A conference on international integration and sustainable development in the digital era in the north-central region was held in Thua Thien-Hue province on July 24.

Overview of the conference (Source: dangcongsan.vn)

The event drew representatives from the German Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, economists and officials from six north-central provinces and businesses in the region.

It aimed to update participants on global development and the Party and State’s foreign policies, and served as a forum to discuss essential development issues in the region to help regional localities in policy-making.

Addressing the conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam has so far signed 16 free trade agreements with 59 partners, opening up opportunities to expand and diversify export markets and attract human resources to serve development.

Joining international agreements are breakthroughs in Vietnam’s international integration efforts, helping the country perfect its market institutions, the official added.

During the conference, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also held a seminar between experts and leading officials from localities and enterprises on how to implement international commitments related to economic integration.

Leaders of regional provinces expressed their hope that the ministry, with its network of representative offices abroad, will maintain assistance for localities in promoting trade and investment and diversifying export markets.

The region covers Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces.