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| The Local Corner Space contributing to promoting local products |
Connecting to support businesses
Bringing Hue enterprises' goods into supermarkets as well as participating in the supply chain to help businesses leverage partner networks, increase sales, and optimize production processes are the key objectives that the Center has been pursuing recently. Notably, supporting local businesses in getting their products into the Aeon Mall, Go Supermarket, and Co.opmart systems has been an outstanding achievement.
By closely following, accompanying, and connecting to support businesses, the Center has held multiple direct discussions with the General Manager of Aeon Mall Hue regarding solutions to assist local businesses in operating within Aeon Mall Hue. Both sides have agreed to implement the concept of creating a local cultural space with various supportive policies for businesses to promote and showcase their products. As stated by Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thao, Director of the Center, “The Local Corner Space is the result of a collaborative process between the Province and the investor, aimed at realizing a cultural intersection space to promote local specialties and products to visitors coming to Hue for sightseeing and experiences.”
Currently, this space features the participation of seven local businesses showcasing and promoting their products, including embroidered and sewn products by Doan Trang, Hue specialty jams and spices by Huefarm, and products made from Bo Chinh ginseng by SBC Hoang Gia, etc.
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| Products showcased in trade promotion activities |
Ms. Ho Nhat Phuong, Director of SBC Hoang Gia Co., Ltd., stated that participating in the Local Corner Space at Aeon Mall was one of the company's major achievements in 2024. This initiative has not only provided an opportunity for the company to promote and solidify its brand and demonstrate the quality of its credentials but also enabled local businesses to reach a broader customer base and explore potential investment partners.
Beyond facilitating the display of products at Aeon Mall Hue, the Center's efforts have also resulted in seven Hue businesses successfully bringing their products into Aeon Mall Hue’s supermarket. Additionally, within the framework of trade promotion activities, particularly the supply-demand connection conference between Thua Thien Hue and other provinces in 2024, held in September, the Center facilitated 40 businesses to sign cooperation agreements. These agreements enabled products to enter major supply chains, such as Go Supermarket, Co.opmart, Auminimart convenience stores, Kinh Do Specialty Co., and the Quang Dien OCOP product introduction center. To date, nine contracts have been officially signed, integrating Hue businesses' products into stores and distribution agents. Moreover, through connecting Kinh Do Specialty Co. with Thai partners, the Center has also contributed to promoting several Hue specialty products in the Thai market.
Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hue, the representative of Kinh Do Specialty Co., stated that the lack of capital and trade promotion expertise remained inherent weaknesses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As a result, SMEs often struggle to integrate into major supply chains or even expand their market presence, despite meeting quality standards. Therefore, such businesses are in need of policies in SMEs' favor, especially those focusing on enhancing trade promotion skills, market connectivity, access to machinery and solutions for optimizing production processes.
Innovation for effective support
Recent trade promotion activities by the Center reveal that business support has extended beyond traditional connections at forums and conferences. It has evolved into deeper engagement, tailored to address the actual needs and challenges of enterprises. Trade promotion activities now encompass diverse approaches, including in-person, online, and hybrid methods. These initiatives have significantly helped businesses expand beyond provincial boundaries and move toward export opportunities. Consequently, enterprises can easily access market information, understand consumer preferences in other countries, and proactively register for trade promotion activities in both online and offline formats.
Training programs which aimed at improving e-commerce sales skills and equipping businesses with essential knowledge and expertise are gradually turning these goals into reality. Notably, the recent training program titled "Solutions to Enhance Customer Experience on E-commerce Platforms" organized by the Center, has received high praise from the business community.
Mr. Vo Ca Dao, Deputy General Director of OBC Vietnam, highlighted that the program provided concrete solutions and valuable tools to enhance brand name and product recognition on e-commerce platforms. These efforts allow businesses to increase interaction, reach potential customers, and gain deeper insights into customer care strategies and post-sales approaches, all aimed at building brand name reputation and trust.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Thao, Director of the Center, emphasized that with a genuine spirit of supporting local businesses, especially when Hue transitioned to a centrally-governed municipality, the Center would develop a new trade promotion program with a focused and targeted approach. Priority will be given to assisting exemplary rural industrial enterprises, OCOP businesses, SMEs, startups, and innovative enterprises, as well as supporting the province's key products in expanding their market presence. In addition to trade promotion, the Center is committed to working closely with local businesses to upgrade and standardize products through industrial promotion projects and by mobilizing resources to enhance product quality and design in line with market demands.
The Center is also conducting surveys to gather feedback and assessments from local businesses about trade promotion programs. It is learning from other localities with successful trade promotion initiatives and strengthening relationships with investment and trade promotion centers in other provinces and cities to find the "key" to expanding markets for Hue’s business community.