Information on the situation of negotiating and signing free trade agreements, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the Free Trade Agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with EFTA and free trade agreements within the framework of ASEAN is being actively implemented.

The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and Israel (VIFTA) was officially signed on 25/7 in Israel

Under the direction of the Government, the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and EFTA (including Switzerland, Norway, Ireland and Liechtenstein), the two sides went through 16 official negotiation sessions, many at delegation leader and technical level. In the coming time, the two sides will resume negotiations to soon conclude the negotiation of this free trade agreement (FTA). It is expected that the 17th negotiating session of the Vietnam-EFTA FTA will take place in November 11 in Switzerland.

For the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first discussion session between the two sides was held in Hanoi last June 6. The two sides agreed on a Terms of Reference (TOR) defining the scope of CEPA, exchanging orientations for general discussions as well as orientations for discussions in specific areas, including: trade in goods, rules of origin, trade in services, investment facilitation, e-commerce, customs cooperation, trade remedies...

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Decision No. 1542/QD-BCT on June 26, 6 officially establishing the CEPA negotiating delegation with the UAE. Currently, Vietnam and UEA are actively discussing and negotiating to be able to soon conclude this FTA negotiation under the direction of the leaders of the two countries.

Regarding free trade agreements within the framework of ASEAN, relevant ministries and agencies concluded negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is finalizing the draft Submission to the Government on the signing of the Protocol amending the AANZFTA Agreement with the goal of signing the Protocol with ASEAN countries and Australia - New Zealand in 2023.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has chaired and coordinated with relevant ministries and sectors to attend the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiation sessions online in April and June 4.

At the same time, the Ministry also chaired and coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies to participate in 2 negotiation sessions to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement in Thailand in April and in China in June 4; ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) in Indonesia in February and May 6.