Attending at the US end were Mr. Nguyen Manh Quyen - Head of Commercial Branch in Houston, Texas; Vinh Nguyen - Chairman of VBI Global Association; Professor of Economics Chuck Gengler and a number of businesses in Houston, Texas.

Mr. Pham Van Hoa - Director of the Department of Industry and Trade chaired at Nghe An bridge. Attending were representatives of leaders of provincial business associations and more than 40 import-export enterprises of the province.

The United States is the province's fourth largest market.

The United States is an important export market, ranking 4th in Nghe An province (after China, Hong Kong, South Korea), with export turnover continuously growing every year. In 2023 , Nghe An - US export turnover reached 242.7 million USD, of which cement was 105.8 million USD, textiles and garments 81 million USD, shoes and sandals of all kinds reached 24.7 million USD, paving stones reached 12.6 million USD... In 2023, the province's enterprises imported from the United States 25.2 million USD including products such as: textile and garment raw materials, leather and footwear (14.4 million USD), electronic components and equipment (9.24 million USD), dairy cows...

In 2023, Nghe An companies operating in export activities such as: Minh Anh Do Luong Garment Company (exports to the US reached 34.5 million USD of garment products), An Hung Group (12 million USD, garment products), Minh Anh - Kim Lien Garment Company (9 million USD, garment products), Halotexco Garment Group, Kido Vinh Company; The Vissai Cement Company (105 million USD), Tan Thang Cement Company has established a representative office in Houston, USA.

In addition, companies producing agricultural, forestry and aquatic products such as Nafoods Company, Vilaconic, Nghe An Handicraft Joint Stock Company, Bien Quynh Company, Van Phan Fish Sauce Company and many other companies are planning and perfecting standards to bring goods to the US market...

Although the cooperation and export development between the United States and Nghe An in recent times has achieved many remarkable results, the export turnover between Nghe An province and the United States is not commensurate with the potential of each side. Many potential products of the province such as: wood products, wood products originating from Nghe An must go through many areas to be completed, processed, and exported to the United States; garment and footwear products have a large number of manufacturing enterprises (with 40 factories), many enterprises must carry out export consignment through partners in big cities...

Due to its isolated geographical location and high logistics costs (especially after the Red Sea incident, which increased the shipping time from Vietnam to the US by 10-15 days, resulting in additional costs), the competitiveness of Nghe An businesses in the US is limited.

The US is considered one of the most demanding markets in the world. Businesses have to face trade barriers, technical barriers, food safety and hygiene standards, etc., while Nghe An province has many small businesses that do not have many skills in trading with demanding markets, so it is difficult to access this market.

Partnership Opportunities in the United States

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Pham Van Hoa - Director of Nghe An Department of Industry and Trade said: In order for trade cooperation between Nghe An province and US enterprises, first of all enterprises in Houston, Texas, to develop, it is recommended to establish a regular information channel on products, enterprises of both sides, barriers and technical standards (via digital platform) to support enterprises to learn, exchange and cooperate with each other.

Suggesting the Vietnam Trade Office in Houston, business associations, and the Vietnamese community in Houston, based on the province's conditions and products (with a catalog of export products sent to the Trade Office), provide information and support for businesses in finding trade partners and import and export between the two sides. The Department of Industry and Trade also acts as a bridge for US businesses to seek cooperation opportunities in Nghe An, connecting the needs for equipment imports, technology transfer, etc.

The Director of Nghe An Department of Industry and Trade also expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Consulate and Trade Office in Houston would pay attention to information to support and promote US businesses to invest in Nghe An, especially in industries and fields such as: seaports, logistics, electronics, automobiles, high-tech agriculture, clean agriculture in line with new trends.

At the conference, Nghe An businesses expressed their opinions and suggestions for cooperation opportunities with businesses in the United States.

On the side of businesses and organizations in the United States, experts discussed plans and development strategies of businesses; experiences and situations in business activities. Thereby emphasizing that Nghe An businesses need to actively participate in trade promotion programs, connect with relevant agencies, create prestige and build trust with US customers.

Mr. Vinh Nguyen - Chairman of VBI Global Association, who has experience in consulting on exporting and distributing products to the US market, shared: Nghe An businesses need to identify distributor partners; invest and adjust marketing strategies to suit consumer preferences in the US, including online advertising and social media, to increase product awareness. Along with that, use e-commerce to reach a wider customer base; optimize online presence with a user-friendly website, online advertising and e-commerce capabilities; support and customer service, quickly handle any product-related issues.

At the conference, specific issues of Nghe An enterprises were also answered and information shared by the Head of the Trade Branch in Houston, Texas and experts.

Mr. Nguyen Manh Quyen - Head of the Trade Branch in Houston, Texas emphasized: In addition to the issue of product quality, Nghe An enterprises need to pay close attention to 3 contents when approaching and working with US partners, which are to carefully prepare and clearly inform the catalog, sample products and contracts, and payment terms.