Promote Vietnamese products in Italy

This is one of the opening activities of a series of trade promotion programs held in Italy and France from May 28^th June 5^th 2016 by the Ministry of Industry and Trade under the 2016National Trade Promotion Program. This event is also a content of the Scheme on “Encouraging Vietnamese businesses to directly involve in overseas distribution networks to 2020" which was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1513 / QD-TTg on March 9^th 2015. 20 Vietnamese companies operating in various fields participated to introduce, promote Vietnamese goods in supermarkets in Italy.

Participating in the workshop, there were Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Cao Chinh Thien, Director of the European market Department Dang Hoang Hai, Commercial Counsellor Bui Vuong Anh and leaders of Vietnamese companies in Vietnamese side.

Italian side was attended by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of international relations, Mr Della Vedova Benedetto; General Director of the Ministry of Economic Development Amedeo Tetti; Leader of Romgna Emilia Chamber of Commerce; LegaCoop President; leader of the Coop, Conad and a great number of Italian companies.

At the seminar, Deputy Minister Ho Thi Kim Thoa said this was the first time Vietnam organized a large-scale program to promote Vietnamese products; meet and contact with the two Italian largest distribution networks of Coop Italia and Conad. She believed that, through the event Vietnam products would be available in Italian supermarkets under the brand name "Made in Viet Nam".

The purpose of the event is to promote the export of Vietnamese products directly into the distribution system of Italy; to meet, exchange information, business cooperation opportunities with large distributors in Italy (Coop Italia and Conad); promote "Made in Viet Nam" products  in the Italian market in particular and Europe in general.

Besides organizing workshops for Vietnamese and Italian companies to seek opportunities for cooperation, Vietnam delegation also showcased some agricultural products; beverage; candy; crafts, photovoltaic products ... to introduce, promote Vietnam exports to Italian organizations and companies. Moreover, the delegation also organized two B2B forums between Vietnamese exporters and purchasing directors of two Italian biggest distribution systems, Coop Italia and Conad Italia at their headquarters. The products were demanded by these 2 Italian large retailers were food, processed seafood, textiles, footwear, etc.

Coop Italia and Conad are food retail chains with supermarkets and leading commercial centers of Italy, their market shares are 20% and 12% respectively. Their retail revenue is approximately EUR 25 billion, accounting for 1/3 of the retail market share in the Italian market.

On the same day, Chairman of Emilia-Romagna region Stefano Bonaccini had a meeting with Deputy Minister Ho Thi Kim Thoa at its headquarter. The two sides highly appreciated the cooperation relations between Vietnam and Italy in general and Vietnam and the Emilia-Romagna region in particular. The two sides pledged to create favorable conditions for businesses from both countries to develop deeper and more powerful business the opportunities. Deputy Minister Ho Thi Kim Thoa formally invited leaders of Emilia Romagna to establish working groups to participate in the third Session of the Vietnam - Italia Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation and a business delegation to attend the Vietnam International Food Industry Exhibition 2016 (Vietnam Foodexpo 2016) from November 16^th - 19^th 2016 in Ho Chi Minh City. Italy is the Country of Honor at the Exhibition this year.

According to Deputy Minister Ho Thi Kim Thoa, Vietnamese export achievements had large contributions of trade promotion activities through distribution channels abroad. Through “Week for Vietnamese Products” programs, Vietnamese products had been quick accessed to the world's consumers. This program was held in Italy right after the Vietnam - EU free trade agreements (EVFTA) recently signed. It is expected to help boost Vietnamese exports to this potential market.

Italian market has huge demand for Vietnam products like textiles, fisheries, coffee... However, the total two-way trade turnover of about USD 4.3 billion dollars per year is still moderate. Therefore, the events that Vietnamese businesses directly went to market their products in Italy, met with mass retailers through business match-making programs are expected to become important activities to help Vietnamese products to be better present on the Italian market.