European Parliament urges acceleration of signing of EVFTA
Many members of the European Parliament have urged acceleration of the completion of documents and relevant procedures for the signing and ratification of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU (EVFTA).
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnam Mission to the EU Vuong Thua Phong speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Brussels (VNA) – Many members of the European Parliament have urged acceleration of the completion of documents and relevant proceduresfor the signing and ratification of the Free Trade Agreement between Viet🦂nam and the EU(EVFTA).
At ameeting held by the EP’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) in Brussels onFebruary 20 to review the progress of the EVFTA, the participants lauded the role of the EVFTA for both Vietnamand the EU. Speakingat the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnam Missionto the EU Vuong Thua Phong providedinformation on Vietnam’s efforts in economic reform and stepping up regionaland international integration, affirming that the country has always valued itsrelations with the EU. Vietnam – EU tradeturnover hit a new height in 2017 at nearly 52 billion USD. The EU is now oneof the top five foreign investors and also the largest non-Asian investor inVietnam with 2,000 projects worth 22 billion USD. Voicing his hopefor the early ratification and implementation of the EVFTA, the Vietnamesediplomat said that the trade agreement will open up more chances in trade andinvestment, helping the two sides to promote their strengths and serving as animportant preparation for an FTA between the EU and ASEAN in the future. Vietnam will continueto work hard on issues of EU concerns related to the amendment of the country’sLabour Law and participation in some conventions of the International LabourOrganisation, and the combination of trade and sustainable development. The European Commissionis expected to work with Vietnam to complete documents of the EVFTA before theend of March for official submission to the European Council. The agreementwill be submitted to the European Parliament for ratification in the last sixmonths of 2018.-VNA
Vietnam and the European Union are working to finalize legal and language – related issues for the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) towards the official signing and ratification of the trade deal next year
The European Trade Policy and Investment Support Project (EU-MUTRAP) has helped Vietnam further integrate into the global and regional trading systems while promoting Vietnam-EU trade and investment relations, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Hoang Quoc Vuong.
As 2018 brings newer and bigger FTAs, Vietnamese enterprises are faced with tough choices. They can either adapt and move up the global supply chain, or stand by while imported goods flood the country’s market.
Portugal backs the early signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Augusto Santos Silva told Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue during their meeting in Lisbon.
Outcomes of ABAC III will shape ABAC’s final policy recommendations to be submitted to the ABAC-APEC leaders’ dialogue, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea this November.
This is the second year the magazine has released the ranking, which is based on total revenue and key financial indicators of enterprises from seven countries in the region: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
At the summit, publishing, tech, and media sectors will discuss emerging trends, business models, and sustainable solutions for digital publishing development in Vietnam.
This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22.
According to NordCham Vietnam Chairman Thue Quist Thomasen, the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses to contribute to green and sustainable growth.
The analysis from an investment perspective shows that the economy’s growth has been heavily capital‑driven, yet efficiency remains low as reflected by Vietnam’s Incremental Capital-Output Ratio (ICOR) being significantly higher than global and regional averages. This underscores the imperative to enhance capital‑use efficiency.
Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha urged countries to work together to remove supply chain bottlenecks, expand market access, strengthen cooperation in smart customs procedures, mutually recognise technical standards, and eliminate unnecessary protectionist barriers to boost trade and investment.
The event has gathered over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and territories, with more than 980 booths showcasing a wide range of products and technologies in automotive components, electronics, repair and maintenance, bodywork, accessories, and customisation.
The latest order follows Vietjet’s commitment for 20 additional A330neo aircraft last month, bringing the airline’s total widebody aircraft on order to 40.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang acknowledged the target represents an important milestone for socio-economic development as well as a demonstration of the country’s aspiration for robust economic growth.
The price of E5 RON92 petrol is now capped at 20,631 VND (0.79 USD) per litre, up 1,169 VND from the previous adjustment, while RON95-III costs no more than 21,244 VND per litre, up 1,277 VND.
While German consumers are familiar with Vietnamese products such as coffee, seafood, tea, and spices, many other quality items remain relatively unknown in the market. The Selgros event not only helped introduce Bac Giang lychee to German consumers but also provided them with the opportunity to experience other Vietnamese agricultural products.
The article by Cuba’s Inter Press Service detailed how Vietnamese private enterprise Agri VMA leased 1,000 ha of land in Los Palacios district, Cuba’s westernmost province of Pinar del Río, for rice cultivation over a three-year period. The project’s first harvest in 2025 recorded an impressive yield of 7.2 tonnes per hectare, far exceeding the local average of 1.6 tonnes.
During the visit, office representatives held a working session with the Tipaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry and met with several prominent local businesses operating in key sectors including industry, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics.
A Nordic delegation to Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in September will feature leading names in retail, consumer goods, logistics, and sustainable manufacturing, including global fashion giant H&M, offering fresh prospects for partnerships in fashion, textiles, and green supply chains.
With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,276 VND/USD and the floor rate 23,774 VND/USD.
Effective from the date of signing on June 18, the decision halts procedures outlined in the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Vietnam and Laos on the initial implementation of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement at the Lao Bao–Densavan border gate.
The event aimed to update businesses on new regulations and compliance requirements regarding US tax, trade, and customs policies, while offering practical solutions to facilitate exports amid shifting trade dynamics.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Head of the Vietnam Mission to the EU Vuong Thua Phong speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
