Hanoi (VNA) – ♉Multidisciplinary conglomerate Vingroup signed co-operation contracts with nearly 250 local firms in 7 industries on June 1 under its programme to support and promote domestic production.

The firms in the industries of food, cosmetics, stationery and toys, household appliances and fashion and textiles were from 8 cities and provinces in Vietnam. Under the contracts, Vingroup and its subsidiaries of Vincommerce, Vincom Retail, VINECO, VinDS would offer a solution package for those firms such as incentive policies to distribute their products in the group and enhancing the firms’ brand presence in the group’s commodities and services. The group also supported those firms in technology, management, quality control, marketing and selling their products in its chains, thus they could improve their efficiency. Over 140 firms signed the distribution contracts with Vingroup, thus they will be able to sell their goods in the chains of Vinmart supermarkets and Vinmart + convenience stores with preferential terms. Food suppliers, especially as those involved in fresh food such as meat, fish, poultry, vegetables and fruit would be enjoying a zero percent discount. According to the local firms, competition in the retail market has become harder after the country joined free trade agreements. As some foreign rivals in Vietnam’s retail sectors asked them for high discounts of between 17 and 25 percent when distributing their products, many have faced the prospect of losses due to these demands. Vingroup’s Vice Chairman Le Khac Hiep also confirmed that the competition was extremely fierce, not only in the retail sector but also in total domestic production, however he considers it a chance for local firms to upgrade their product quality, adding that “the programme aims to promote domestic production, contributing to safe food sources and also to build national brands with international standards to best serve the local consumers”. Vingroup said the incentive programme was to help suppliers have more funds to reinvest in product quality and improve standards of safety and hygiene. All the firms involved have committed to supplying the market with high-quality products. At the same time, Vingroup also encouraged those suppliers to decrease prices in support of consumers. Vingroup has invested in 16 laboratories in cities and provinces that have Vinmart supermarkets. The local labs will be able to check and control the hygiene and food safety of the products sold in its system. In addition, the group also signed cooperation contracts with about 100 firms so that they could strengthen their brand presence in the group’s chains such as Vincom Retail, VinDS and VinPro. Vu Kim Hanh, Chairwoman of Vietnam High-quality Products Association said the support of Vingroup with local firms in the context of fiercer competition in the local retail sector would not only help the firms in distribution but also in management. Local economist Pham Chi Lan, said as 97 percent of local firms were of small and medium sizes, a big hand is needed to support and link them together, thus, she said the cooperation has met the expectations of many local firms, adding that “an economy can only be sustainable with a well developed local business community”.-VNA