E-commerce clients require a commendable level of dependability, exceptional craftsmanship, and customer-focused attitudes from exporting businesses to secure partnerships, as emphasized at a recent conference.

HCMC, VIETNAM - On Wednesday, over 200 experts and exporters gathered at the "Outstanding Vietnam: Advancing Strongly Through Uncertainties, Conquering Global Markets" conference to discuss strategies for developing business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce. The event, organized by the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre and Alibaba.com, emphasized the importance of a reliable, skilled workforce and excellent customer service in the B2B e-commerce market.

Hồ Thị Quyên, deputy director of the ITPC, highlighted e-commerce's role as a crucial solution for businesses to thrive amid uncertainty and compete in the global market, according to World Bank forecasts predicting 2.7% global economic growth in the 2025-26 period. With the increasing shift towards cross-border shopping and the growth of e-commerce worldwide and in Việt Nam, the significance of e-commerce continues to increase.

Vietnam saw a 17% increase in e-commerce in the first four months of 2023 alone, with 725 registration documents filed for new e-commerce websites in April, reflecting the thriving market. Moreover, the global B2B e-commerce market is projected to reach $20.9 trillion by 2027, making it an attractive opportunity for Vietnamese exporters.

To capitalize on these opportunities, attendees shared valuable insights and information to help exporters attract more clients through online platforms. Success stories, such as Silver Pine, a traditional Vietnamese furniture manufacturer, highlighted the importance of showcasing a factory's capabilities and product quality online.

Trần Chức Cường, Silver Pine's founder, emphasized the significance of digital representation in today's global marketplace, "In today's world, where global buyer behavior has shifted to digital, showcasing our factory's capabilities and high-quality products has become more crucial than ever."

Hundreds of experts and exporters attend the "Outstanding Việt Nam: Advancing Strongly Through Uncertainties, Conquering Global Markets" conference in HCM City on Wednesday to share experiences in developing B2B e-commerce. - VNS Photo Thu Ngân

Steven Selikoff, a specialist in product development and global sourcing, provided insights into US buyer search patterns, Vietnam's rising status as a preferred sourcing hub, and ways for sellers to forge long-lasting relationships with international clients. He encouraged local suppliers to capitalize on their strengths, particularly their focus on reliability, craftsmanship, and customer service, to excel in markets like the US.

To support small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam as they navigate the digital transformation journey, Alibaba.com launched the "Guarantee Package" at the event. This comprehensive initiative aims to help our Vietnamese businesses improve their operational effectiveness, increase their global exposure, and enhance their cross-border trade performance, ultimately making our products more accessible to the platform's 50 million global B2B buyers.

Young Liu, head of Alibaba.com's B2B division, explained the motivation behind the new initiative: "With the Guarantee Package, we are offering more than just a tool. We are crafting a comprehensive roadmap for our Vietnamese SMEs. Alibaba.com's vision is to empower businesses to overcome global market uncertainties and turn challenges into successful opportunities." By equipping our Vietnamese enterprises with the right tools, they can not only participate in global e-commerce but also lead its evolution in the digital age.

Hồ Thị Quyên, deputy director of the ITPC delivers a speech at the conference. - Photo courtesy of the organisers

In the global B2B e-commerce market, which is projected to reach $20.9 trillion by 2027, Vietnam's exporters find an attractive opportunity for growth.
The conference, "Outstanding Vietnam: Advancing Strongly Through Uncertainties, Conquering Global Markets," highlighted the importance of digital representation and a skilled workforce for succeeding in the B2B e-commerce market.
Research, technology, and AI will play significant roles in businesses' digital transformation, as companies strive to improve their operational effectiveness and global exposure.
A reliable workforce, outstanding customer service, and a strong focus on reliability, craftsmanship, and customer service can place local suppliers at an advantage in the US and other international markets.

E-commerce clients require a commendable level of dependability, exceptional craftsmanship, and customer-focused attitudes from exporting businesses to secure partnerships, as emphasized at a recent conference.