Seminar held to evaluate mid-term implementation of EU-MUTRAP

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) co-ordinated with the European Union (EU) to organised a seminar on June 25 to present mid-term implementation results of the European Trade Policy and Investment Support project (EU-MUTRAP).

Seminar held to evaluate mid-term implementation of EU-MUTRAP

The event aims to evaluate the advantages and limitations of project implementation after a half term, and collect recommendations on better fulfilling the remaining content of the project.

Speaking at the workshop, head of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the MOIT and EU-MUTRAP project director, Bui Huy Son, said that since the project was launched in late 2012, the Project Management Committee and implementing agencies have collaborated to publish 20 reports, issue 20 publications and organise over 130 conferences on related issues under the project.

The most outstanding result of the project is the improved policy framework for trade and investment in Vietnam, reflected through a series of reports supporting the construction of legal documents under the MOIT and other related ministries, as well as strengthened trade co-operation between Vietnam and the EU and other partners to support the country in international integration, including integration with ASEAN. The project has also deployed six sub-projects directly financed by the European Commission.

Wengou Cai, head of the evaluation team, added that among the project’s achievements were the listing of white asbestos on the list of banned substances under the Rotterdam Convention, Phu Quoc fish sauce recognision as an appellation of origin product in Europe, and contributions to trade-related capacity building through research and seminars.

However, weaknesses in the implementation of the project included modest contributions to negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and Europe, lack of funding and supervising for sub-projects, and weak exchanges of information between stakeholders.

Senior project specialist, Fracessco Abbate, made recommendations on how to better project implementation in the next three years, focusing on tightening criteria for the selection of project beneficiaries, strengthening activities in the business community and improving the diversification of implementation methods. The project should include the FTA’s content in its activities, while supporting the business sector to prepare for the impact of the FTA between Vietnam and the EU.

The EU-MUTRAP is under the management of the MOIT with total capital of EUR16.5 million, including EUR15 million from the EU and EUR1.5 million contributed by the government of Vietnam and the beneficiaries.

The project targets to support Vietnam to integrate further in the global trading system and regional co-operation, enhancing trade and investment relations between Vietnam and the EU, and maximising benefits of economic development, including comprehensive economic growth and poverty reduction. It also aims to assist the MOIT in facilitating international trade and investment through strengthening policy formulation, negotiating policy advice and implementing commitments, especial in relations with the EU.

The expected results of the project are strengthened trade relations and investment between the EU and Vietnam through enhanced dialogue and co-operation, and the negotiation and implementation of a future EU-Vietnam FTA; improved institutional capacity for the negotiation and implementation of multilateral, regional and sub-regional trade commitments; and enhanced policy frameworks on investment, focusing on environmental and social issues in trade and investment related policies and legislation.

In addition, improving access to information, regulations and market opportunities relative to Vietnam’s international trade and investment commitments with increased stakeholder participation in the trade and investment policy development process, is also another of the EU-MUTRAP’s projected result.