Poland is a strategic “gateway” that helps connect Vietnamese businesses with Western and Eastern European markets. Access to the Polish market not only brings business opportunities in this country but also opens the way to the EU region with more than 500 million people.

This afternoon (January 9), within the framework of the 22nd 9th Monthly B2B trade connection program in Long An province, an online trade session took place, gathering more than 200 domestic and overseas Vietnamese businessmen living and working in Poland.

The market still has a lot of room for development

Vietnam and Poland have long maintained a strategic economic relationship, where both countries play an important gateway role for each other. Vietnam, with its strategic location in Southeast Asia and as a global manufacturing center, is a bridge for Polish businesses to access the ASEAN market with more than 650 million people. In contrast, Poland is a gateway for Vietnamese goods to penetrate the large EU market, with nearly 500 million consumers and high purchasing power.

According to Mr. Tran Trong Hung – Chairman of the Vietnam Business Association in Poland, the complementarity between the two economies is a testament to the potential for long-term cooperation. Vietnam exports products such as textiles, agricultural products, seafood, and processed foods, while Poland supplies pharmaceuticals, technology, and high-quality processed foods.

In addition, the Vietnam – EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has created great opportunities to promote trade relations between Vietnam and the EU. EVFTA not only reduces tariff barriers but also helps increase the flow of goods and bilateral investment.

Mr. Hoang Manh Hue – Honorary President of the Union of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs in Europe said that one of the bright spots in the trade relations between the two countries is the Wólka Kosowska commercial center. This is not only the largest trading center of Vietnamese people in Poland but also a place where diverse and effective business activities are concentrated. With an area of ​​over 300,000 m², Wólka Kosowska has become an important logistics facility, where Vietnamese goods not only serve the Polish market but also expand to the entire EU region.

“The special thing is the role of the Vietnamese community in Wólka Kosowska. They are not only dynamic businessmen but also play an important role in connecting Vietnamese goods with European consumers,” said Mr. Hue.

However, according to Mr. Hue, despite such advantages, there is still a lot of room for cooperation that has not been fully exploited. For example, in Wólka Kosowska, 80-85% of Vietnamese people do not sell Vietnamese goods in the Vietnamese center but import goods from other countries. “This is something to think about…”, Mr. Hue shared.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Son, Trade Counselor of the Vietnamese Trade Office in Poland, said that despite many advantages for cooperation, the Polish market still has a lot of untapped potential. Some enterprises in Vietnam may not have accessed this market due to geographical distance or recent political fluctuations in neighboring regions.

“But it is forecasted that in the coming time, opportunities will expand, especially when political instability in neighboring regions is resolved, promising to bring about major fluctuations, opportunities in trade activities in Poland,” said Mr. Nguyen Son.

Directions for Vietnamese enterprises

Mr. Hoang Manh Hue said that in order to penetrate the Polish market, enterprises need to carefully research whether their products meet the tastes and needs here or not, need to clearly understand the needs, consumer habits and prominent trends in Poland. This suitability will create an important competitive advantage.

According to Mr. Nguyen Son, with a market with many strict standards like the EU in general, Poland in particular, product quality is a decisive factor for success. Certifications on food safety, environmental protection, etc. need to be focused on.

Sharing the same view, Mr. Hoang Xuan Binh – Head of the Advisory Board of the Union of Vietnamese Business Associations in Europe said that agricultural products are one of the items with the greatest potential when exported to Poland. However, Vietnamese agricultural products, specifically those of the provinces in the Mekong Delta, still have many limitations in the harvesting and post-harvest processing stages, which have not been thoroughly implemented, leading to low-quality processing and preservation.

“Not to mention, Vietnamese products still lack their own brands, most of them are still limited to processing and exporting raw products, and have not made a strong impression on the international market. This is something that needs to be urgently improved in the coming time,” said Mr. Binh.

Enterprises also need to identify appropriate distribution channels for their products. In addition to traditional distribution channels that still have a lot of room such as traditional markets, Asian supermarkets, etc., online platforms such as Allegro, Amazon and independent e-commerce platforms are also emerging as potential distribution channels. However, to access them, enterprises need to adapt to modern technology, increase the application of cross-border electronic payment platforms to suit the needs of partners.

In addition, Mr. Tran Trong Hung believes that the young generation of Vietnamese people in Poland, with a solid educational foundation, understanding of the local language and culture, will be a key force in innovating business models. They can play an important role as a bridge between Vietnamese enterprises and the Polish market, from product development to brand building. Therefore, promoting practical and effective trade connection activities, focusing on exploiting the potential of this group, is a priority in the coming time.

Mr. Huynh Van Son – Vice Chairman of Long An Provincial People’s Committee

With a GRDP growth rate of 8.3%, ranking 3rd in the Mekong Delta, Long An has demonstrated its economic strength, especially in the agricultural sector with a rice output of 3 million tons, of which 72% is high-quality rice; along with other diverse agricultural products.

In the context of a changing world, the shift in investment flows along with the demand for green and sustainable development opens up great opportunities for businesses in Long An, especially in connecting with international markets such as Poland. Today’s 9th Monthly B2B program marks an important step in the global connection strategy, helping Long An businesses get closer to the Polish market, exploiting the potential for cooperation not only in agricultural products but also in other fields.

Mr. Peter Hong – Chairman of the Association of Overseas Vietnamese Entrepreneurs:

Long An is not only a strategic gateway connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the Mekong Delta, but also a locality with outstanding potential to reach out to the international market. The favorable geographical location helps Long An become an important trading center, creating a strong driving force for the economic development of the whole region.

In the coming time, Long An needs to proactively promote cooperation between local enterprises and neighboring regions, while expanding connections with international markets. Localities should not stop at the production stage, but need to build a clear strategy to develop their own brands. This is a necessary step to penetrate deeper into potential markets, while enhancing the value and position of Vietnamese brands in the international arena.

To realize this goal, solidarity between relevant parties, from the government, enterprises, through associations, clubs, etc, will be a key factor.

Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine signed a MoU with the Young Entrepreneurs Associations of 3 provinces and cities:

In order to strengthen communication cooperation, business connection and trade promotion, and promote exports for enterprises in the provinces and cities, Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine signed a cooperation agreement to participate in the 9th Monthly B2B program with the Young Entrepreneurs Associations of 3 provinces: Vinh Long, Binh Duong, and Ca Mau.