Hai Phong: Supporting businesses to effectively utilize ASEAN FTAs

On October 14, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Hai Phong Department of Industry and Trade jointly organized a workshop on the ASEAN Economic Community and taking advantage of commitments in free trade agreements.

Businesses need to proactively adapt to take advantage of opportunities from FTAs.

In order to raise awareness and capacity to effectively utilize commitments in ASEAN free trade agreements (FTAs), the Ministry of Industry and Trade in coordination with the Department of Industry and Trade of Hai Phong City organized a workshop on “ASEAN Economic Community and utilizing commitments in ASEAN free trade agreements of which Vietnam is a member”. The workshop attracted more than 200 delegates from state management agencies, industry associations, economic experts and the business community, especially export and production enterprises oriented to the ASEAN market.

In his opening speech, Mr. Le Trieu Dung, Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, emphasized: “After 10 years of implementing the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2015 - 2025, Vietnam has achieved many positive results in regional economic integration. However, to convert FTA commitments into specific benefits, businesses need to proactively improve their capacity, adapt quickly and accurately grasp changes in trade policy.”

Mr. Le Trieu Dung informed: After 30 years since Vietnam joined ASEAN, it has achieved remarkable achievements, especially in economic relations, trade, exports... In 2024, Vietnam's export value to ASEAN reached nearly 36.9 billion USD, an increase of 13.3% compared to 2023; accounting for 9.09% of Vietnam's total export value to the world . In the first 9 months of 2025, export turnover from Vietnam to ASEAN reached 28.5 billion USD, an increase of 2.8% over the same period in 2024.

Mr. Le Trieu Dung hopes that through the workshop “ASEAN Economic Community and taking advantage of commitments in ASEAN free trade agreements of which Vietnam is a member”, experts will introduce to businesses in Hai Phong about the ASEAN Economic Community and future orientations; disseminate commitments related to rules of origin in FTAs ​​for businesses to take advantage of; make recommendations for specific industries (leather, footwear, textiles and garments). In particular, he will acknowledge comments from representatives of agencies and businesses participating in the workshop to further improve the effectiveness of Vietnam's participation in ASEAN economic integration.

On the local side, Mr. Nguyen Cong Han, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hai Phong, said: "Hai Phong City has strengths in export and investment attraction. Through the workshop, we hope that local businesses will be updated with timely information, thereby increasing their ability to access FTA incentives and improving business efficiency."

Removing difficulties and paving the way for export businesses

Within the framework of the program, Ms. Nguyen Hien Le, ASEAN Division, Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade presented a report summarizing 10 years of implementing the ASEAN Economic Community, and at the same time introduced the strategic orientation for the period 2026 - 2030.

Delegates attending the workshop

Ms. Nguyen Hien Le emphasized: “Intra-bloc linkages and new initiatives in ASEAN will be opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to expand their markets and increase added value in the regional supply chain.”

Also at the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Van Duc, Deputy Head of ASEAN Division, Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, updated the negotiation process and upgraded FTAs ​​between ASEAN and partners such as China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. These upgrades expand the scope of cooperation to areas such as e-commerce, intellectual property and sustainable supply chain development, areas that businesses need to prepare early to avoid missing out on opportunities.

One of the most practical highlights for businesses is the sharing of Mr. Hoang Duc Minh, Import-Export Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade on the rules of origin of goods, the key condition to enjoy tariff incentives in FTA. "Understanding and correctly applying the rules of origin will help businesses save costs, improve competitiveness and avoid legal risks in export activities," Mr. Minh recommended.

The program ended with a panel discussion on the topic “Recommendations for the footwear, textile and garment industries and export products to the ASEAN market”. At the event, Ms. Doan Thi Thu Ha, Vice President of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association and Ms. Tran Minh Thu, representative of VCCI pointed out many barriers that businesses are facing, from lack of information, capacity to comply with technical standards, to difficulties in meeting rules of origin.

Business representatives at the seminar

The seminar proposed many solutions such as: Strengthening FTA training for businesses, developing convenient search tools and providing technical and legal support in export. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to accompany businesses, from consulting, training to implementation support, to help the business community make the best use of the FTAs ​​that Vietnam has signed.

The workshop “ASEAN Economic Community and taking advantage of commitments in ASEAN free trade agreements of which Vietnam is a member” is not only a forum for information exchange, but also a call to action for Vietnamese enterprises to be proactive, understand the rules of the game, take advantage of incentives and improve competitiveness. With the support of State agencies and industry associations, enterprises can turn FTA commitments into practical advantages in their export strategies and regional integration.

In recent times, Hai Phong City has maintained and expanded trade activities with ASEAN countries. In the two years 2024 - 2025, the value of Hai Phong's export turnover to the ASEAN region accounts for about 10 - 12% of the city's total export turnover, with an average growth of 16%. The main export items of Hai Phong enterprises to the ASEAN market include textiles; footwear; electronic products and electronic components; machinery, equipment and spare parts.

Source: https://socongthuong.haiphong.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/hai-phong-ho-tro-doanh-nghiep-tan-dung-hieu-qua-trong-fta-asean-795383