The conference aims to assess the situation of industrial, trade and energy development; remove difficulties and obstacles and promote regional linkages, creating a driving force for breakthroughs to successfully complete socio-economic goals in 2026 and the period 2026-2030.

Attending the Conference were comrades: Luong Hoang Thai, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade; Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee. Also attending were representatives of leaders of Departments under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, leaders of the People's Committee, Department of Industry and Trade, departments, departments and branches of 15 provinces and cities in the North, representatives of industry associations and the business community operating in the fields of industry, trade, energy, etc logistics.

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Luong Hoang Thai emphasized that in the context that 2026 is the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress and the Socio-Economic Development Plan for the period 2026-2030, the local Industry and Trade sector needs to actively innovate management methods, improve the efficiency of coordination and better exploit the potentials and advantages of each locality in regional linkages. It is necessary to strengthen the connection of supporting industry enterprises with FDI enterprises and leading enterprises; linking the raw material area with processing and consumption; connecting industrial zones and clusters with the system of seaports, border gates and logistics centers.

Leaders of the Ministry of Industry and Trade emphasized that the last 3 months of 2026 are decisive for the completion of the 2026 plan and create solid momentum for 2027. Therefore, the Conference focused on discussing and clarifying key issues: Closely assessing the ability to complete the target in 2026, focusing on evaluating the contribution of key sectors and projects in the fourth quarter; clearly identify the causes, breakthrough solutions and implementation responsibilities for targets at risk of failure. Thoroughly remove obstacles to production and business activities, go straight to the difficulties hindering enterprises, focus on completely solving problems of investment projects in the area. Concretize the content of regional linkage into feasible tasks and plans, focusing on connecting supporting industry enterprises with FDI enterprises and leading enterprises; linking the raw material area with processing and consumption; connecting industrial zones, clusters and border gates with the seaport system and logistics centers. Exploiting the domestic market in association with sustainable export expansion and improving the efficiency of state management and coordination between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and localities.

Speaking to welcome the Conference, Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee, emphasized that Hai Phong is very honored to be selected by the Ministry of Industry and Trade as the host unit to organize the XII Conference on Industry and Trade of Northern Provinces and Cities. This is a great opportunity for localities to jointly identify bottlenecks and remove obstacles beyond the scope of a province or city, thereby creating more growth momentum for the whole region and the whole country.

The Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee affirmed that the Northern region fully converges industrial production centers, raw material areas, large consumer markets and a system of international border gates, seaports, and modern transport infrastructure. The effectiveness of the development of the industry and trade in each locality depends not only on internal efforts but also on the ability to connect infrastructure, markets, data and policies throughout the region.

Looking back at the results of the first 9 months of 2026, Hai Phong city continues to maintain impressive growth momentum with many leading economic indicators: GRDP growth rate in 9 months is estimated at 11.73%; the industrial production index (IIP) was estimated to increase by 15.14%, of which the processing and manufacturing industry increased by 15.36%; export turnover was estimated at 43.72 billion USD (up 12.3%); total retail sales of goods and services were estimated at VND 320,890 billion (up 16.08%); the volume of goods through the port was estimated at 156.3 million tons (up 11.8%). Total state budget revenue in the area is estimated to increase by 11.7%, of which revenue from import and export activities reached VND 72,974 billion (up 17%). Hai Phong is honored to be in the Top 05 localities with typical economic management quality according to the PCI 2025 index, continuing to lead the country in the Administrative Reform Index (PAR INDEX) and the People's Satisfaction Index (SIPAS) in 2025.

Implementing Resolution No. 45-NQ/TW of the Politburo and new development space after merging with Hai Duong province, Hai Phong is committed to continuing to strongly improve the business investment environment, improve logistics capacity, and be ready to act as a focal point for connecting and accompanying the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Northern provinces to promote sustainable supply chains.

At the Conference, representatives of the Departments of Industry and Trade of provinces, cities and business communities contributed many quality presentations, focusing on the mechanism for coordinating industry chains, logistics routes, digital transformation, economical use of energy and clean production development.

The conference is not only an opportunity to evaluate the results of the implementation of tasks but also opens up new requirements for regional linkage methods. From policy connection to infrastructure connection, from production linkage to logistics and market, the Industry and Trade sector in the North is facing the requirement of forming more competitive value chains, contributing to the growth goals of each locality and the whole region.

Within the framework of the Conference, the units will sign cooperation agreements to promote e-commerce, support businesses, cooperatives, and business households to improve their capacity to apply digital technology, develop markets and promote exports. The city's Department of Industry and Trade also signed cooperation agreements with e-commerce platforms and technology enterprises, aiming to support businesses in the area to develop online business and reach domestic and international consumers./.