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| Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Terminal__Photo: Duong Giang/VNA |
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked local associations and businesses to strengthen coordination in implementing key solutions to promote imports and exports as sea freight rates rise.
The ministry sent Telegram 5178/BCT-XNK on July 19 to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association, the Vietnam Shipper’s Council, the Vietnam Ship-owner’s Association and the Vietnam Ship Agents, Brokers and Maritime Services Providers Association.
In the telegram, the ministry suggested collaboration between associations and businesses to gather member businesses to jointly develop production and business and transportation plans and goods import and export plans as a basis for minimizing the impact of freight rates and surcharges in the current period of complex and unpredictable developments in the international market.
Businesses importing and exporting to Europe can consider alternative routes beside sea routes, including a combined multilateral transport route, going by sea to ports in the Middle East, and then travelling by air, rail or road to Europe.
Import-export enterprises have been asked to coordinate with customs authorities and port operators to speed up the process of handling backlogged goods at ports.
Import-export industry associations should increase dissemination about the provisions of free trade agreements to local import-export businesses to facilitate trade and enhance preferential utilization rates from these agreements.
Industry associations should also coordinate with VCCI to strengthen communication and improve the capacity of import-export SMEs in negotiating and signing foreign trade and insurance contracts to protect businesses against risks and losses when incidents occur, especially with sea cargo going through high-risk routes.
The ministry also proposed associations and import-export businesses to proactively develop prevention and response plans to minimize risks and losses from unpredictable incidents in the future.-(VLLF)
