Export of goods sets a new growth target
According to Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade, import-export activities in 2025 still face many risks and are difficult to predict. Specifically, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is expected to only cut interest rates twice in 2025, after having lowered interest rates by a total of 1 percentage point since September. The crisis in the Middle East has affected freight transport in the world and in Vietnam.
In addition, the trend of trade protectionism is appearing more and more, many countries have measures to bring investment back to their home countries, creating trade barriers. Developed markets such as the EU focus on sustainable development, and have been introducing many new regulations such as the Carbon Adjustment Mechanism, the European Anti-Deforestation Regulation, etc., which have an impact on some of our country's key export products. Fluctuations in trade policies of major countries when the United States enters a new presidential term are a strong and unpredictable factor.
However, considering the advantages, Dr. Le Huy Khoi - Deputy Director of the Institute for Strategy and Policy Research on Industry and Trade - Ministry of Industry and Trade analyzed that fundamental export products such as agricultural, forestry and fishery products have improved very positively in recent times (in 2024, the agricultural sector exported nearly 62.5 billion USD). Certainly, in 2025 and the coming years, export of this group of products will be even better.
In addition, participation and contribution of Vietnamese enterprises in the chain of other export products (manufacturing and processing) has also grown significantly, Vietnam's diplomatic relations with partners are very good, we have participated in deep economic integration, signed 17 multilateral and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) with major partners.
Dr. Le Quoc Phuong - former Deputy Director of Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Center - Ministry of Industry and Trade further analyzed that, in terms of world trends, it is forecasted that in 2025, the demand of the world market will continue to be more positive. The demand for goods will continue to increase, creating conditions for Vietnamese export goods to be exported strongly to markets.
At the same time, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has been doing a good job of opening up the market, supporting businesses to effectively take advantage of incentives from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Early warning of trade defense measures is increasingly being implemented more effectively, helping Vietnamese goods avoid risks in the process of exporting goods abroad.
However, challenges for import and export activities also come when trade defense barriers and green standards of markets are gradually being built. In the context of many unpredictable factors, favorable and challenging factors intertwined affecting import and export activities, the Ministry of Industry and Trade still shows determination and high efforts, setting a challenging target of export growth in 2025 reaching about 12% compared to 2024. This can be said to be a very challenging number, because it is more than double the target of previous years. This means that on average, exports must increase by 4 billion USD/month compared to the average monthly level in 2024.
Diversify export promotion solutions
To achieve this goal, Import-Export Department believes that it is necessary to have synchronous implementation of ministries, branches, localities and participation of import-export business community, focusing on the following solutions: First, support businesses to take advantage of commitments in FTAs to boost exports, through propaganda on rules of origin and issuance of Certificates of Origin, opportunities and ways to take advantage of opportunities from the Agreements...
Second, strengthen activities to provide market information on digital platforms for localities, industry associations, and businesses;
Third, support the development and implementation of concentrated, large-scale, regionally linked trade promotion activities for products and industries with strengths of the region in target markets;
Fourth, continue to promote rapid and strong transition to official trade. Fifth, promote negotiations and signing of new trade agreements, commitments and linkages; coordinate with Ministry of Agriculture to negotiate to open more types of fruit for official export.
Sixth, implement Strategies and Action Programs on import and export of goods, develop logistics services, and develop rice export markets.
Seventh, support businesses to overcome new trade barriers in import markets.
Import-Export Department also recommends that the Government, Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade resolutely implement solutions such as urging the EU to soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports. At the same time, develop policies and frameworks to facilitate Vietnamese businesses to penetrate the halal food market, new markets from the Middle East, Africa, etc.
In addition, promote development of supporting industries in a substantial manner, thereby increasing the value-added content of export products. Take measures to support coffee, rubber and forest growers to prepare to build information systems and databases to implement accountability according to EU requirements.
In addition, Import-Export Department recommended that the Government direct the State Bank of Vietnam to continue to maintain low lending interest rates, creating favorable conditions for production and business; at the same time, not allowing exchange rate to increase rapidly, causing difficulties for import of raw materials and semi-finished products for production and export of enterprises.
On the experts' side, Dr. Le Quoc Phuong emphasized that Ministry of Industry and Trade needs to continue to maintain early warnings of trade defense measures from import markets. At the same time, coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to do a good job of preventing foreign goods from being illegally transported into Vietnam to fraudulently originate goods in order to take advantage of tax reductions from FTAs. Continue to implement solutions towards green and sustainable exports...
"Trade agencies also need to continue to increase the provision of market information so that exporting enterprises have official and accurate sources of information" - Dr. Le Quoc Phuong said.
On the business side, it is necessary to continue to improve the competitiveness of products and goods, meet the requirements of green standards and sustainable development from markets...

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn