Center for WTO & International Trade (WITC)

Activity Summary Report in 2017 – WTO and Internation Trade Center – VCCI

22/02/2018    49

In 2017, to provide legal support for Vietnamese businesses in the process of international trade integration, the WTO and International Trade Center continues to carry out activities on the following five major areas.

1. Supporting businesses on Free Trade Agreements

As a representative and information hub guiding the businesses in international trade issues, especially free trade agreements (FTA) under the (i) Prime Minister's Decision 06/2012/QD-TTg, The Center continued to be the biggest information and consultation hub where businesses could find information and advice on the WTO and major FTAs that Vietnam is engaging. Notable activities included: 

  • Implementing 02 policy recommendations on TPP-CPTPP, including: "TPP scenarios after the US withdrew from TPP and action orientation for Vietnam", and "Proposing negotiation plan in preparation for TPP 11 negotiation round at APEC Da Nang ”;
  • Drafting 3 analysis and dissemination documents on EVFTA for businesses, including Summary of EVFTA in chapter, EVFTA Handbook for businesses, EVFTA Booklets Series and economic sectors; (iii) publish 04 publications on reviewing FTA commitments, including 04 Reports “Review of Vietnam legal framework against commitments under Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) / Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)" on Investment, Intellectual property, Specialized inspection on import and export goods, and Services Market Access for Foreign Investment;
  • Implementing 08 recommendations and comments on integration issues; organizing and presenting at 08 conferences on Free Trade Agreements.

2. Assisting businesses in issues relating to trade remedies and other international trade barriers

The Center supports businesses on legal issues relating to trade integration, especially the use of anti-dumping, subsidy and safeguard measures in VIetnam to protect domestic productions against imports. In 2017, WTO and Integration Center provided Vietnamese associations and businesses with support and information relating to 13 cases on anti-dumping investigations domestically and internationally.

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

Through activities on mass media, direct consultations with businesses and 03 web portals (on WTO-FTA integration, trade remedies and AEC), VCCI is currently an intensive and reputable hub of information and advice on trade integration. 03 web portals (6 versions) of the Center are the biggest hubs to provide associations and businesses with legal information in Vietnam, namely: 

  • The portal on trade agreements and policies with 02 versions:  www.trungtamwto.vn (Vietnamese)/ www.wtocenter.vn (English); 
  • The portal on trade remedies with 02 versions: www.chongbanphagia.vn (Vietnamese) www.antidumping.vn (English);
  • The portal on ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) with 02 versions: www.aecvcci.vn (Vietnamese) www.en.aecvcci.vn (English)

There have been more than 46 million visits with an average of 10 new articles posted daily; In 2017, the Center has also compiled and published 18 publications for businesses (04 research, 04 quarter newsletters, 12 handbook); conducted hundreds of business consultations via phone, email ...

4. Implementing Programs and Projects

This is a group of activities that are meaningful to businesses and associations in improving the process of participating in the building of international trade policies. These activities are supported by the State Budget to carry out the tasks assigned to the VCCI by the Government or actively sought by the WTO and Integration Center in order to utilize the resources from the donors to support business integration of VCCI.

In 2018, The Center conducted:

  • 02 programs financed by the State budget, including:
    • The program to carry out the tasks assigned in Decision 06/2012/QD-TTg on enhancing the participation of enterprises in the trade opening negotiations; 
    • The program to support Vietnamese businesses to take advantage of opportunities from FTAs
  • 04 projects financed by other sources: 
    • "Review of Vietnam legal framework against commitments under EVFTA/TPP" (in cooperation with British Embassy);
    • Study on policies recommendations to support the development of industries in the context of integration - 02 retailing and processing wood products for export" (in collaboration with the Asia Foundation and the Australian Embassy);
    • Research on supporting mechanisms for innovative start-ups (in collaboration with FNF);
    • Publications guiding businesses on EVFTA and implication for major economic sectors (in collaboration with the EU-MUTRAP project).

5. Consulting and providing professional support on legal issues in trade integration for the VCCI’s Standing Committee and affiliates

The WTO and International Trade Center have consulted the Standing Committee, Departments, Branches, and Representative Offices of VCCI on all matters relating to negotiation and implementation of commitments in WTO, FTAs and other international trade treaties.