Food, shared that the company has been expanding sustainable aquaculture models and upgrading value chains in its aquaculture feed system. Thanks to good aquaculture zoning, production by value chains, and control over all stages of production and processing, the company meets all quality, food safety, and quarantine requirements from the EU.
The global trend of consumers choosing seafood for health benefits also demands that businesses move towards green production, using controlled aquaculture while reducing exploitation to ensure sustainable development. This presents both challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese seafood companies.
The rapid shift by businesses toward green production and export methods has enabled them to meet market demands, particularly in major export markets.
Nguyen Cam Trang, Deputy Director of the Import-Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), said that green production, green economy, and circular economy are inevitable trends. Each country has its own plans and timelines to implement these activities. In reality, the green regulations of importing countries allow time for exporting countries like Vietnam to gradually adapt rather than imposing immediate requirements.
“Vietnamese businesses have already shown awareness, and many have proactively implemented measures to meet these regulations. However, we are still facing many difficulties and limitations in adapting,” shared Trang.
Agreeing with this, Le Quoc Phuong, former Deputy Director of the MoIT’s Industry and Trade Information Centre, noted that Vietnam has joined 16 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), many of which include green requirements. For example, the FTA with the EU contains regulations on carbon evaluation, emissions during production, and green export strategies. However, many businesses are still unaware of these.
Moreover, some businesses, though aware, view green transformation as a challenge and reluctantly comply due to limited financial resources. This is a key reason why green transformation, production, and export in Vietnam have been slow and challenging.
Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear, and Handbag Association, shared that meeting green standards is a gradual process because it involves significant technology investment.
For instance, businesses must switch to clean energy or replace fuel sources like coal in factories. These are requirements that demand substantial resources. Nonetheless, businesses understand that if they do not adapt, they will lose orders. Companies that have sustained and developed to this point are those that have invested in green standards, while those unable to adapt will gradually be eliminated from the market.
Promoting green export businesses
Dr Nguyen Thị Thu Trang, Director of the WTO and Integration Centre under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), believes that transitioning to green production and export requires significant capital investment and advanced technology, which not all businesses can pursue and meet. However, this is an irreversible trend, and to avoid being excluded from the “game” by the high environmental and social standards set by import markets, Vietnamese businesses need more support from ministries, sectors, and local authorities in terms of mechanisms and policies.
Increasing green production and exports is an irreversible trend. |
To help Vietnamese export businesses quickly meet green standards, the Ministry of Industry and Trade focuses on shifting business mindset, raising awareness of green supply chains, and aiming to turn Vietnam into a “green factory” of the world.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stated that in the near future, the Ministry will implement international cooperation programmes to help businesses select the most suitable certifications or standards for each market and product target. This will allow businesses to minimise compliance costs and enhance their product and business competitiveness.
At the same time, to avoid violations of regulations in importing countries, businesses need to prepare and research market conditions, particularly technical measures specific to each market, to ensure full compliance before exporting. The Ministry has instructed the Vietnam Trade Office network abroad to support businesses in promoting their efforts to adapt to and meet green standards set by other countries.
Guidelines, handbooks, and information related to foreign regulations will also be provided to associations and businesses promptly, helping them to proactively plan production and business operations in line with market demands.
The Ministry will also collaborate with industry associations to conduct training on product models, branding, and design to ensure that export products can sustainably grow in global markets.
See also
Vietnamese pangasius becomes leading option for Brazilian consumers
15:44 | 15/10/2024 Foreign trade
Shrimp exports bring home nearly 2.8 billion USD in nine months
09:56 | 15/10/2024 Major exports
Việt Nam's trade turnover poised to hit $800 billion mark
09:51 | 15/10/2024 Foreign trade
Vietnam-Cambodia trade turnover soars by 21.9% in nine months
09:50 | 14/10/2024 Foreign trade
Tuyen Quang exports first batch of OCOP products to the UK
16:47 | 12/10/2024 Foreign trade
See more news
US issues preliminary anti-subsidy findings on solar panel imports from Vietnam
09:25 | 08/10/2024 Foreign trade
Vietnam, Tunisia promote trade cooperation
10:04 | 07/10/2024 Foreign trade
Import-export revenue rises over 16% in nine months
08:54 | 07/10/2024 Foreign trade
Rice exports expected to exceed 5 billion USD target
17:04 | 06/10/2024 Major exports
US initiates probe into dumping and countervailing duties on Vietnamese steel
16:55 | 06/10/2024 Foreign trade
Vietnam's rice export turnover up 23.5% in nine months
17:16 | 05/10/2024 Major exports
Nine-month agro-forestry-fisheries exports rise 21%
09:35 | 04/10/2024 Foreign trade
Vietnam earns over 7 billion USD from fishery exports in nine months
09:11 | 04/10/2024 Major exports
Vietnam-France trade, investment ties expected to grow further
09:06 | 04/10/2024 Foreign trade
US initiates administrative reviews of anti-dumping duties on three products from Việt Nam
15:38 | 03/10/2024 Foreign trade
PM orders strengthening 2024 credit management
17:31 | 28/11/2024 Finance-Banking
GEIMS Việt Nam 2024 kicks off
16:49 | 28/11/2024 Economy
Culture week to promote Vạn Phúc traditional silk craft
16:45 | 28/11/2024 Culture
Border tourism development enhanced through Magnificent Guangxi event
16:39 | 28/11/2024 Tourism
HCM City, north-west foster tourism links
16:33 | 28/11/2024 Tourism
Multimedia
Ancient house comes to life
16:30 | 28/11/2024 Culture
Strengthening Vietnam-Cambodia friendship and cooperation
10:03 | 28/11/2024 Infographic
Vietnam, Bulgaria strengthen traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation
08:56 | 26/11/2024 Infographic
Banning motorbikes - a complex issue
09:32 | 24/11/2024 Society
Vietnam - Malaysia Strategic Partnership
10:54 | 21/11/2024 Infographic
NA passes revised law on human trafficking prevention, control
16:29 | 28/11/2024 Policy
Legislature passes amendments to health insurance law
15:49 | 28/11/2024 Policy
Lawmakers discuss bill on corporate income tax
10:27 | 28/11/2024 Policy
NA approves investment policy for national target programme on cultural development
18:02 | 27/11/2024 Policy
Cinnamon industry seeks to take advantage of trade deal to expand exports to the UK
09:20 | 28/11/2024 Industry
HCM City: Strong leap into semiconductor industry
16:44 | 27/11/2024 Industry
Nam Định to build two new industrial clusters
15:07 | 27/11/2024 Industry
Vietnam seeks Danish assistance in green energy development
11:21 | 26/11/2024 Energy
Bulgarian President invites VinFast to invest in electric vehicle production
16:50 | 27/11/2024 Investment
Japanese retailer Aeon to break ground on 4th shopping mall in Northern Vietnam
15:54 | 25/11/2024 Investment
Thai packaging giant takes 30-year lease for largest ready-built factory in Tay Ninh
16:58 | 22/11/2024 Investment
Workshop seeks ways to attract Japan’s green investment to Vietnam
09:43 | 20/11/2024 Investment
PM orders strengthening 2024 credit management
17:31 | 28/11/2024 Finance-Banking
Bac Ninh Province meets business needs for year-end loans
17:02 | 26/11/2024 Finance-Banking
Promoting credit for key agricultural sectors in Mekong Delta
11:11 | 25/11/2024 Finance-Banking
HDBank wins three awards at Vietnam Listed Company Awards 2024
10:53 | 21/11/2024 Finance-Banking
Strengthening cooperation on environment and climate adaptation
10:01 | 28/11/2024 Environment
Deforestation, forest land encroachment increase in Đắk Lắk Province
14:57 | 27/11/2024 Environment
Businesses support Vietnam’s net zero target
16:18 | 25/11/2024 Environment
Prolonged rainfall and landslides disrupt life in central region
15:43 | 25/11/2024 Environment
VN to embrace a new internet era: VIA
16:17 | 28/11/2024 Science - Technology
Global experts delve into earth, environmental sciences at int’l Vietnam confab
09:59 | 27/11/2024 Science - Technology
TECHFEST Vietnam 2024 crowns winners for innovation in healthcare and sustainability
17:06 | 26/11/2024 Science - Technology
MoU signed to foster Vietnam-Canada cooperation in science, technology
17:04 | 25/11/2024 Science - Technology
Vietnamese, Chinese border localities boost education cooperation
10:25 | 27/11/2024 Society
HCM City’s first metro line set to commence operations next month
09:04 | 27/11/2024 Society
Promoting green consumption
17:14 | 26/11/2024 Society
VND320-billion stopover to be built on North-South Expressway’s Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh section
17:00 | 26/11/2024 Society
Phú Xuyên a land of hundreds of timeless crafts
10:12 | 27/11/2024 Vietnamese Brands
Dong Thap diversifies lotus products
09:34 | 26/11/2024 Vietnamese Brands
Top 10 reputable pharmaceutical, medical supply companies in 2024 announced
09:17 | 26/11/2024 Vietnamese Brands
The essence of Chuon Ngo Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Village
16:42 | 25/11/2024 Vietnamese Brands
Culture week to promote Vạn Phúc traditional silk craft
16:45 | 28/11/2024 Culture
Ancient house comes to life
16:30 | 28/11/2024 Culture
Vietnamese students promote cultural heritage in Australia
10:05 | 27/11/2024 Culture
Young boy takes top prize at writing contest
09:49 | 26/11/2024 Culture
Border tourism development enhanced through Magnificent Guangxi event
16:39 | 28/11/2024 Tourism
HCM City, north-west foster tourism links
16:33 | 28/11/2024 Tourism
Việt Nam earns sixth consecutive 'World's Leading Heritage Destination' title at WTA
10:22 | 28/11/2024 Tourism
Community tourism transforms livelihoods in remote areas
09:55 | 27/11/2024 Tourism