The International Trade Centre (ITC) will provide a blueprint for developing the country’s export competitiveness across priority sectors and cross-sectoral areas. To spur growth in sectors with high potential to deliver inclusive socioeconomic development, ITC’s recommendations will include detailed activities, reforms and impact measurement targets. The priority sectors and cross-cutting functions strategies will provide national and international development partners with a costed plan for trade-related support.
Priority sectors are selected based on their export potential and the contribution they make to employment and socio-economic development. They include electronics, environmental goods, wood and furniture, agribusiness, and textile and garment.
The five trade competitiveness functions are digital transformation, innovation and entrepreneurship, quality, standards and certifications, sustainability and inclusiveness, and trade facilitation. These functions offer critical support across the value chain and are essential for development. They also ensure a spill-over effect that goes beyond the priority sectors.
The workshop and consultations were organized under the SwissTrade Programme funded by SECO.
Quotes
"Export development is Vietnam’s driving force for a fast and sustainable economic growth. Setting clear goals within strategic frameworks will contribute to promote our country’s competitive advantages, strengthen Vietnam products in international markets, and enhance our position in the global trading system."
Nguyen Thuy Hien, The SwissTrade Project Director, Deputy Director of Planning Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam
"Finalizing the national export strategy will be a top priority, to be followed by the implementation of its recommendations for reforms to catalyze export-led growth and job creation in promising sectors."
Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Centre
"Switzerland's support is focused on promoting sustainability standards, de-carbonization/low-carbon production, digital trade promotion as well as compliance with the rules-based trade system. Adapting to those modern-day requirements is in the direct interest of Vietnam and will strengthen the country's international competitiveness and further integration in the global economy."
Nicole Wyrsch, Chargée d'Affaires, Embassy of Switzerland in Viet Nam
Background
The Viet Nam: Trade Policy and Promotion Project is a four-year (2020-2024), trade-related technical assistance project that improves the trade performance and international competitiveness of small businesses through favorable conditions for trade, public-private dialogue mechanisms, and a strengthened trade promotion ecosystem. Ultimately, it will contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction in the country.
Funded by SECO, ITC facilitates the updated national export strategy and developing a public-private dialogue platform for export development. Vietrade has been mandated to establish a Grants Fund for business support organizations to support exporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
About ITC
The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
