HCM CITY — Innovative solutions to develop local and foreign markets for Vietnamese safe farm produce and foods and commercialising Việt Nam’s regional specialities based on geographical indications are among the topics to be discussed at a seminar in Hà Nội on May 10.

It will bring together many notable Vietnamese and foreign speakers including strategic planning and branding expert Trần Anh Tuấn, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Phạm Đại Dương, GI expert Bùi Kim Đồng, executive director of the Centre for Management Practice at the Singapore Management University, Philippe Zerrillo.

It will discuss case studies from ASEAN member countries for Vietnamese enterprises to apply when integrating into the world market, and share experiences in distributing Vietnamese high-quality products through the GS25 supermarket chain in South Korea.

A 90-minute business matching session between producers of high-quality goods and local specialities and 13 large retailers including Co.opmart, Big C, Vinmart, Lotte Mart, Fivimart, and UCAMart is also on the agenda.

The Vietnamese High Quality Products-Global Integration Standards (GIS) with measures to monitor the whole food supply chain will be introduced at the event.

Nguyễn Quân, a former science and technology minister and chairman of the council that compiled the GIS, said GIS would help Vietnamese firms meet global hygiene and food safety standards.

In the food sector, 66 Vietnamese firms have so far obtained GIS certification.

Many small firms want to export but do not clearly understand the quality standards they have to meet for that, according to the event organisers.

The seminar on market opportunities for Vietnamese firms in the new integration period, organised by the Vietnamese High Quality Goods Association and the Centre of Business Studies and Assistance, is expected to list must-do’s for Vietnamese firms seeking to export their products. — VNS