Seminar on leveraging FTAs, including the EVFTA, in the footwear and leather industry in Hai Phong.

(Haiphong.gov.vn) - The Department of Industry and Trade of Hai Phong City, in coordination with the Multilateral Trade Policy Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade , recently organized a " Seminar for direct exchange with leaders of businesses in provinces and cities on the ecosystem for utilizing FTAs, including the EVFTA Agreement, in the footwear sector in Hai Phong ".

Attending the seminar were Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of the City's Department of Industry and Trade; representatives from the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade; leaders of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association; city departments and agencies; associations, businesses, and experts in the leather and footwear industry.

In his opening remarks at the seminar, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hai Phong City, Nguyen Cong Han, emphasized that Hai Phong's leather and footwear industry is one of the traditional industries identified as a key product group, with an average annual growth rate of 10% - 15%. Hai Phong was once considered the capital of the footwear industry, always pioneering and leading the country in the development of the leather and footwear industry, as well as attracting FDI investment with footwear and product manufacturing complexes re-established with foreign investment...

According to the Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Hai Phong City, the main export markets for footwear from Hai Phong are currently Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Statistics from the Hai Phong Department of Industry and Trade's work in issuing preferential certificates of origin show that in the first eight months of 2024, the total export value of footwear to FTA markets by businesses in the city and some neighboring provinces increased by 8% compared to the same period. In addition, some markets experienced growth rates exceeding 10%, such as Europe (13%), South Korea (13%), ASEAN (17%), and Hong Kong (27%). However, the footwear industry still faces many difficulties and limitations. Therefore, this seminar will serve as a foundation for building a sustainable ecosystem for the footwear industry, effectively utilizing the FTAs currently in effect and those that will be implemented in the future.

This is also an opportunity for representatives of central and local government agencies, the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association, and leaders of businesses/organizations operating in the leather and footwear sector to share insights on the main existing problems of the leather and footwear industry; the objectives, connection methods, roles, benefits of participating parties, and the operation of the ecosystem supporting businesses in leveraging FTAs (hereinafter referred to as the FTA Leverage Ecosystem); participation criteria, difficulties in building the FTA Leverage Ecosystem; the roadmap and steps for building the FTA Leverage Ecosystem.../.

Source: https://haiphong.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/toa-dam-ve-he-sinh-thai-tan-dung-cac-fta-trong-do-co-hiep-dinh-evfta-trong-linh-vuc-da-giay-tai--705238