HCM City to host first int'l port exhibition

The logistics sector has achieved 12-14 per cent growth in recent years and that momentum would continue, according to the Viet Nam Logistics Business Association (VLA).

Speaking at a press briefing in HCM City on Thursday to introduce the first Viet Nam International Port Infrastructure and Logistics Exhibition & Conference 2019 (VIPILEC 2019), Le Duy Hiep, VLA chairman, said: “The logistics sector contributes 4-5 per cent to the countrys GDP.”

The sector had opportunities to develop in the coming time given the strong development of the e-commerce sector and fast delivering services and others, he said.

The country has 4,000 companies involved in the transportation of goods on domestic and international routes, he said. Of them, foreign-invested firms account for just 1 per cent but have a 12.7 per cent market share, he said.

Viet Nam ranked 39th out of 160 in the World Banks 2018 Logistics Performance Index, a big jump from two years ago when it was 64th, and third in Southeast Asia after Singapore (7th) and Thailand (rank 32nd). The index is based on six components: efficiency of customs and border management clearance; quality of trade and transport infrastructure; ease of arranging competitively priced shipments; competence and quality of logistics services; ability to track and trace consignments; and frequency with which shipments reach consignees within scheduled or expected delivery times.

Efficiency

Viet Nam had improved in all these components in 2018 compared to 2016, especially in efficiency of customs and border management clearance, Hiep said.

The country targets a rank of 30-35 by 2025 and has worked towards improving in all six components, he said.

He urged logistics companies to focus on improving their technology and logistics platform and increase digitisation and human resource training to meet the sectors development demand in the coming time.

VIPILEC, to be held in HCM City from June 12 to 14, promises to enable local firms to explore the most advanced technologies in seaport and logistics and network with foreign counterparts.

Organised by UBM (Informa Vietnam) and sponsored by VLA and the Viet Nam E-Commerce Association (VECOM), the exhibition has attracted over 100 exhibitors from 15 countries and territories, BT Tee, general manager of UBM VES, said.

Companies involved in third-party logistics (3PLs), freight forwarding, air transport, cold storage transport, stevedoring equipment, cold chain storage, container production, data analysis, waterway equipment supply and operation, equipment and logistics property supply, port equipment and technology,

To be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, it would also feature conferences on the current situation and latest trends in the seaport and logistics sectors in Viet Nam and globally organised by VLA, VECOM and Multi Engineering Solutions Laboratory, Tee said. — VNS