European Union and Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade hold the second Project Steering Committee meeting of Arise Plus Programme

Thursday April 20, 2023

On 19 April 2023 in Hanoi. The European Union (EU) Delegation to Viet Nam and the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) co-chaired the second Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting of the programme on ASEAN Regional Integration Support by the EU (ARISE Plus) – Viet Nam Trade-Related Assistance (ARISE Plus Viet Nam). Distinguished participants included Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Giorgio Aliberti, EU Ambassador to Viet Nam, representatives of partner ministries, and the project’s implementing agencies.

Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade conveys his opening speech at the meeting (Photo: Hoàng Quyền)

Delivering his opening remarks, Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Vice-Minister of Industry and Trade applauded the EU’s trade-related support to Viet Nam’s government over the years, especially through the technical assistance providing for the successful European Trade Policy and Investment Support Project (EU–MUTRAP) and most recently, the ongoing ARISE Plus Viet Nam programme reflecting the EU’s longstanding and firm commitments to fostering a close and trusting partnership with Viet Nam in the context of the country’s increased integration into the global economy.

EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Giorgio Aliberti, co-chair of the second Project Steering Committee, addresses the meeting (Photo: Hoàng Quyền)

Also addressing the meeting, Mr. Giorgio Aliberti, EU Ambassador to Viet Nam expressed his appreciation to representatives of different government bodies for their contribution to the trade-related technical assistance programme. The inter-ministerial coordination and active engagement in the programme reaffirms the pivotal role of trade since many new-generation free trade agreements, including the EU – Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), cover cross-cutting areas and bring huge advantages to Viet Nam’s socio-economic development. He attached additionally great importance to the ARISE Plus Viet Nam Programme, referring to the EU’s unwavering support to Viet Nam for effective implementation of EVFTA.

Ms. Pham Quynh Mai, Deputy Director-General of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department under MOIT, representing the lead department for the project implementation,
exchanges comments and opinions of key beneficiaries about the programme activities (Photo: Hoàng Quyền)

On this occasion, meeting delegates also raised their common concerns over the feasibility of an extension of the joint programme, which is due for termination in November 2023. Due to unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, several activities under the programme have undergone a delay or amendments to their timeline and contents. The PSC assigned the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, on behalf of MOIT, to proceed to consult with relevant government bodies and the project’s stakeholders for follow-up actions.

The programme’s activities are grouped into four components, corresponding to the following four result areas: (1) Enhanced compliance of Viet Nam’s agri-food products with EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards; (2) Improved national quality infrastructure addressing Technical Barriers to Trade; (3) Increased volume of exports of Viet Nam products to the EU; and (4) Improved national framework to fully implement EVFTA./.