INDUSTRY AND TRADE SECTOR PROMOTING GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY

Not only obtaining high growth and impressive trade surplus and asserting its leading position in economic development, the industry and trade sector of Hai Phong City has also made breakthroughs with solutions on digital transformation, green transformation and circular economy in recent years, thus gradually helping concretize the city’s comprehensive development goals based on a green and sustainable economy.

Comprehensive breakthrough

In 2024, the Department of Industry and Trade firmly, synchronously and flexibly carried out solutions and completed, even exceeded, its assigned targets and tasks.

Hai Phong’s seaport and logistics sectors are striving for green transformation and emission reduction

Industry rebounded strongly, rising by 15.43% in 2024, led by the processing and manufacturing sector which advanced 16%. This created a great driving force to boost macroeconomic growth. Hai Phong City established five industrial complexes (ICs), bringing total ICs to 18, covering 742.5 ha of land. Thirteen sets of products made by local enterprises are certified as typical rural industrial products in the northern region.

Total retail revenue of goods and services reached VND225,784 billion (US$10 billion), up 13.6% from 2023. Exports rose 19.7% year on year to US$36.4 billion. Trade surplus recorded the 5th consecutive year of high growth (over US$8 billion). Export promotions were strongly innovated. Electricity supply was safe and stable. All administrative procedures were resolved on time.

In 2025, the industry and trade sector will further speed up administrative reform and remove difficulties for businesses; focus on investing in building electricity infrastructure to ensure stable supply for high-tech projects and developing renewable energy; and advise on accelerating the construction of ICs, providing available clean land and attracting secondary investors.

In addition, the sector will restructure industry and prioritize the development of key sectors such as mechanical engineering, electronics, renewable energy and supporting industries; develop e-commerce, apply information technology and digital transformation in trade promotion; accelerate international integration, connect supply and demand sides; and build and implement the project designed to turn the city into a modern international logistics center.

Currently, the Department of Industry and Trade is providing 132 online administrative procedures on the city's Public Service Portal, including 111 full online procedures and 21 partial online procedures. The department is electronically receiving and processing all promotion program announcement records connected to the National Public Service Portal, all procedures of granting Certificates of Origin Form D (Level 4), all procedures of granting certificates of other forms (Level 3) on the Ecosys electronic certificate management and issuance system (www.ecosys.gov.vn), which is operated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade according to the National Single Window (NSW) mechanism and the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) mechanism.

The department advised the Hai Phong People's Committee to launch five digital transformation tasks: Carrying out the project on construction, management and operation of the city's industrial complex database since January 2020 at www.cumcongnghiephaiphong.vn; completing the construction of the “Online platform for intersectoral logistics” project; and implementing the “Digitizing and creating Hai Phong logistics database” project and “Intersectoral digital transformation in logistics management” project (phase 1).

E-commerce development promotion events are organized in many forms to reach many businesses and households. According to the report by the Vietnam E-Commerce Association (VECOM), the E-Commerce Index of Hai Phong City scored 36.2 points in 2024, ranking 5th in the country.

In 2025, the department will further scale up information technology application and develop e-government; strongly review and systematize legal documents, promptly propose abolishing expired documents or amending inappropriate documents; and inform, encourage and guide individuals and organizations to use fully and partially online public services.

At the same time, the department will advise the Hai Phong People's Committee to issue mechanisms and policies to create an enabling environment for e-commerce development; encourage non cash payments; stimulate businesses to invest in software technology development, participate in e-commerce platforms to boost brands and products; and boost trade promotion, focus on applying online forms and export via digital platforms.

Fostering green transformation and circular economy

Hai Phong defines green growth and the circular economy as essential. In recent years, local industrial manufacturers and logistics service providers have actively adopted green production models, invested in modern technology, economized energy, reduced emissions and moved towards a circular economy.

Joining companies on this journey, the Department of Industry and Trade has advised the Hai Phong People's Committee to issue decisions, programs and plans on business support. In 2024, the agency sent recommendations on 26 newly registered and expanded investment projects in line with the city's general approach and planning (for garment, chemical, wooden furniture, footwear, agricultural product, electronics and other sectors); advised the committee to facilitate investors to survey and research offshore wind power and waste-to-energy projects. Four units/consortia proposed studying potential for developing wind power projects in Hai Phong coastal areas.

The department gave opinions on the implementation of a waste-to-energy investment project in Dinh Vu, and encouraged and instructed investors to use more renewable energy, use modern technology to protect the environment, improve energy autonomy and promote sustainable development of the city.

To further raise the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI), the District and Department Competitiveness Index (DDCI) and business satisfaction, the Department of Industry and Trade issued Plan 2642/KH-SCT dated October 11, 2022 to on PCI improvement in 2024-2025, Plan 162/KH-SCT dated January 13, 2025 on administrative reform, and Plan 462/KH-SCT dated February 7, 2025 on the 2025 Industrial and Trade Business Dialogue Conference. The department directed professional units to inform its employees to carry out these plans.

In 2025, the department will further advance administrative reform; maintain regular meetings and dialogues with businesses; strengthen the official discipline of civil servants in performing public duties; review and simplify administrative procedures; and actively support businesses in developing brands, connecting and expanding markets.

Source: VCCI