On August 27, 2022, in Quang Ninh, Foreign Trade University held a scientific seminar with the theme: “Improving the adaptive capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in the context of implementing WTO commitments and new generation free trade agreement”. This is an activity within the framework of the WTO Chairs Program – Phase 3 (2022-2026) in which Foreign Trade University is the only Vietnamese educational institution selected to participate. Attending the seminar on the side of Foreign Trade University were Assoc. Trinh Thi Thu Huong – Director of the WTO Chairs Program Project, Foreign Trade University. On the side of the guests, the seminar was attended by Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung – Deputy Director of Department of Planning and Investment, Quang Ninh province, Mr. Le Quang Dong – Head of Import-Export Management Department, Department of Industry and Trade, Quang Ninh province. Ninh and Mr. Nguyen Ba Son – Deputy General Director of Cai Lan International Container Port Company Limited. In addition, the workshop was also attended by about 60 interested lecturers, students and trainees.
In the context that Vietnam is actively participating more and more deeply in the process of economic integration, not only within the framework of multilateral institutions such as the WTO but also other bilateral and regional institutions, especially among These are new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) such as EVFTA, CPTPP, Workshop “Improving adaptive capacity of Vietnamese enterprises in the context of implementing WTO commitments and free trade agreements”. new generation” is a forum for managers, experts, scholars and researchers to exchange ideas and share experiences in order to contribute to improving the adaptive capacity of Vietnamese enterprises themselves. such as promoting internal resources, improving its position in the global value chain, actively and flexibly applying Vietnam’s commitments under the WTO and new-generation FTAs, exploiting integration opportunities, taking full advantage of long-term benefits and towards sustainable development.
Attracting the attention of a large number of stakeholders including state management agencies, associations, businesses, universities and research institutions, the seminar received 30 articles, of which 21 was selected for inclusion in the Conference Proceedings and 6 papers were presented at the Conference. In the opening speech of the seminar, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Huong focused on analyzing the role of training and research institutions (universities) in linking industry actors and housing management agencies. country (public sector) based on linking the common knowledge base of human resources, social capital, the diffusion of new knowledge, the basis of dialogue and policy criticism, and propose some specific recommendations. possible to strengthen the aforementioned binding role.
Presentation on “The reality of implementation and application of free trade agreements: Preliminary report of survey results” by the representative of the Research Subcommittee, WTO Chairs Program, Foreign Trade University announced the results preliminary survey of enterprises and state management agencies on the actual implementation and application of Vietnam’s commitments in the WTO and new-generation FTAs, focusing on assessing enterprises’ understanding of FTAs, assessment of enterprises on the implementation of FTAs, the reality of import and export activities of enterprises with FTA participating countries, the impact of FTAs on enterprises in economic recovery in the post-Covid-19 period, the future business and business expectations and factors affecting preferential use from FTAs.
Following the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung – Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and Investment, Quang Ninh province presented some positive and negative impacts of the implementation of the new-generation WTO and FTA commitments on businesses. businesses in Quang Ninh, emphasizing the measures implemented by the province and solutions to improve the competitiveness of local businesses.
Presentation on “Needs for training to raise awareness and expertise on international trade and investment issues: Preliminary report on survey results” by Subcommittee on Program Development, WTO Chairs Program, University Foreign Trade has made a number of proposals on the design of a short course providing knowledge on trade and investment, strengthening cooperation among stakeholders to make the best use of Vietnam’s commitments.
From the perspective of businesses, Mr. Nguyen Ba Son – Cai Lan International Container Terminal Co., Ltd – mentioned the risks that businesses in Quang Ninh have to face in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, policies to support of the province to help businesses minimize those impacts and some policy recommendations for Quang Ninh’s current logistics activities.
In the closing speech of the Workshop, Mr. Le Quang Dong – Import and Export Management Department, Department of Industry and Trade, Quang Ninh province – gave an overview of the import and export activities of enterprises in Quang Ninh province in practice. implementing FTA commitments and analyzing some difficulties and obstacles; on that basis, solutions to promote import and export activities of the province are mentioned.
Some key moments of the conference are showed below:
