The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) will generate many opportunities for firms in Ca Mau, especially those operating in the areas of the Mekong Delta province’s strength like agro-forestry-fishery, heard a conference held in the locality on October 8.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Linh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Can Tho city, said the EVFTA would help to increase Vietnam’s export revenue by 20% this year and 42.75% in 2025.

Such sectors as rice, sugar, pork, poultry meat, forestry products and garments are expected to benefit most from the deal, she added.

With the EVFTA, the EU will offer great opportunities to Vietnam to restore its exports after COVID-19, she said, suggesting goods and market restructuring in anticipation of these opportunities.

Pham Binh An, deputy head of the Ho Chi Minh City Institute for Development Studies, pointed out bottlenecks in the implementation of the agreement, regarding the businesses’ awareness of the deal.

In fact, many small- and medium-sized enterprises have yet to pay due attention to the EVFTA, he continued.

Experts at the event asked local leaders to step up the communication work, strengthen competitiveness, promote cooperation between localities in the country and the region, and improve the capacity of officials in charge of international integration affairs.

Nguyen Van Do, Director of Ca Mau’s Department of Industry and Trade, said the province has adopted a plan that sets forth major tasks during the implementation of the EVFTA.