Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a seminar between morethan 90 Vietnamese ambassadors and consul generals, and representatives ofbusinesses in Hanoi on August 10 within the framework of the 30th DiplomaticConference.

Addressingthe event, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said the ministry’saction plan and directive have highlighted the important role by overseas Vietnameserepresentative offices in promoting trade, investment and labour cooperation aswell as international integration efforts by localities and businesses.

Theagencies should regularly provide updates on the market, trade protectionpolicies and technical barriers of foreign countries against Vietnamese goods,he said.

Overthe past time, the diplomatic sector has maintained and consolidated afavourable international environment for domestic enterprises to cooperate withforeign partners, the official added.

Accordingto the deputy minister, the sector has joined hands with ministries andagencies to establish strategic and comprehensive partnerships with 27partners, and sign 16 free trade agreements (FTAs), creating political,economic and legal premises for Vietnamese businesses to operate equally andbeneficially in the international market.

Manyrepresentative offices have assisted businesses to participate in and organisetrade, investment and tourism promotion activities abroad, and select foreignpartners, Son said.

Hepointed out a range of challenges facing Vietnamese firms, especially privateand small- and medium-sized ones, in the face of increasing protectionism andrisks caused by the trade war and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Besides,Vietnam is expected to join a total of 16 FTAs with 59 partners in the next fewyears, and will implement its commitments to open markets, thus offering a “matrix”of rules and incentives to businesses.

Giventhis, the ministry and representative offices are trying to deal difficultiesin operational network and personnel to meet diverse and complex demands ofbusinesses, Son noted.

Hesuggested the agencies and enterprises set up an information exchange mechanismand a coordination model to become trustworthy strategic partners of eachother.-VNA