Announcing the set of indicators to assess the implementation results of national free trade agreements in 2024

The announcement ceremony was held directly at the Government headquarters in Hanoi and connected online with the People's Committees of provinces and cities across the country. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and representatives of leaders of several ministries, branches and localities attended at the central bridge. Also attending at the central bridge was comrade Pham Van Thinh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Bac Giang province.

Delegates attending the announcement ceremony. Photo: Industry and Trade Newspaper.

At the Bac Giang province bridge, comrade Duong Ngoc Chien, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade chaired; representatives of leaders of a number of provincial departments and branches attended.

Proactively exploit advantages

The survey content of the FTA Index, which was first published, focused on four main aspects: the level of access to information about free trade agreements (FTAs) by enterprises; the compliance with domestic legal regulations from FTA commitments; the effectiveness of programs and policies to support enterprises in taking advantage of FTAs ​​and the implementation of sustainable development commitments in FTAs ​​in the locality, while also recording the difficulties and obstacles that enterprises are facing. The results show that Bac Giang is ranked in the average group in implementing the indicators nationwide.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien speaks.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to date, Vietnam has signed and implemented 17 FTAs ​​with many major partners in the world. In particular, participation in new-generation FTAs ​​has affirmed Vietnam's commitment to deep and comprehensive integration. These FTAs ​​bring great benefits to the economy such as promoting export growth, expanding markets, attracting foreign investment, and improving the production capacity and competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises. Commitments to reform and institutional transparency within the FTA framework also create momentum to improve the domestic business environment.

Realizing that international economic integration and the implementation of FTA agreements play an important role in economic development, Bac Giang has proactively implemented many measures and exploited its advantages. The province has issued long-term strategies to effectively exploit FTAs ​​such as: Bac Giang Province's import-export strategy until 2030; Plan to improve the effectiveness of international economic integration, promote rapid and sustainable development in the period of 2023-2030; Plan on digital transformation in Bac Giang Province for the period of 2021-2025, with a vision to 2030. The Provincial People's Committee has resolutely directed relevant agencies and units, People's Committees of districts, towns and cities to carry out assigned tasks on international economic integration, strengthen the implementation and effective exploitation of free trade agreements that have come into effect; synchronously implement many solutions to improve the investment and business environment; reform administrative procedures. At the same time, we regularly dialogue and listen to feedback from people and businesses to promptly resolve difficulties and problems... Through early warning information from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the province promptly approaches businesses in the industry to provide information, helping businesses understand the principles and investigation processes; the work that businesses need to do; and develop response scenarios for possible situations.

Focus on supporting businesses through administrative procedure reform, reducing procedures and customs clearance time, helping businesses easily export products to markets with FTA agreements. Export procedures, certificates of origin (C/O), animal and plant quarantine, and product quality inspection are simplified and implemented more quickly.

The Department of Industry and Trade has coordinated with trade promotion agencies, banks, and industry associations to organize training courses and seminars on FTAs ​​for businesses. Experts from state agencies directly advise businesses on how to take advantage of the benefits of FTAs ​​such as regulations on origin of goods, tariffs, and quality certification.

Bac Giang has invested heavily in infrastructure and logistics to facilitate the transportation of export goods. Dry ports, warehouses and key traffic routes have been improved to reduce transportation costs and delivery times for export goods. The province has proactively invited foreign investors in areas with great export potential, such as food processing, electronic components, textiles and automobile manufacturing. Investment support policies such as tax exemptions and reductions and support for production sites have been implemented to attract foreign investment capital, while strengthening the connection between domestic enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises.

After implementing the FTAs, Bac Giang's export turnover has grown strongly. Many enterprises have taken advantage of tariff incentives from the FTAs, helping to reduce product costs and improve competitiveness in the international market; the whole province has attracted many large foreign investment projects, especially in the fields of electronics manufacturing and food processing. These projects not only create many jobs but also contribute to the province's export growth.

According to Mr. Duong Ngoc Chien, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade, the FTA Index helps Bac Giang determine its position in implementing FTAs. Through this, there is also an additional database for the province to plan policies and development strategies suitable to the conditions and potentials of each locality. To improve and raise the FTA Index, the Department advises the province to continue implementing solutions such as: Consulting and supporting small and medium enterprises, helping businesses grasp and take advantage of opportunities from trade agreements. Promoting business connections with international partners, creating opportunities to connect businesses in Bac Giang with international partners through trade promotion programs; continuing to improve low indexes.

Building an independent and self-reliant economy

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that assessing integration through the FTA Index is very necessary, a new quantitative and systematic tool, aiming to provide transparent and public data, which is the basis for making realistic policies, contributing to promoting growth.

Delegates attending at the Bac Giang province bridge.

The Prime Minister emphasized that integration requires keeping pace and moving forward together. Integration but still having to be independent, self-reliant and not dependent on any partner. We welcome cooperation with all partners to bring a prosperous life to the people but not integration but dependence. That means integration must go hand in hand with building an independent, self-reliant economy; placed in movement, development, with opportunities and challenges. At the same time, closely following the motto of promoting multilateralism, avoiding confrontation, promoting dialogue, for the goal of equality, and mutual benefit.

Vietnam clearly identifies international integration and foreign affairs as a regular and important task; an important driving force to bring the country into a new era. Reality shows that Vietnam is transforming from a behind-the-scenes country to a rising one.

The Government is currently negotiating with many countries and regions around the world to diversify supply chains and expand export markets. With its responsibilities and roles, each locality, department and sector must constantly promote the spirit of self-reliance; develop long-term integration plans; focus on reducing at least 30% of the time and cost of administrative procedures to facilitate people and businesses, creating an open investment environment. Businesses are interested in developing production and business activities.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister awarded Certificates of Merit to 5 provinces and cities with outstanding achievements in implementing FTAs ​​in 2024.

Trinh Lan - Mac Yen

Source: https://baobacgiang.vn/cong-bo-bo-chi-so-danh-gia-ket-qua-thuc-hien-cac-hiep-dinh-thuong-mai-tu-do-toan-quoc-nam-2024-postid415674.bbg