(VEN) - As part of the 'EU-Vietnam MUTRAP III' project, funded by the EU and implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Enterprises and International Trade Policies Program of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) inaugurated an advisory committee on international trade policies and launched the www.trungtamwto.vn and www.wtocenter.vn websites - as sources of information about the WTO (World Trade Organization) and other forms of international integration. These initiatives are aimed at improving the sustainability of Vietnam's increasing international integration.
Major objectives of the Enterprises and International Trade Policies Program include increasing business involvement in policy development and international trade policy negotiations, and the blocking of commitments which would have a negative impact on businesses, industrial development and employees.
VCCI President Vu Tien Loc said that Vietnamese businesses have had opportunities to participate in domestic law and policy drafting, but currently no regulations or policies exist allowing them to provide international trade-related suggestions and or opinions to negotiators or negotiating agencies. This creates difficulties in businesses being able to take advantage of the opportunities brought about by international commitments, while presenting them with challenges due to a lack of information of new commitments. Agencies responsible for negotiations also lack practical information to use in devising appropriate negotiation positions, he said. The realization of international commitments especially WTO commitments over recent years show some consequences of this situation, Loc said.
While international integration increases, the Government of Vietnam's commitment to free trade agreement (FTA) and Doha round negotiations reveals the country's wish to join many more international conventions, making increasing business participation in the Government's international commitment negotiations vital.
Representatives from business associations and relevant agencies say that businesses still have very few opportunities to participate in policy drafting and international policy negotiation and implementation, and that the VCCI's establishment of an advisory committee on international trade policies and launching of www.trungtamwto.vn and www.wtocenter.vn have been warmly welcomed, as part of strengthening the relationship between the State and the business community, thereby contributing to improving the quality of international integration.
The advisory committee on international trade policies has 30 members that include representatives from business associations and experts from agencies which are in charge of international commitments. Initially, the advisory committee will assure that business opinions are taken into account by policy-makers and negotiating agencies and that the interests of relevant parties are taken into consideration and incorporated into international trade policy development, negotiations and implementation.
The committee will also create domestic unanimity in market opening-related negotiations, based on creating advantages for commitment realization, and providing businesses with information about negotiation trends to aid them in taking the initiative in developing policies, while protecting their interests in the context of international integration. The advisory committee will persuade the Government to construct an official policy on international trade-related consultancy between state authorities and businesses.
The websites www.trungtamwto.vn and www.wtocenter.vn are not only sources of information about the WTO and other forms of bilateral and multilateral cooperation but also an open, multifaceted forum on international trade policies, and an online address through which businesses can search timely, appropriate suggestions from international trade experts.
By Hung Cuong & Viet Anh
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