Over the past two years, a wide array of trade activities have been implemented by the Da Nang Center for Industry and Trade Promotion in both online and face-to-face forms.

Da Nang is rapidly restoring face-to-face trade promotion activities to increase connection efficiency. Product introduction activities are seen at a conference connecting trade between Da Nang and Quang Tri Province on March 25. Photo: QUYNH TRANG

In 2022, with the high vaccination rate against COVID-19, together with localities across the country, Da Nang is quickly restoring in-person trade promotion activities so as to increase connection efficiency and help businesses quickly recover after the pandemic.

Mr. Huynh Van Muoi, the Director of Kim Thanh Production, Trade and General Services Cooperative based in Thanh Khe District, said that the company’s signature products such as rimmed abalone, salted mushrooms, mushroom jam, fish sauce made from mushrooms, steamed straw mushrooms, powdered Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma lucidum wine are produced according to VietGAP process certified by the Da Nang Department of Health in conformity with food safety production standards and trademark as certified by the National Office of Intellectual Property.

However, the above-mentioned product have yet to be much known by many consumers, although they were publicised via many online trade connection programmes. In fact, many distributor and consumers like buying food that must be seen by their naked eyes. Also, they themselves usually try food before they decide whether or not to make any purchase.

“We have participated in a number of trade connection programmes with neighbouring localities organised by Da Nang over the past time, and after each event, our customer base is expanded. In the coming time, we want to join many trade connection conferences to meet potential customers and create good relationships with distributors”, said Mr. Muoi.

As a food supplier for industrial kitchens, Ms. Dinh Thi Thanh, a trader operating at the Hoa Cuong wholesale market said that the direct trade connection will help ensure a more effective bargaining and negotiation process between the seller and the buyer.

In reality, online trade promotion is cost-saving, but for food products, this method is not very effective as customers need to experience it in-person.

As assessed by Ms. Vo Thi Yen Xuan, the Head of the Purchasing Department of Go! Supermarket, although online trade promotion brings certain effects, it is still mainly introductory.

At direct trade connection conferences, the scope of finding partners and distributors is wider, and manufacturers have a greater opportunity to approach and answer questions raised by potential distributors.

For example, Go! Supermarkets are looking for organic products for sale here. " I need to see and try the product firsthand before I can trust and sign the contract later with the producer" said Ms. Vo Thi Yen Xuan.

Similarly, according to Ms. Phan Nhu Yen, Director of the Danavi marts, said that, participating in supply and demand connection conferences is an opportunity for manufacturers and distributors to "find" each other.

"We are always ready to participate in trade connection conferences to find sources of good-quality goods that have been patronised by the industry and trade industries of other provinces and cities nationwide" said Ms. Yen.

According to Mr. Nguyen Huu Binh, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Centre for Industrial and Trade Promotion, COVID-19 has greatly affected businesses, especially trade promotion activities. While online promotion is effective, it is still largely introductory.

Therefore, since the pandemic situation was well controlled, the Centre has mapped out plans to restore direct trade connection activities, support businesses to bring their products to other cities and provinces for introduction and sales.

Over recent times, Da Nang has hosted events connecting bilateral trade with such provinces as Quang Tri, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and Dak Lak.

In order to deepen the trade connection, at conferences, participating units not only publicised their products but also inked cooperation agreements with agents and distributors participating in the event.

For instance, at the recent Da Nang - Quang Tri trade connection conference, nearly 20 memorandums of understanding on cooperation were successfully signed.

Ms. Hoang Thi Ngat, the owner of Co Ngat Natural Herbal Tea establishment based in Dak Lak Province said, “Da Nang is a large market with plenty of room for cooperation and development; so, through trade promotion activities between Da Nang and the Central Highlands provinces, our products would get known by many consumers in this central city.

Reporting by QUYNH TRANG – Translating by A.THU