Agro-forestry-aquaculture exports in the first two months of this year dropped 1.6 percent over the same period last year, touching US$5.5 billion. Of which, although export of seafood and forestry products still posted moderate growth, key farm produce, including rice, coffee, rubber and black pepper fell 10.1 percent, dragging down the general indicator.
Forecast by the office said that export of rice will continue to face difficulties as major markets such as the Philippines and Indonesia have not had plan to import rice this year. Therefore, local rice exporters need to focus on searching for opportunities to export rice to China and some other markets in Africa.
In March, export of shrimps and pangasius fish will receive preferential tax treatment from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership so seafood exporters should make use of these advantages. Relevant departments and ministries should constantly update information for local exporters.
The conference on Vietnam’s economy amid the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution was held by the Central Institute for Economic Management on March 1. At the conference, Dr. Nguyen Dinh Cung, director of the institute, emphasized that depending on each scenario the country possibly takes advantage of the fourth industrial revolution to increase gross domestic product by 7-16 percent by 2030, or equivalent $28.5 billion - $62.1 billion.
Although some jobs will be lost, there will be a net increase of 1.3 million - 3.1 million jobs created during the process of production growing.
Added value of traditional industries is expected to be optimistic with industrial manufacturing and processing increasing from $7 billion to $14 billion, traditional agriculture surging $4.9 billion and finance edging up $3.5 billion.
On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority held a dialogue on solutions to support the development of businesses in 2019. Many firms have complained about poor waste treatment facilities at export processing zones and industrial parks, flooding, traffic congestion, a shortage of skilled and highly-skilled labor source and issues on land use right certificate granting. In addition, infrastructure which aims to help to improve the quality of workers’ life remained improperly invested. These aforesaid issues have greatly affected production activities.
Last year, total investment capital reached $772.31 million, down 8.07 percent compared to the previous year. Of which, decrease was mainly seen in foreign investment which reached $290.83 million, down 25.78 percent.
