VCCI Vice Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh and delegates at the FTAAP Dialogue within the framework of the PECC Signature project "FTAAP Pathways to Prosperity"

Recently, within the framework of the ABAC 1 meeting, Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), an alternate member of ABAC Vietnam, attended the APEC Free Trade Agreement Dialogue (FTAAP) within the framework of the PECC Signature project "FTAAP Pathways to Prosperity".

This event aimed to discuss the future direction of FTAAP and the role of PECC in supporting this initiative, while creating an opportunity for stakeholders in the APEC community to share their views and propose solutions.

Accordingly, in his opening speech, Mr. Craig Emerson, Chairman of the PECC FTAAP Project Working Group, emphasized the importance of dialogue in building a comprehensive and sustainable free trade area.

Mr. Emerson also affirmed his desire to promote multilateral cooperation to create practical values for the FTAAP in the APEC region.

At the meeting, the Vice Chairman of VCCI and delegates exchanged opinions and discussed the opportunities and challenges in realizing the FTAAP. Mr. Eduardo Pedrosa, APEC Executive Director, presented APEC's views on the FTAAP, emphasizing the need to harmonize free trade agreements in the region to promote economic integration.

Meanwhile, Ms. Anna Curzon, Chair of the ABAC Regional Economic Integration Working Group, shared the work that ABAC is implementing to support the FTAAP process.

Delegates discuss at the FTAAP Dialogue

According to Mr. Carlos Kuriyama, Director of APEC Policy Support Unit, there are many similarities and differences between free trade agreements in APEC. Therefore, he also made recommendations on improving the consistency between existing FTAs.

Finally, Ms. Kristen Bondietti, Vice Chairwoman of AusPECC, introduced the PECC FTAAP Signature Project and how the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) can contribute to the development of effective FTAAP implementation strategies.

In addition, delegates focused on discussing how PECC can contribute value to the FTAAP, the next steps for policy reports and recommendations, as well as suggesting potential topics for future projects, including services and good regulatory practices, mutual recognition and labor mobility in professional services, and the link between trade and climate change.

The FTAAP Dialogue Meeting within the framework of the PECC Signature project "FTAAP Pathways to Prosperity" took place on February 22, 2025.

At the discussion session, the Vice Chairman of VCCI had effective discussions on practical implementation options and proposed a more effective cooperation mechanism between APEC, ABAC and PECC.

In the coming time, APEC Executive Director Eduardo Pedrosa presented the next steps for the PECC FTAAP project and the long-term vision to ensure the sustainability of FTAAP in the APEC region.

Mr. Craig Emerson emphasized that there are currently many opportunities and challenges in realizing FTAAP; at the same time, he emphasized the commitment to continue cooperation in the future to promote regional economic integration.

Delegates jointly identified areas where PECC could contribute to the FTAAP, proposed new topics for the project, and strengthened the commitment to cooperation between APEC, ABAC, and PECC to promote regional economic integration.