Around 100 representatives from companies and suppliers as well as businesses and experts nationwide participat at "Energy-Efficiency Programme for Supply Chains" workshop. — VNS File Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Some 100 representatives from companies and suppliers as well as businesses and experts nationwide on June 9 took part in a workshop on "Energy-Efficiency Programme for Supply Chains" in HCM City.

Jointly organised by Metro Cash & Carry Viet Nam and GIZ's Project Development Programme (PDP), the workshop aimed to help companies reduce their energy costs and to discuss topics related to productivity, production costs and environmental impact caused by medium- and large-sized manufacturers.

"With stricter national requirements on energy consumption and higher electricity costs, manufacturers should evaluate their energy management systems to maintain competitiveness and sustainable development," said Erik Heens, operations director of Metro Cash & Carry Viet Nam at the workshop.

"Effective energy and resource management is one of the sustainability goals that we have been pursuing," he said. "We would like to share our experience in energy efficiency management and support enterprises in our supply chain so they can operate more efficiently."

Speakers at the workshop emphasised that only companies that develop in a sustainable way will survive in the future.

He said that Vietnamese companies should invest in upgrading their energy management systems to improve competiveness and cut production costs as well as CO2 emissions.

At the workshop, GIZ energy experts updated the latest legal framework and discussed examples of energy management system development and adoption in the country.

Tobias Cossen, GIZ/PDP project manager, said the enterprises in Metro's supply chain were of medium and large sizes.

If these companies have adequate knowledge of energy management and can make use of advanced technologies, the economic and environmental impact will be very positive.

To help businesses better understand energy efficiency in production, GIZ experts conducted free energy audits for several suppliers before the workshop.

Following the energy audits, the experts gave advice about optimal alternatives for energy consumption.

"We have collaborated with Metro Cash & Carry Viet Nam to support Vietnamese enterprises not only to have better awareness of energy efficiency but also to tap the potential for energy efficiency by establishing an energy-efficiency network," he said. — VNS