Cooperation in Import-Export Support

2:20:28 PM | 4/26/2019

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has been working closely with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) to support exporters with many meaningful activities such as collecting business opinions to improve the business environment, promoting administrative reform, organizing export promotion activities and registering tax incentives.

VCCI and MOIT have organized many forums, dialogues and meetings for businesses and employers with policymakers, with employee representatives and with other relevant domestic and international organizations to exchange information and opinions on business-related issues and business environment. In addition, the two sides carried out necessary activities to protect the legitimate rights and interests of companies and employers in domestic and international business relations.

The two agencies have also built, promoted and enhanced the reputation of Vietnamese businesses, entrepreneurs, goods and services; enhanced business development support services; assisted businesses to develop domestic and international business and investment relations by matching and recommending customers, providing information, guidance and advice for businesses, researchers, market surveyors, seminars, conferences, trade fairs, exhibitions, advertising and other activities.

With the common goal of supporting business integration, VCCI and MOIT have organized many training courses on human resources development for businesses, and knowledge and capacity building for entrepreneurs. They’ve also assisted companies to register and protect their intellectual property rights and technology transfer in Vietnam and abroad; issued certificates of origin for Vietnamese exports and other necessary business certificates; and confirmed force majeure cases.

Recently, MOIT transferred Registered Exporter System (REX system) to VCCI. The REX system helps exporters save costs while promoting responsibility for exports and facilitating trade to the EU market for exporters. The Generalized System of Preference (GSP) is a unilateral incentive mechanism for developing and underdeveloped countries in trade relations with major economies. In the past years, the EU has spared this mechanism for Vietnam's exports, including footwear, apparels and plastic. Vietnamese businesses have also made good use of this system to expand the EU market. MOIT has announced and requested traders to contact VCCI for REX instructions and registration.

VCCI has established cooperation with more than 120 chambers of commerce and trade promotion agencies worldwide. By utilizing this network, VCCI has actively and effectively supported businesses in expanding export markets and forging investment and business cooperation.

VCCI and MOIT have also built and developed business forums and business councils between Vietnam and key markets such as the U.S., the EU, Japan, China and the Middle East, Africa, Russia, South Korea and Latin America. Business Forums and business councils have contributed to strengthening cooperation expansion between Vietnamese business community and foreign business communities in many fields.

In particular, MOIT and VCCI play a pivotal role in studying and advising Government-led negotiations of important international trade agreements such as Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, agreements in the framework of Doha Round, and bilateral trade agreements with the EU and South Korea. The research project on improving Vietnam and ASEAN business environment also put forth various proposals for Vietnam's effective participation in the ASEAN Economic Community.

Besides, VCCI has been gathering and studying business opinions to recommend and advise the government on legal, social and economic affairs and policies for a better business environment. Business surveys showed that MOIT has endeavored to reform administrative procedures, and eradicated unnecessary business procedures and conditions to clear hardships against enterprises. However, as a multidisciplinary ministry which has a strong influence on production activities, business procedures and conditions under its jurisdiction are many. VCCI has proposed that MOIT should continue administrative reform and further reduce procedures, including abolishing some business conditions for gas, rice, alcohol and logistics services.

Huong Giang