Vietnam to step up negotiations on FTAs

At this year’s first meeting of the Intersectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration in Hanoi on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue reiterated that 2018 was of paramount importance for Vietnam’s roadmap to undertake its international economic integration commitments.

In his speech, the Deputy Prime Minister reviewed what Vietnam achieved in 2017, such as the 22nd anniversary of the country’s entry into ASEAN, and its successful hosting of the 2017 APEC Year.

He also called for closer co-ordination between relevant ministries and sectors in drafting viable plans for early conclusions on negotiations towards the signing of FTAs such as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) including the four countries of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, and Israel -Vietnam FTA.