In response to the new demands of the international integration process, the implementation of Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation has created an important foundation for Phu Tho province to innovate its thinking on developing foreign economic relations, using integration as a driving force to promote economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and expand export markets. With a sustainable development orientation, the province is focusing on effectively exploiting its advantages, supporting businesses to participate more deeply in global value chains, and gradually bringing Phu Tho's goods further into the international market.

The frozen mangoes are processed and packaged by Tien Ngan Investment and Trading Co., Ltd. according to export standards for the South Korean market.

Actively integrate and effectively exploit international markets.

Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation has opened up important directions to enhance the effectiveness of integration, promote domestic strengths, and maximize the utilization of external resources to serve national development. The resolution is not only an important political basis but also creates momentum for localities to innovate their thinking on developing foreign economic relations, viewing exports as an important part of the economic development and international integration strategy.

Following the administrative unit merger, the province's development space has expanded, creating favorable conditions for regional linkages and the synchronized development of industry, agriculture , services, and logistics. This presents an opportunity for Phu Tho to restructure its export activities, focusing on industries with competitive advantages, developed markets, and businesses capable of participating more deeply in regional and global supply chains.

According to the province's orientation, exports will not develop in a scattered manner but will focus on key sectors such as processing and manufacturing industries, electronic components, garments, wood products, tea, and processed agricultural products. These are sectors with advantages in raw materials, labor, and production experience, and have gradually established their position in many international markets.

In recent years, many products from the province have entered demanding markets such as the European Union (EU), the United States, Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East. Participation in new-generation free trade agreements such as EVFTA, CPTPP, UKVFTA, and RCEP has opened up great opportunities for businesses to access markets with preferential tariffs, contributing to increased competitiveness and expanded export scale.

In the first five months of the year, 31 establishments in the province participated in agricultural exports, with a total output of nearly 25,000 tons of products, achieving an export value of approximately US$25.48 million. Tea was the main export item, with nearly 11,000 tons exported to markets in the Middle East, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Many other products such as processed bamboo shoots, pickled vegetables, crab stick cakes, seasoned beans, oranges, pomelos, star anise, cinnamon, honey, coffee, fresh chili peppers, processed seafood, and ready-to-eat foods also reached many major markets worldwide .

A prime example is Tien Ngan Investment and Trading Co., Ltd. (Hoa Binh ward), which recently successfully exported the province's first shipment of frozen sugarcane to the South Korean market. According to the agreement signed with Tomas Company of South Korea, the company proactively collaborated with local raw material sources from the beginning of the year to ensure a supply for export. The first shipment consisted of 24 tons of frozen sugarcane. After processing and packaging at the company's facility, the product was transported to a transit warehouse in Hanoi before being exported to South Korea.

According to Ms. Le Thi Nham, Deputy Director of Tien Ngan Investment and Trading Company Limited, the successful export of the first shipment is a positive sign, opening up opportunities for stable consumption for sugarcane growers and affirming the development potential of local agricultural products in the international market.

Enhancing competitiveness and aiming for sustainable exports.

To support businesses in expanding their export markets, the province has implemented many comprehensive solutions in recent times. Trade promotion activities have been reformed towards a more professional and modern approach, combining direct and online methods. Many businesses have received support to participate in domestic and international trade fairs and exhibitions; connect with international partners; access e-commerce platforms; and apply digital transformation in their production and business operations.

In addition, the province places special emphasis on promoting the role of economic diplomacy, strengthening coordination with the system of Vietnamese trade offices abroad, industry associations, international trade promotion organizations, and multinational corporations to support businesses in finding partners, expanding markets, and participating more deeply in global supply chains.

Along with market expansion, improving product quality has been identified as a key factor. The province focuses on supporting businesses in applying advanced quality management systems; building standardized raw material areas; implementing traceability; registering trademarks, geographical indications, and international quality certifications. At the same time, it encourages businesses to innovate technology, save energy, develop green production, and embrace the circular economy to meet the increasingly high demands of importing markets.

However, the province's export activities still face many difficulties and challenges. In the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors, production scale remains small and fragmented; value chain linkages are not strong; and the development of concentrated raw material areas, the issuance of planting area codes, and traceability are limited. The capacity for deep processing and post-harvest preservation does not meet requirements, resulting in many products still being mainly exported in raw form with low added value.

Furthermore, the logistics system is not yet fully developed, and transportation costs are high due to the long distances between major seaports and international border crossings. The complex developments in the world situation, especially the conflicts in the Middle East, have led to a sharp increase in fuel prices, resulting in higher logistics costs and directly impacting export efficiency.

According to Mr. Le Hong Phuong, Deputy Head of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, the agricultural sector is focusing on supporting businesses in building standardized raw material areas, expanding planting area codes, improving product quality, and promoting trade to increase the capacity for official exports.

In the coming period, the province will continue to maintain and expand traditional markets such as the United States, the EU, Japan, South Korea, China, and the Middle East; while effectively exploiting potential markets in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Alongside this, it will promote administrative reform, improve the investment and business environment, attract high-tech industrial projects, supporting industries, and deep processing; develop logistics systems and commercial infrastructure; improve the quality of human resources; and support businesses in technological innovation and brand building.

With synchronized solutions and a determination to effectively implement Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW, Phu Tho is gradually asserting its position in the process of international integration, expanding export markets in a sustainable direction, enhancing the competitiveness of the local economy, and creating an important driving force for growth in the new period.

Source: Vietnam.vn