Trade integration pressures businesses

HCM CITY — Business associations need to improve their capacity to consult government and advise their members, as international markets become more engaged in Viet Nam, according to EU Ambassador Sean Doyle.

"Some Vietnamese business associations are still lacking the means to provide advice on European trade rules and policies and to inform their members about the implications of trade integration," Doyle told a seminar on in HCM City yesterday.

At the seminar, the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) introduced its trade policy capacity-building programme, which aims to increase Vietnamese business associations’ capacities as consultation partners for government and improve their function to advise association members on EU related trade issues.

"The implementation and application of WTO commitments and bilateral trade agreements is not only demanding for the government but also for the business associations as their members engage further in cross-border trade," Alain Cany, EuroCham’s chairman said.

Eight associations selected as official partners of EuroCham in the programme include the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporter and Producers (VASEP), the Viet Nam Leather and Footwear Association (LEFASO), the Viet Nam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in HCM City.

Seminars will be conducted in HCM City, Ha Noi, Da Nang, Can Tho and Hai Phong over the two-year programme on relevant European trade rules and policies by experts from Europe.

Doyle said he hoped the programme would not only benefit the associations and members for smoother trade between Europe and Viet Nam but also equip governmental agencies’ capacity as well.

The organisers of the programme, which is part of the Mutual Trade Assistance Programme III (MUTRAP III), also aim to make recommendations to the Government to cut 30 per cent of administrative procedures by the end of 2010. — VNS