(VOVWORLD) - Businesses earned 196 million USD annually from selling their products on demand-supply connectivity program between Ho Chi Minh City and other localities, according to HCM City’s Department of Industry and Trade. The figure dropped this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To rebound sales, the Department has helped farmers list their products on e-commerce platforms, which have become increasingly favored by farmers themselves.
According to Lam Thi Thanh, the owner of Ut Yen rice paper factory in Tay Ninh province, her signature products, dew-wetted rice papers and chili shrimp salt, used to be circulated only locally. Since she participated in the demand-supply connectivity program four years ago, her products have ventured out to other southern localities. Her sales have doubled. Thanh says she is ready to go online.
“Previously, I didn’t know anything about this demand-supply program. I only sold my product in Tay Ninh province only. My business has prospered since I joined the program and listed my products on the Department’s e-commerce site. I have reached out to more consumers,” said Thanh.
With the help of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Industry and Trade, Bao Long dragon fruit liquor of Binh Thuan province has weathered the COVID-19 storm by selling on Shoppe and Lazada. Orders are placed in heaps. Nguyen Ngoc Bao, who owns the liquor workshop, suggested farmers and small brands like his should be trained in technology to trade on e-commerce platforms.
“Farmers are not tech-savvy though they are just three mouse clicks away from uploading products’ images and information to e-commerce platforms. They need to learn how to quickly direct online orders to their emails,” said Bao.
 Bao Long dragon fruit liquor is sold on Shoppee and Lazada. (Photo: Le Hang/VOV) |
E-commerce platforms have offered support to small businesses, factories, and farmers’ cooperatives. Tran Tuan Anh, Chief Executive Officer of Shoppee Vietnam, said, “Shoppee Vietnam is launching Shoppee Farm, a program that connects us with Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Industry and Trade to help farmers get more online consumers. We are giving them an insight into this online tool and online trading.”
Local authorities are joining this effort, too. Nguyen Ngoc Dung, Vice Director of the Kien Giang provincial Center for Industrial Promotion and Industrial Development Consultant, told VOV, “The local Department of Industry and Trade is in charge of putting all products’ images and information onto our website kigi.com.vn after receiving them from their producers. Buyers can connect with their desired partners whose contact details are available on this website.”
 This fair is part of the demand-supply connectivity program between Ho Chi Minh City and other localities in 2021. (Photo: Le Hang/VOV) |
According to Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Industry and Trade, its website www.ketnoicungcau.vn allows businesses to seek partners and exhibit their products using virtual reality technology. The Department is also working with Tiki, Sendo, Shoppee, and Lazada to expand the distribution network for small businesses to catch up with new shopping trends.