HCM City (VNA) – Green logistics is a growing trendthat is expected to become a requirement in the supply chain of food sector,heard a conference themed “Green logistics – from trend to practice and itsrole in the food production and export” held in Ho Chi Minh City on June 28.

Nguyen Tuan, Vice Director of the HCM City Investment andTrade Promotion Centre (ITPC), said that this year, the logistics sector is facingmany difficulties from high inflation pressure and economic crisis in major economies as well as the disruption of supply chains, which affectimport-export and logistics activities.

Greening up trade and logistic activities isbecoming a crucial need, leading to higher standards and cost for tradeand logistics activities.

Tuan said that currently, logistics is an important link to"green up" the supply chain towards a sustainable development roadmap.In the context that consumers increasingly prefer environmentally friendlyproducts and the trend of transition to a green economy is taking placeglobally, green logistics has received greater attention from businesses, heheld.

Tuan said that the greening up of the logistics sector andthe diversification of measures to green up the sector in all aspects will helpbusinesses better meet requirements in environmental protection, enhancingtheir competitiveness and secure sustainable growth.

Ton That Tu, a logistics expert, said that there remain manychallenges for Vietnam to promote green logistics. He noted that 74.4% of the totalgoods is being transported by roads, and the switching of transportationmethods to railway and waterway has been slow.

Meanwhile, the majority of logistics businesses in Vietnam are of small and medium sizes without close coordination and standardisation oflogistics services. Many of them have yet to have necessary capacity andtechnologies to provide high quality services, he said.

Tu held that for the food sector, green logistics can helpimprove food safety and quality, and reduce cost, which is crucial forVietnam currently.

Experts advised the logistics sector of Vietnam to designpolicies to increase investment to the infrastructure system to upgrade roads,railways, airports and seaports to facilitate goods transport.

Relevant ministries and agencies should also simplifyadministrative procedures to remove obstacle for logistics forms and encourage themto renovate their operation towards becoming more friendly to the environment, theysaid.

They also advised logistics and food firms to be more activein digital transformation and apply new technologies in their operations./.