Vietnamese enterprises always have the advantage of "homefield" in the competition from FTA

VCN- In 2020, the implementation of free trade agreements (FTAs) has achieved many positive results, although the domestic economy still faces many challenges. Talking to a reporter of the Customs Newspaper, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang (photo), Director of the Centre for WTO and Integration, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said that State agencies still have a lot of work. To effectively implement the FTA, businesses must also make their own efforts to improve their competitiveness with certainty so as not to lose on "homefield".
UKVFTA opens the door to export goods to the UK UKVFTA opens the door to export goods to the UK
Businesses to save VND3,500 billion in taxes each year thanks to the UKVFTA Businesses to save VND3,500 billion in taxes each year thanks to the UKVFTA
Textiles go “straight ahead” into EU thanks to accumulation of origin with South Korea? Textiles go “straight ahead” into EU thanks to accumulation of origin with South Korea?
2325-0406-5-0656-5926-3-3604-101512-ms-trang-vcci
Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Director, Centre for WTO and Integration, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

In 2020, under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, what are the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of FTAs ​​?

Perhaps never before has international trade faced such great challenges as in 2020. While the trend of trade protectionism from 2018-2019 continued to escalate, the Covid-19 pandemic broke out and spread out of control, disrupting both production chains and global trade flows at the same time. As an open economy, with the import-export ratio twice GDP, Vietnam is greatly affected by this difficult context.

However, in such circumstances, Vietnam's export and import results in the first 11 months of 2020 can be seen as very positive. The value of exported goods reached US$254.97 billion, up 5.5%, while import turnover was US$ 234.91 billion, up by 1.7%, resulting in a trade surplus of more thanUS$ 20 billion - the largest ever.

Clearly, there is no doubt about the benefits of FTAs ​​with preferential tariff opportunities for Vietnam's exports and imports with FTA partners, increasing opportunities for price competition for these goods. In addition, there has been a reduction of unreasonable non-tariff barriers, more unity and transparency in procedures, facilitating trade flows.

However, the challenges in taking advantage of opportunities from FTAs ​​are also many, of which the limitations in the ability to increase the localisation rate to meet the FTA preferential rules of origin and the capacity to satisfy meeting strict technical barriers, food hygiene and safety from FTA partners. However, these are challenges in themselves, not because anew FTA arises or because the FTA is more serious or severe.

How do you evaluate the work of improving understanding to take advantage of FTAs ​​of the regulator and the business community in 2020?

If we have to talk about the most prominent point in efforts to increase the effectiveness of the implementation of FTAs ​​by 2020, it is the communication of commitments to businesses. Specifically, there is the dissemination of communication about FTAs between Vietnam and the European Union (EVFTA) - the largest new generation FTA to take effect in 2020. According to our observations at VCCI, there is no FTA but ministries, branches and business associations have many communication activities, in various forms (seminars, training courses, live or online, TV reports, topics on press), with such more in-depth topics.

According to a recent VCCI survey, the percentage of enterprises that know relatively or well about EVFTA commitments related to their business activities is 30%, the highest among FTAs ​​(while EVFTA has just recently in effect, while other FTAs ​​will be valid for at least oneyear, more than 10 years or more).

In your opinion, how have State agencies' activities to support FTA implementation have changed and should continue to change?

In my opinion, three important issues that businesses expect from State agencies in the implementation of FTA are: Quickly issue legal documents guiding the implementation of commitments; organise the implementation of commitments in practice and flexibly overcome arising shortcomings; disseminating and propagating commitments so businesses can understand and apply. Further are activities to support enterprises to improve their competitiveness and the business investment environment, and reform the administration to reduce costs and create the best conditions for businesses to feel secure in business.

For the EVFTA in particular and FTAs ​​to be implemented in 2020 in general, State agencies' direct support activities related to FTAs have been relatively improved compared to the past. For example, with the CPTPP, enterprises have to wait 6-7 months to get special preferential import and export tariff under the agreement, with the EVFTA, this is only twomonths. Or with the CPTPP, the problems of the rules of origin are solved relatively in time, but with the EVFTA, the processing speed and resolution have been significantly faster.

However, many businesses have not taken advantage of the opportunity because they have not received the necessary support, so State agencies must offermore effective support.

Are concerns that Vietnamese enterprises may "lose at home" with FTAs ​​valid?

Considering strictly, with the FTAs ​​already in effect, the possibility of enterprises "losing at home" is not great. The reason is that even inthe ATIGA - FTA between ASEAN countries, which has completed its opening schedule in 2018, businesses can compete fairly, not as much as we worry. With the ACFTA - FTA between ASEAN and China, or VKFTA - FTA between Vietnam and South Korea, although we face difficulties in the early stage, we can still keep a certain market share in the domestic market. As for other FTAs, such as the EVFTA with EU, VCFTA with Chilethe complementary commodity structure between Vietnam and its partner also helps to reduce this risk.

However, coming here with RCEP - Regional Comprehensive Partnership Agreement between ASEAN and fivepartner countries, including China, the situation may be different, the risk of "losing at home" seems more complex. RCEP creates an additional priority route for these countries' goods to penetrate the Vietnamese market, but most of the goods from these countries are similar to Vietnam, directly competing with Vietnamese goods. But there are reasons we should not be too pessimistic. For example, the level of openness in Vietnam's RCEP to partners is much lower than the existing FTAs ​​. Like the import, most of them are intermediate goods, for export production, not for domestic consumption.

However, face-to-face competition from RCEP and previous FTAs ​​ is inevitable. Enterprises of course have no other way but to increase their efforts to improve competitiveness, make the most of FTA commitments to have reasonable inputs. I believe domestic enterprises always have a “home field” advantage in this competition. The remaining issue is the actions of businesses to exploit this advantage and make efforts to increase their competitiveness in a sure and sustainable way.

By Huong Diu/ HuuTuc

Related News

Quang Ninh Customs: Innovation in developing Customs-Business partnership

Quang Ninh Customs: Innovation in developing Customs-Business partnership

VCN - Quang Ninh Customs Department is determined to improve the quality of Customs-Business partnership, with practical actions in supporting and accompanying businesses.
Digital transformation in Customs sector is a revolution

Digital transformation in Customs sector is a revolution

VCN - This content was emphasized by Deputy Director General Tran Duc Hung at the Workshop introducing the requirements of technical process serving the construction of the Information Technology (IT) System to implement Digital Customs organized by the General Department of Customs on October 24, 2024.
An Giang Customs announces businesses with tax arrears

An Giang Customs announces businesses with tax arrears

VCN - An Giang Customs Department has just announced 25 businesses with tax arrears worth over VND6.2 billion.
Businesses get a fair hearing under Customs

Businesses get a fair hearing under Customs' new 'three no' rule

VCN - The General Department of Vietnam Customs requires units to implement the 3 no principles: "don't say no, don't say difficult, and don't say yes but don't do it" when businesses have recommendations and proposals.

Latest News

Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

VCN - Tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, tuna businesses are worried, they may have to stop export orders to the Israeli market in the last months of the year.
Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam continues to assert its dominance as the top rice exporter to the Philippines, with 2.91 million tonnes shipped as of the late October, or over 79% of the Philippines' total rice imports, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines.
Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

By boosting cooperation with reputable partners across the globe, Vietnam is taking steps to gain a foothold in the world’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.
Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports is expected to surge in the remaining months of this year, as the year-end festive season comes, despite many challenges in the international markets, according to insiders.

More News

Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

VCN - From losses and near bankruptcy, many domestic enterprises have recovered thanks to timely application of trade defense measures. Trade defense is also an effective shield for Vietnamese enterprises against a series of lawsuits from importing countries, thereby maintaining advantages and developing on "away grounds".
Lao Cai Customs sees a triple-digit surge in export-import turnover

Lao Cai Customs sees a triple-digit surge in export-import turnover

VCN - Updated from the beginning of the year to October 24, total import and export turnover through Lao Cai Customs Department increased by 102%.
Coconut is expected to become a billion-dollar export item

Coconut is expected to become a billion-dollar export item

VCN - Talking to the press at the ceremony to launch the first train carrying fresh coconuts to China, Mr. Luu Van Phi, Director of the Department of Industry and Trade of Tien Giang province, said that Vietnam's agricultural export potential, especially fresh coconuts, is expanding with the appearance of international railway transportation from Song Than station.
Plastic exporters interested in converting to recycling technology

Plastic exporters interested in converting to recycling technology

VCN - The Vietnamese plastics industry is facing major challenges in terms of plastic waste and recycling needs. Secretary General of the Vietnam Plastics Association Huynh Thi My (pictured) shared important information about the transformation in production of plastics enterprises to meet increasing export demands.
Logistics sector must embrace innovative trends to stay competitive

Logistics sector must embrace innovative trends to stay competitive

The Vietnamese logistics industry must adapt to new trends and enhance infrastructure to remain globally competitive, speakers said at an event in Ho Chi Minh City on October 31.
Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports likely to set new record

Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports likely to set new record

Vietnam’s agro-forestry-aquatic product exports are likely to achieve a record high of 62 billion USD in 2024, said Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien.
UKVFTA greatly benefits Vietnam-UK trade: Experts

UKVFTA greatly benefits Vietnam-UK trade: Experts

The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), signed into law three years ago, has clearly benefited trade cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the context of Vietnam’s exports to most other major markets declining due to geopolitical tensions and headwinds in the global economy, said experts at a conference in Hanoi on October 30.
Agricultural exports likely to exceed 60 billion USD amid challenges

Agricultural exports likely to exceed 60 billion USD amid challenges

With swift production recovery and continued growth, Vietnam's agricultural sector could potentially surpass the 60 billion USD export target, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Vietnam-Philippines trade likely to exceed 8 billion USD for first time

Vietnam-Philippines trade likely to exceed 8 billion USD for first time

With the current rising trend, trade between Vietnam and the Philippines is likely to exceed 8 billion USD for the first time to hit about 8.5 billion USD in 2024, with Vietnam’s surplus of more than 3 billion USD, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Philippines.
Read More

Your care

Latest Most read
Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

Many factors affecting tuna exports in the last months of the year

VCN - In recent years, Israel has always been Vietnam's leading tuna export market after the US and the EU. Therefore, the recent escalation of Israel-Iran tensions is affecting Vietnam's tuna exports to this market.
Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam still dominates Philippine rice import

Vietnam continues to assert its dominance as the top rice exporter to the Philippines, with 2.91 million tonnes shipped as of the late October, or over 79% of the Philippines' total rice imports, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in the Philippines.
Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

Vietnam cements ties with partners to engage in global semiconductor, AI industries

By boosting cooperation with reputable partners across the globe, Vietnam is taking steps to gain a foothold in the world’s semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.
Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports expected to rise in year-end despite challenges

Aquatic exports is expected to surge in the remaining months of this year, as the year-end festive season comes, despite many challenges in the international markets, according to insiders.
Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

Trade Defense: The Key to Success for Vietnamese Businesses

VCN - From losses and near bankruptcy, many domestic enterprises have recovered thanks to timely application of trade defense measures. Trade defense is also an effective shield for Vietnamese enterprises against a series of lawsuits from importing countr
Mobile Version