President addresses first plenum of APEC Economic leaders’ meeting
APEC economies need to double their efforts to realise the Bogor Goals on trade and investment liberalisation in Asia-Pacific by 2020 in line with its roadmap, stated President Tran Dai Quang.
President Tran Dai Quang (second row, first right) and other leaders of APEC member states (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –🌠 APEC economies need to double their efforts to realise the Bogor Goals on trade and investment liberalisation in Asia-Pacific by 2020 in line with its roadmap, stated President Tran Dai Quang at the first plenum of the APEC Economic leader’s meeting 2016 in Lima, Peru, on November 20.
He said Vietnam endorses the bloc’s 2016-2025 roadmap on improving competitiveness in services regarding different development levels among APEC member states.
The Vietnamese President suggested APEC continue reinforcing the multilateral trade system, particularly the early implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and commitments to resisting protectionism.
Based on new trends, APEC should devise more cooperation initiatives and improve existing cooperation mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, Quang proposed.
He added that regional cooperation should be comprehensive and balanced among these mechanisms towards establishing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.
He recommended APEC member economies focus on implementing new agenda on structural reform, quality growth, human resources and infrastructure development.
He affirmed that Vietnam, on its way to building a constructive government, will accelerate structural reforms, enhance local competitiveness and improve the business climate to facilitate innovation.
President Quang stressed that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) require more assistance, particularly in boosting their capacity to access different markets, finance and technology as well as to join global supply chains.
Vietnam supports women-led and green MSMEs, he stated.
He said that ASEAN is actively realising the AEC Blueprint 2025 with a focus on facilitating free trade that matches APEC cooperation.
As a dynamic economy with a high level of openness, making it the destination for many multinational corporations, Vietnam is becoming ever more connected with the two sides of the Pacific through different partnerships, the ASEAN Community and a network of 16 free trade agreements with 59 partners, including 18 APEC members, he said.
This has helped Vietnam contribute to boosting regional connectivity and fulfilling its APEC commitments, Quang noted.
At the session, most participating countries noted the slow recovery of the global economy, agreeing to boost multilateral cooperation, free trade and MSMEs’ operations.-VNA
Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang had a busy day on November 19 (local time) hosting leaders of countries on the sidelines of the 24 th High-level Week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Leaders of 12 member states of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) have agreed to step up efforts to implement the free trade agreement as US President-elect Donald Trump has opposed the deal.
President Tran Dai Quang and Japanese Prime Minister ShinzoAbe have agreed that the two countries’ relationship has grown robustly acrossthe board and it should be further expanded.
Hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year in 2017 is the centre of Vietnam’s external activities, demonstrating the country’s desire to contribute to APEC and regional development.
The new Government decree also simplifies loan procedures while expanding credit incentives to include organic and circular agriculture, allowing them to access preferential terms similar to those of high-tech and value-chain based agricultural production.
Developed with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Da Nang FTZ is designed to become a leading regional economic centre and a strategic growth pole in Vietnam’s new development landscape.
The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
President Tran Dai Quang (second row, first right) and other leaders of APEC member states (Photo: VNA)
