Gov't deal to boost use of local products

by Manh Ha

Coal mining at Cao Son Mine run by the Viet Nam Coal and Mineral Industries Group in coastal Quang Ninh Province. The group and other major State-owned corporations have agreed to boost use of each other's products in a bid to promote sales of Vietnamese goods. — VNA/VNS Photo Trong Dai

HA NOI (VNS)— More than ten large groups belonging to the Ministry of Industry and Trade signed a voluntary co-operation agreement on Tuesday stating they would use each others' products. By doing so, they hoped to boost consumption of Vietnamese goods and help each other solve business difficulties.

The groups include Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group, Viet Nam Coal and Mineral Industries Group, Viet Nam Garment and Textiles Group, Viet Nam Paper Corporation and Viet Nam Industrial Construction Corporation.

Minister Vu Huy Hoang said the strategy would contribute to the national campaign "Vietnamese people using Vietnamese goods" which was launched in 2010. Enterprises throughout the country will also be asked to co-operate with one another in the near future.

Chairman of Electricity of Viet Nam Hoang Quoc Vuong said this action was essential for the country's development. "EVN will take the agreement very seriously and work with other State-owned enterprises to overcome difficulties," he said.

At present, EVN needs coal, fuel, power and electric facilities and looks to sell power, transformers and electric cables.

General Director of Viet Nam Textiles and Garment Corporation Tran Quang Nghi said his company had recently made great improvements in product quality and design, and had also succeeded in using more local materials.

Two months ago, the ministry instructed enterprises nationwide to consume more domestic goods in order to solve difficulties in production and business. The ministry's enterprises would take the lead in this initiative.

The ministry has also told its branches in major cities and provinces to determine whether the enterprises could meet local demand.

The volume of inventory items remained high in comparison with the same period last year, according to the ministry. There are about 8.9 million tonnes of coal in stock, while the inventory rate of iron, steel and cast iron increased by between 30 and 45 per cent and the rate of other items such as fertiliser, plastic products, and cars and motorbikes went up by 20 per cent.

Director of the ministry's Domestic Market Department Vo Van Quyen said the enterprises' potential to consume domestic products was very high. For example, Viet Nam Chemical Corporation wants to buy coal, various papers, labour uniforms and sell auto and motorbike tyres and tubes, pullers, chemicals, welding rods and fertiliser. Meanwhile Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corporation requires coal, various papers and plastic packing.

Although the country still faces a shortage of materials and advanced technologies, if each enterprise increases its production capacity, domestic materials may meet demand. — VNS