Center for WTO & International Trade (WITC)

Activity Summary Report in 2013 – WTO and International Trade Center – VCCI

01/07/2014    27

In 2013, businesses legal assistance activities of WTO and International Trade Center were carried out on 04 major areas: advocate international trade policy, support enterprises on trade remedies issues and provide information, advices, consultations on integration and other integration-related support, provide consultation, professional support on legal issues in integration for VCCI's Standing Committee and affiliates.

1. International trade policy advocacy

As a representative and an information hub guiding the businesses in international trade issues, especially free trade agreements under the Prime Minister's Decision 06/2012/QD-TTg, in 2014, WTO and International Trade Center (through INTAC) continued to be the biggest hub where businesses could find information and advice on the WTO and major FTAs that Vietnam is engaging with dozens of major policy recommendations on TPP, EVFTA, EFTA and other related advocacy activities... and 20 other reports/comments/recommendations on other important integration policy of Vietnam. 

2. Assisting businesses in issues relating to trade remedies 

The Center provides businesses with legal supports relating to trade integration, especially the use of anti-dumping, subsidy and safeguard lawsuit of Vietnam's goods in other countries. In 2013, WTO and International Trade Center provided 11 support packages (information, legal consultation) for Vietnam associations and businesses on antidumping investigations of Vietnam's goods in foreign markets and of imported goods in Vietnam.

3. Providing information, training, advice and other support on trade integration

This is considered the general integration-supporting activities of the WTO and Integration Center. The Center is currently the biggest reputable hub of information and advice on trade integration for associations and businesses with 04 websites (www.chongbanphagia.vn (Vietnamese)/www.antidumping.vn (English) and www.trungtamwto.vn (Vietnamese)/ www.wtocenter.vn (English) with a total of over 15 million visits and average of 20 articles posted daily16 integration-related news bulletins and 02 reference books for businesses; organized 06 conferences; conducted over 10 articles/interviews on integration disseminated on VTV1, VOV, Saigon Economics Times...;  provide hundreds of business consultations via phone, email ...

4. Provide specialized support and consultation on legal issues in integration for VCCI's Standing Committee and affiliates

This is a group of activities promoted in 2013 to implement the guidance of the VCCI's Chairman on strengthening advisory work, helping the VCCI leading boards on integration legal issues, as well as supporting the VCCI internal affairs on related issues. In 2013, the WTO and Integration Center carried out dozens of consultations for the VCCI Standing Committee on hot issues in integration, preparing professional content for meetings of VCCI leaders with partners on matters relating to trade negotiations as well as direct advice to the internal units of VCCI.