Opportunities and challenges for Vietnam’s exporters in accessing international markets, especially now that the country has entered into free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, were analysed at a workshop held in the northern province of Ha Nam on June 12.

Speaking at the event, Phung Thi Lan Phuong from the WTO Centre under the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), underlined the importance of signing FTAs to improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in lucrative export markets.

Through the reduction and exemption policies of tariffs and nontariffs, Vietnam’s goods can easily access its partner nations’ markets within FTAs, she said.

She mentioned challenges for Vietnamese businesses in overcoming barriers on technical standards, quarantine procedures and proof of product origin. She also stressed the necessity of further promoting regulations to the business community and trade associations so as to help them produce goods that meet export standards.

Dr. Le Dang Doanh, former Director of the Central Institute for Economic Research and Management , said Vietnamese enterprises should not only take advantage of benefits from FTAs but also pay heed to expanding their markets to promote exports.-VNA