Lead Agencies Appointed to Enforce EVFTA

The Prime Minister recently enacted a decision on designation of lead agencies to carry out the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The decision lists designated lead agencies responsible for EVFTA chapters. Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for Chapter 1 - Objectives and general definitions; Chapter 3 - Trade remedies; Chapter 7 - Non-tariff barriers to trade and investment in renewable energy generation; Chapter 10 - Competition policy; and others.

For Chapter 2 - National treatment and market access for goods, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for general provisions, and import and export management; the Ministry of Finance is in charge of contents of tariffs; and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is liable for agriculture-related issues.

The Ministry of Finance (General Department of Customs) is in charge of Chapter 4 - Customs and trade facilitation. The Ministry of Science and Technology presides over Chapter 5 - Technical barriers to trade. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development leads Chapter 6 - Sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

Regarding the list of designated agencies responsible for receiving and exchanging information and communications, the Ministry of Finance (the General Department of Customs) is answerable for Chapter 4 - Customs and trade facilitation; the Ministry of Science and Technology (Vietnam TBT Office) is in charge of Chapter 5 - Technical barriers to trade. For Chapter 12 - Intellectual property, lead agencies include the Ministry of Science and Technology (for contents concerning industrial property); the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (for contents with respect to copyright and related rights); and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (concerns regarding plant varieties).

In addition, the decision has a list of designated agencies in the EVFTA Committees and Working Groups.

In the course of executing the agreement, in case of adjustments to match the actual reality, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible to lead and work with general agencies and report such issues to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

Source: Vietnam Business Forum