The Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration held its first meeting in 2025.

On October 9, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on International Integration, Head of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee on International Economic Integration, chaired the first meeting of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee on Economic Integration, right after being reorganized according to Decision No. 1812/QD-TTg dated August 25, 2025 of the Prime Minister.

Báo Đại biểu Nhân dân•09/10/2025

Maximize cohesion and effective coordination

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that this was the first meeting of the Inter-sectoral Economic Steering Committee after being reorganized according to Decision No. 1812/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. At the same time, he said that these are important steps, which are the basis for the effective implementation of the Steering Committee's activities in the coming time.

1(4).jpg — Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien delivered the opening speech at the meeting.

The Minister expressed his belief that the Steering Committee will maximize the cohesion, synchronization and effective coordination between ministries, branches and localities, thereby successfully implementing international economic integration tasks, making practical contributions to the country's rapid and sustainable development.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien - Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on International Integration requested that each member of the Steering Committee be both a focal point and a bridge in the assigned field, thereby creating unity in direction and consensus in implementation. This is the core value and also the greatest advantage of the inter-sectoral Steering Committee mechanism.

At the meeting, members of the Steering Committee and delegates shared frankly and contributed specific and practical opinions; showing that ministries, branches and localities have made many efforts in concretizing the policies and resolutions of the Party and the Government , linking the task of international economic integration with the socio-economic development strategy of each branch and locality; at the same time, closely coordinating in implementing free trade agreements, creating favorable conditions for businesses to access markets, expand exports, attract investment and promote domestic institutional reform.

However, members of the Steering Committee for International Economic Integration also assessed that the current situation still faces many difficulties and challenges, in the context of rapid and complex developments in the world and the region. Trade conflicts, strategic competition between major countries, emerging issues such as tariffs with the United States, trade defense lawsuits, green technical barriers of the EU, or new requirements for sustainable development... are posing problems that need to be addressed in both the short and long term.

6 key tasks

Unifying the opinions at the meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien - Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee on International Integration, Head of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration, stated that after 18 years since 2007 when Vietnam joined the WTO, Vietnam's economy has become clear on the world map. According to the assessment of many organizations in the world, the scale of our economy ranks 32nd and the openness of the economy is among the top; import-export turnover has grown very rapidly over the years, increasing by 47% from 2020 to present. If in 2020, the value of import-export turnover reached 545 billion USD, by 2025, this result will set a new record number, about 920 - 930 billion USD.

From a self-sufficient economy, Vietnam has reached out to the world through joining the WTO and signing FTAs.... Up to now, Vietnam has had 20 FTAs signed and negotiated; of which 17 FTAs have been and are being implemented with major economies in the world, accounting for 90% of global GDP.

In terms of attracting FDI, Vietnam is one of the 15 countries that has been very successful in attracting FDI, especially in the last 10 years with a growth rate of about 20 - 25% per year. Vietnam continues to be an attractive destination for foreign investors. In terms of e-commerce, especially cross-border e-commerce, Vietnam also has a very strong growth rate, about 22 - 25% per year. Currently, Vietnam is one of the 5 countries with the largest e-commerce growth rate in the world.

However, Vietnam's international economic integration cannot be measured solely by the openness of the economy, the number of signed FTAs, or the amount of FDI capital invested in Vietnam, or even by the annual increase in import-export turnover, but must depend on the internal capacity of the country's economy, and the participation of Vietnamese enterprises in the global production and supply chain.

3(3).jpg — Delegates attending the meeting

Vietnam has been successful in attracting investment and negotiating and signing FTAs, but the benefits Vietnam has enjoyed in the integration process have not been as expected. This requires us to raise the level of international economic integration.

As a country with deep international integration, but with a modest scale, Vietnam needs to firmly adhere to multilateralism, based on international law. To successfully integrate, our Party and State have clearly defined guidelines, lines, viewpoints and policies. However, to effectively carry out the assigned tasks, and at the same time promote the role of inter-sectoral coordination agencies, the Minister requested that members of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee, ministries, branches and localities in the coming time focus on implementing the following key tasks:

Firstly, synchronously organize and ensure the progress and quality of the assigned tasks in Resolution No. 153/NQ-CP dated May 31, 2025 promulgating the Government's Action Program to implement Resolution 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation.

Second, continue to negotiate and effectively implement FTAs according to the orientations and solutions in Decision No. 112/QD-TTg dated June 19, 2025 of the Prime Minister approving the Orientation for participation in FTAs until 2030, vision 2035. Focus on handling existing issues to effectively exploit the 17 signed trade agreements/agreements, continue to promote the expansion and diversification of export markets through researching new, potential markets with room for exploitation in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America...; at the same time, promote negotiations of new free trade agreements such as starting negotiations on the PTA with Pakistan; carry out necessary procedures to move towards starting negotiations on the FTA with GCC and MERCOSUR.

Third, prioritize focusing resources on the task of continuing to negotiate reciprocal trade with the United States to achieve the most favorable commitments for Vietnam, towards a comprehensive, fair, balanced and sustainable trade agreement. Focus on warning and recommending to localities, industry associations and businesses timely and appropriate response solutions to the US tariff policy. Strengthen the grasp and timely removal of difficulties and obstacles, support localities, industry associations and businesses with import-export trade activities with the United States.

Fourth, promote international cooperation in new areas such as energy transition, digital transformation, circular economy, technology transfer, application of scientific achievements, innovation to build and develop fundamental industries. Proactively and actively participate in building international rules and standards on new technologies to ensure safety and mutual benefit, promote capacity building and technology transfer in FTAs of which Vietnam is a member.

Fifth, strengthen research, forecasting and strategic consulting, proactively monitor international economic and trade developments; promptly develop scenarios and solutions to respond flexibly to market fluctuations and policies of major partners; at the same time, improve early warning capacity, support businesses in handling trade defense cases, technical barriers, and converting production models towards green and sustainable direction. Propaganda and dissemination of knowledge on international economic integration need to be innovated in methods and strongly implemented on the basis of technology application and digital transformation.

Sixth, further promote the inter-sectoral coordination role of the Steering Committee, ensuring close, smooth and effective coordination between ministries, branches and localities. The Steering Committee needs to regularly maintain an inter-sectoral exchange and consultation mechanism, not only in regular meetings, but also in handling daily work to promptly handle and resolve difficulties and obstacles in the process of implementing the directions of the Government and the Prime Minister.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien believes that the cohesion, synchronization and effective coordination between ministries, branches and localities will be maximized, thereby successfully implementing international economic integration tasks, making practical contributions to the country's rapid and sustainable development.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/ban-chi-dao-lien-nganh-hoi-nhap-quoc-te-ve-kinh-te-hop-phien-thu-nhat-nam-2025-10389716.html