Ha Noi, 13 December 2011 -  Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched today the Vietnam Industrial Competitiveness Report 2011 (VICR 2011). The aim of this report is to contribute to the existing policy debate in Vietnam by providing a conceptual framework for understanding the drivers of industrial competitiveness, positioning Vietnamese industries in the international context, identifying industrial bottlenecks that can be addressed by policy, and presenting specific recommendations for Vietnamese leaders.

The VICR 2011 makes the case that industrialization is at the core of Viet Nam’s economic growth. This is in line with empirical and historical evidence which shows that a fast-growing economy needs a vibrant industrial sector. Boosting the manufacturing sector is likely to be even more important in the future if Viet Nam is to create more wealth and employment. The report argues that structural change towards certain strategic technology intensive sectors can speed up the industrialization process, thus providing the right conditions for sustained growth.

Mr. Le Duong Quang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, stressed that “the VICR 2011 will be deemed a useful document which supports policymakers in the formulation of industrial and trade policies that meet the requirements of the realities of the new stage in Viet Nam’s industrial development”. He emphasized two major issues of concern highlighted in the report: the evaluation of the role of trade liberalization in recent years for economic and productive restructuring, and the need for a re-formulation of industrial policy and strategies to take account of national priorities, as well as of global threats and opportunities. The release of the VICR 2011 is thus timely as it raises important policy implications.

Mr. Wilfried Luetkenhorst, UNIDO Managing Director, pointed out that “industrial competitiveness is not – or at least not entirely – determined solely by a country’s factor endowment. Competitive advantages can be created”. The VICR 2011 advocates this idea by arguing that Viet Nam needs to move up into technologically more sophisticated and higher value added activities.

The VICR 2011 is a collaborative product between MoIT and UNIDO in the context of the One UN funded programme “Building National Capacity in Industrial Diagnosis and Trade Competitiveness Analysis”. The report was prepared by UNIDO staff and the Industrial Competitiveness Group, an inter-ministerial working group consisting of young professionals trained by UNIDO. It is also benefited from the inputs and supervision of an Advisory Board composed of high-level senior government officials and advisors.

 Click here to download the Executive Summary report

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Le Huu Phuc
Deputy Director General
Department for International Cooperation
Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT)
Phone: +844-22 20 23 60
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Mr. Patrick Gilabert
Representative
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Vietnam Country Office
Phone: +844-38 22 44 90
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