The European Commission has announced the granting of seven aid packages worth a total of 1.6 million EUR to Vietnamese business associations and universities that have put forth proposals to improve their capacity on trade policy in order to integrate in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
According to an EC delegation press release on Sept. 24, the assistance is part of the third phase of the Multilateral Trade Assistance Programme (MUTRAP), an initiative by the EC and the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The MUTRAP, which began in 1998 to help Vietnam integrate into the WTO, proffers its assistance by first drawing on the participation of businesses and scholars. The EC pledged 10 million EUR for the third phase and 8 million EUR for the first and second phases of the programme.
Delegation member Hans Farnhammer said that with the seven aid packages, the EC will help improve the capacity of the Government, business associations and universities on trade policy.
The beneficiaries of the assistance include the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham).
Other beneficiaries include the Foundation for Economic Development and Vocational Training of Germany (SEQUA), the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association (Lefaso) and the Vietnam Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Association.
In addition, support will be provided to two universities in Hanoi, namely the University of Foreign Trade and the Hanoi Law University, to help them improve teaching and research on trade policy to meet international standards./.