EU helps VN develop trade policies
VGP – The European Commission (EC) delegation to Việt Nam has just announced to provide Vietnamese corporation associations and universities with seven aid packages totally worth of €1.6 million to help them develop capacity and make trade policies.
|
|
|
Launching ceremony of phase 3 of the MUTRAP, Hà Nội, September 24, 2009 |
The aid is part of phase 3 of the Multilateral Trade Assistance Project (MUTRAP), initiated by the EC and the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The purpose of MUTRAP III is to help the Vietnamese Government to improve partnerships with business associations and draw growing participation of experts into future negotiations for trade agreements.
The beneficiaries of MUTRAP III include the Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Việt Nam Leather and Footwear Association (LEFASO), Hà Nội Foreign Trade University and the Hà Nội Law University.
The Việt Nam Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (VINASME) is also a partner in this phase. Accordingly, SMEs will be supported to grasp opportunities resulting from joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The two aforesaid universities will be provided with financial assistance to upgrade their capacity of trade policy training and research.
The Foreign Trade University suggested a new curriculum on trade policies taught in English and the establishment of a research center for international trade law.
The Hà Nội Law University, in its roadmap to attain EU university standards by 2012, said that it will organize courses to nurture professional experts who are able to take part in WTO trade talks.
The EC has pledged to offer €10 million to Việt Nam under MUTRAP III and €8 million in the first two phases.
By Hải Minh
