HCM City (VNA) –There is still a lot of room for Vietnamese goods to expand their presence inthe European Union (EU) market, but accessing its retail distribution systems isextremely important, heard a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on August 11.

Speaking at the event, heldto support domestic enterprises to connect with EU’s distribution systems, NguyenThao Hien, deputy head of the European-American Market Department under theMinistry of Industry and Trade, said the year 2022 is favourable for export andtrade promotion activities with the EU partners, as both sides arerecovering from the COVID-19 pandemic with great support from the EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA).

Two years since the agreement took effect, the EVFTA does not only promotebilateral trade but also provides an advantage for the business communities ofboth sides in the context of fluctuating markets and the impact of the pandemic, as well as regional and global geopolitical uncertainties.

According to Hien, the ability of businesses to take advantage of incentivesfrom the agreement is also gradually improving after two years.

Statistics from the MoIT showed that the rate of enterprises using preferentialcertificates of origin under the EVFTA agreement reached 20.7% in the secondyear compared with 14.8% in the first year.

However, it should be noted that many Vietnamese products still face various difficulties in accessing the EU market because they have not fully met itsrequirements in terms of technical standards, traceability, environmental andsustainable development issues, she said. 

Trade promotion activities have not been carried out concertedly fromproduction, marketing and market penetration, Hien said.

Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, Trade Counsel of Vietnam in Sweden, said room remains forVietnam’s exports to the EU, especially Northern Europe, as the population there, small as it is, is among the group withthe highest average income in the world with an annual import demand of about400 billion USD.

Vu Anh Son, in charge of the trade office in France, said bringinggoods into foreign distribution channels requires businesses to have along-term orientation and production plan, adding that in addition to complyingwith regulations and standards of the market, they must also meet theindividual requirements of each distributor.

Khiem Nhat Thanh, General Director of T&T Food, an importer fordistribution systems in France, said businesses wishing to conquer the EU marketshould have specific and long-term marketing plans and strategies along with securingqualified products./.