Firm stands to deliver

Newly appointed TNT Viet Nam general manager Hardy Diec speaks to the Viet Nam News about the express delivery market and TNT’s strategy for development in Viet Nam and the region.

What are the express delivery opportunities in Viet Nam?

Viet Nam has been one of the most dynamic economy in Southeast Asia over the past 10 years. Despite the global economic downturn, foreign direct investment flows into Viet Nam were around US$20-22 billion in 2009, including both new and supplemental capital.

Viet Nam has many multi-national corporations such as Emerson, Intel, Samsung, Canon and Panasonic which require a lot of support – transport, storage, logistics, handling and customs – creating huge demand for express deliveries.

Viet Nam is also in ASEAN. By the year 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community blueprint will transform it into a single market and production base, making the region stronger and integrated. Express deliveries will play a vital role.

Viet Nam’s full membership in the WTO will also bring opportunities for local enterprises and increased foreign investment. Along with that, the express delivery industry will be totally open by 2012, allowing both international and local players to compete. This means a greater opportunity for TNT to expand.

How will TNT improve its competitiveness?

Our aim is to attain leadership in the region and to do so, we’ll continue anticipate business growth and offer enhanced solutions.

Regionally, we will further invest in our “Asia road network” which spans more than 7,650km to more than 127 cities, connecting Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Viet Nam and China. This network is cheaper than air freight and faster than sea freight.

At the local level, we have operations centres in Ha Noi and HCM City. Faster clearance is achieved in part because it is the only such operation in the country providing in-house customs with solid security system.

The express delivery services will be completely open by 2012 as part of Viet Nam’s WTO commitment. How do you envision this sector will be five years after that?

The opening of the express delivery services market requires competitiveness and sustainable development. Customers will benefit from improved quality and competitive prices.

It will also lower costs, which will help Viet Nam become more competitive in exporting.

Each express delivery company will have their own strengths. We will see more market segmentation, new products and new services with more technology and world class practices at a lower cost.

TNT is optimistic that with the liberalisation of the delivery market, there will be a greater opportunity for us to grow and match our customers’ needs. — VNS

Tags: vietnam logistics