E-commerce activities have penetrated almost every sector of production and commerce, thereby promoting global economic development. E-commerce is also a modern channel for goods consumption, effectively serving the needs of consumers. Vietnam is a potential market for e-commerce development due to its growing economy and population of nearly 100 million people.
E-commerce is
rapidly growing in popularity andquickly becoming a widely used trading method.
The challenges posed to traditional buying and selling activities, particularly
in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, further emphasize the importance of
e-commerce. With that in mind, the International Webinar "ASEAN's
E-Commerce During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: Perspectives and Lessons
from Enterprises" organized by the Faculty of International Business and
Economics, VNU University of Economics and Business on September 22, 2021 provided opportunities
for economic researchers, managers, and policymakers. Business executives,
lecturers, experts, and students share their perspectives and experiences on
overcoming obstacles to ASEAN's international trade activities during the
COVID-19 pandemic, and offer practical solutions to assist e-commerce
businesses and ASEAN countries in capitalizing on post-COVID-19 opportunities.
Dr. Vu Thanh Huong
began the Webinar by emphasizing how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered consumer
behavior significantly. Due to social distancing measures, purchasing in person
at shopping malls, supermarkets, and stores is difficult. As a result,
consumers are increasingly gravitating toward online shopping, causing the
share of e-commerce in global retail to increase from 14% in 2019 to around 17%
in 2020, and this trend will likely continue in the near future. This context
increases the pressure on ASEAN businesses and countries to promote the
application of digital technology, to digitize the economy, and to develop
e-commerce.
Taking a
business-oriented approach, speakers - Dr. Atty Rami Amer Hourani, a supply
chain expert in the Philippines and President of the PhilExport Union - Cebu,
examined the topic "Retail industry during the COVID-19 pandemic"
using two large-scale retail businesses as case studies. Numerous e-commerce
applications are being developed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted
the challenges that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the
retail industry face, including the following: Business regulations change
frequently, and the social environment is fraught with inconsistencies.
Consensus on how to respond to the pandemic, challenging business environment
due to diminished purchasing power, disruption of global supply chains... In
that context, the use of e-commerce to overcome obstacles The challenges posed
by the COVID-19 pandemic have grown even more significant for retailers of all
sizes. The first example is Art N' Nature Manufacturing, a company with over 40
years of experience exporting handicrafts to Europe and the United States. In
response to the social distancing situation, the company actively negotiated
with the Philippine government, learned about the government's support
programs, and used an e-commerce business model to assist in reducing social
distancing. Reduce operating costs through the use of online sales systems and
accounting software such as QuickBooks. This results in cost savings in human
resource management and a more effective exchange of information between
employees in different departments. in the business. For small businesses with
limited staff and technology, such as the Balik startup, the company has used
social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to distribute
products, as well as developing a customer evaluation and feedback system in
potential areas, managing an order system via an online document application,
and so on. These are considered viable options for small businesses to continue
operations, production, and market access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the COVID-19
pandemic still a serious threat to the Philippines in particular and ASEAN
countries in general, the fact that businesses have adopted various e-commerce
models will aid in expediting the economic recovery following the pandemic. The
establishment of such a cross-border supply chain will also contribute to the
promotion of the ASEAN Agreement on e-commerce, thereby promoting the ASEAN
economies' digitization. Additionally, it should be noted that many ASEAN
e-commerce companies, such as Shopee, Lazada, and others, have parent companies
in China. Numerous Chinese companies, on the other hand, are currently
experiencing a variety of crises and financial difficulties. This issue
directly affects the Chinese e-commerce market, but it also presents an
opportunity for ASEAN e-commerce businesses as orders gradually migrate out of
China. ASEAN, and particularly Vietnamese businesses, must be well prepared to
capitalize on this opportunity.
Mr. Piotr
Harasimowicz, Chief Representative of the Foreign Trade Office, Trade and
Investment Agency of Vietnam Lan in Vietnam, presented a comprehensive and
in-depth look at e-commerce activities under the theme "Perspectives on
the context of e-commerce in Vietnam and Polish e-commerce enterprises in
Vietnam." He provided an overview of the ASEAN and Vietnamese e-commerce
markets. Shopee, Lazada, Tokopedia, and Tiki are among the most active and
interested businesses in the field of e-commerce in ASEAN and Vietnam. Through
an analysis of the highlights of e-commerce activities in Vietnam, as well as
the conditions and influence of foreign investors, the potentials and
opportunities for European enterprises, particularly Polish enterprises, to
invest in the field of e-commerce in Vietnam have been identified.
https://polishfood.hk/ - an e-commerce site specializing in selling
high-quality food products from Poland in Hong Kong and ASEAN - is one of the
prominent Polish business projects in the field of e-commerce that has been
implemented in ASEAN. Additionally, the Polish Ministry of Economic
Development, Labor, and Technology, in collaboration with the Polish Trade and
Investment Authority, is in discussions with Lazada to establish a Polish
Pavilion on Lazada Vietnam, Tiki.vn, and Sendo, and offers a seller exchange
program on the Polish portal Allegro.pl for Vietnamese sellers. Buy2Sell Vietnam
has made numerous offers of collaboration to cosmetic companies in Poland
interested in entering the Vietnamese market. Vietnamese businesses must take
advantage of their ability to connect and collaborate with Polish businesses in
the field of e-commerce. Poland is currently the 9th largest export market for
Vietnamese goods in the EU, owing to the foundation of a strong trade
relationship between Vietnam and Poland. The Vietnamese community in Poland is
particularly large, and Vietnamese cuisine is gaining popularity in Poland and
throughout the EU. This is an excellent opportunity for Vietnamese businesses,
particularly those in the food sector, to promote their products and services
in the Polish market via e-commerce.
Vietnam has become
one of the fastest growing Internet economies in the region. The e-commerce
market is rapidly growing in popularity as a business model for enterprises and
has a sizable presence in the community. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic's
impact, many businesses faced difficulties conducting business; as a result,
the e-commerce market has developed into an effective business channel for
businesses to both transact with customers and provide business services.
specifications for epidemic prevention. Vietnam's e-commerce sector grew
strongly in 2020 and the first eight months of 2021, achieving some outstanding
results in a variety of areas such as online retail, car booking, food
delivery, online entertainment, online marketing, online payment, and online
training... However, Vietnam still has a long way to go in terms of promoting
e-commerce development and contributing to the economic recovery following the
epidemic. Within the Webinar's framework, a number of recommendations were made
to assist the state and businesses in general, and Vietnam in particular, in
overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and capitalizing on development
opportunities.
For ASEAN
countries, with a particular emphasis on Vietnam, the Vietnamese
government must work to improve the legal framework and effectively implement
e-commerce tax policies. Additionally, digitizing tax collection is a critical
solution that must be implemented rapidly and effectively. E-commerce is a
highly specialized field that combines technology and market forces, physical
and virtual elements, and established entities with entities in the digital
space. As a result, the Vietnamese government must perfect the legal framework
that underpins practice, and it is necessary to amend and improve the laws
governing e-commerce, particularly in the area of payment technology
application (Fintech). Additionally, the Government of Vietnam should develop
programs, policies, and solutions aimed at perfecting the credit rating
platform for e-commerce websites; this is necessary in order to increase
customers' trust in purchasing and payment activities conducted in an
e-commerce environment, thereby promoting the growth of e-commerce.
Additionally, in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam requires
appropriate incentives to attract FDI into e-commerce and related industries.
It is critical to promote the dissemination of information to foreign investors
about Vietnamese laws and regulations, the business environment, and culture.
Vietnam must also take advantage of new generation free trade agreements, such
as the EU-Vietnam FTA, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for
Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and the
EU-EU FTA. South - United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA)... to facilitate
cross-border e-commerce and investment.
Businesses must act quickly
when implementing digital technology and always have a backup plan in place to
maintain production and ensure the supply chain is proactive in all situations.
To navigate through challenges and seize opportunities in a volatile
environment, e-commerce businesses must be adaptable and proactive in their
business strategies and operational tactics. The application of technology to
customer data management is critical for improving and more effectively
connecting with customers, retaining existing customers, and easily reaching
new customers. The application of e-commerce must be reasonable in order to
assist in cost reduction in the face of a dramatic increase in logistics costs.
Additionally, the use of e-commerce in business is a viable solution for a
number of businesses during this difficult epidemic period. However, businesses
must evaluate the suitability of e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Shopee,
and Lazada... as well as social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram... in order to select the most appropriate e-commerce platform for
their business, taking into account factors such as costs and benefits,
security, and privacy. Finally, businesses considering e-commerce should
develop an international strategy and adopt a global mindset in order to gain
access to a larger market.
Every situation,
even the direst, contains an opportunity. The "bad situation" is that
the COVID-19 pandemic may persist for an extended period of time, but
businesses can fully capitalize on good opportunities to expand production and
export by utilizing an e-commerce platform in their business activities.
Countries will also be more active and dynamic in their efforts to renew their
economies as a result of the pressures of accelerating digitization. A time of
crisis provides an opportunity for businesses and the entire country to
recognize and abandon outdated concepts that are no longer necessary for
society's development. E-commerce is critical for Vietnam and businesses to
improve their operational efficiency, promote future growth, and accelerate the
country's transition to a high-middle-income status by 2030, as Vietnam has
stated in its Socio-Economic Development Strategy for the period 2021-2030.
| Dr. Atty. Rami Amer G. Hourani is the Founder of
Hourani Law Firm, Vice President of Art N 'Nature Mfg, President of PhilExport
Cebu Union and Professor at College of Law - University of Cebu. In addition,
he serves as Vice Chairman of the Philippine Export Development Council's
Legislative Advocacy and Monitoring Network Committee, and is a consultant to
the Federation of Employers of the Philippines, the Philippine and Chinese
Chambers of Commerce and Training Center of the International Labor
Organization. He graduated with a Doctor of Laws from Ateneo de Manila
University of Law in 2017. In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree
in Business Management with a minor in English Literature and Business
Development in 2013. |
| Mr. Piotr (Peter) Harasimowicz is Chief
Representative of Foreign Trade Office, Polish Chamber of Commerce and
Investment in Vietnam. He is a manager with more than 20 years of professional
experience in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries in Southeast
Asia. During his professional activities, he held positions of many domestic
and foreign enterprises such as CEO at Minh Son Health Co., Ltd., Director of
sales and business development at IMS Health. . He was also in charge of the
business analysis department at Asia-Pacific and won the Outstanding Sales
Director award at Abbott Laboratories. In addition, he conducts a number of
independent investment and consulting activities, is a member of the
supervisory board of organizations such as the European Chamber of Commerce and
a member of the Executive Committee of the Central and Eastern European
Chambers of Commerce in Vietnam. He graduated with a Master's degree and
studied engineering at Gdynia Maritime University. |