Viet Nam and Switzerland have signed an agreement on the implementation of the trade policy and export promotion (Swiss Trade) project.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan and Swiss
Ambassador Ivo Sieber at the signing ceremony, Ha Noi, October 22, 2021

The agreement was signed by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan and Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber in Ha Noi on October 22.

The project will be implemented between 2021 and 2024 with the total budget of CHF 5.627 million (equivalent to VND 148 billion), in which Switzerland will grant CHF 5.0 million (or VND 131.5 billion).

The project targets to improve the effectiveness of trade performance and international competitiveness of domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by enhancing framework conditions for trade, fostering public-private dialogue mechanisms, and strengthening the eco-system for trade promotion.

Under the project, the Swiss side will assist the Ministry of Industry and Trade in: (i) shaping the key strategic directions for the next 10-year Import-Export Development Strategy of Viet Nam; (ii) establishing public-private dialogue mechanisms to further the exchange between the private sector and the national authorities on trade policies, trade facilitation and trade promotion; and (iii) and strengthening the capacity of  Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in delivering export promotion services to SMEs to improve their competitiveness and participation in global value chains.

Particular attention will be paid to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the promotion of digitization for Vietnamese SMEs./.