The European Union will continue to support Vietnam's integration into the global trading and investment system via a new European Trade Policy and Investment Support project starting this year.

Franz Jessen, ambassador and head of the EU delegation to Vietnam , made the statement at the closing ceremony of the Multilateral Trade Assistance Project (MUTRAP) held in Hanoi on May 30.

MUTRAP is indeed one of the longest Trade Related Technical Assistance programmes we have had in Vietnam . Its key impacts are the country's adoption of laws that aligned with international trade regulations, helping its own economic development. MUTRAP has also created greater awareness among Vietnamese exporters on how to access the European market, Jessen said.

He added that they funded 35 million euros (43.6 million USD) in the project and will add 15 million euros (18.7 millionUSD ) to MUTRAP IV, bringing its total fund to 50 million euros (62.2 million USD).

Nguyen Thanh Bien, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade (MoIT), said after four years of operation, the project has implemented 70 technical assistance activities.

"The project has helped strengthen the capacity of designing legal frameworks and normative documents such as from designing Competition Law to sub-law documents, including decrees, decisions of the Prime Minister and continues to help Vietnam establish an appropriate legal framework according to its commitments in joining the WTO," Bien said.

He added that MUTRAP III also plays an important role in providing information and disseminating the results of international economic integration and Vietnam-EU trade, economic relationship for the business community and people.

Truong Dinh Tuyen, former Minister of Trade, said the project helped Vietnam build two important legal documents including the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights, from ideas to legal documents and two important development strategies: the export strategy from 2011 to 2020 with a vision to 2030 and the service development strategy from 2011 to 2020.

Tran Huu Huynh, Deputy General Secretary of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), added that support for design strategies and legal documents is one of the most important activities of the project.

Its purpose is to support the MoIT improve law quality related to Vietnam 's trade and make legal documents be consistent with international obligations. While Vietnam has been in the process of joining the international economy, these activities help it increase professionalism in trade and services as well as strengthen rights and benefits for local consumers.

In its 46 months of operation, the project has disseminated more than 30 publications in English and Vietnamese, some adopted as textbooks for some university courses, seven internet portals and websites.-VNA