Deputy PM hails practical outcomes from 2025 FTA Index

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc attended and addressed the event, alongside leaders from various ministries, agencies, and localities.

Building on the inaugural nationwide evaluation in 2024, the 2025 index covered all 34 key provinces and cities. The survey gathered feedback from 4,066 import-export enterprises through December 31, 2025, focusing on local trade promotion, administrative reforms, and support policies.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan noted that the 2025 index improved its methodology and data verification, putting businesses at the center to accurately reflect how corporate entities perceive local FTA implementation.

Representing the top-ranked city awarded a certificate of merit by the Prime Minister, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong People's Committee Hoang Minh Cuong said the city succeeded by linking FTA implementation to socioeconomic goals and moving from broad outreach to targeted support for specific industries.

Addressing the ceremony, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc emphasized that international economic integration must drive institutional reform and national growth models, converting signed trade deals into clear economic results. Vietnam currently enforces 17 FTAs covering more than 80% of global GDP.

To maximize these agreements, the Deputy PM asked ministries and localities to treat FTA implementation as an organic part of local socioeconomic strategies while holding provincial leaders directly accountable for performance. He stressed the need to streamline administrative procedures, enhance data sharing, and apply artificial intelligence to help businesses navigate rules of origin, market standards, and trade risks.

Furthermore, he asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant agencies to expand negotiations for new-generation FTAs, including with South American trade bloc MERCOSUR, and upgrade the FTA Index into a continuous national digital ecosystem rather than an annual reporting event.

He also urged the business community to proactively innovate technology, improve corporate governance, build strong brands, and meet increasingly high green and labor standards to capitalize on international market preferences.

Vietnam to unveil first FTA Index on local implementation

VOV.VN - The Ministry of Industry and Trade is scheduled to launch the FTA Index 2025 on August 18 to introduce the country's first nationwide assessment of how effectively provinces and centrally run cities implement free trade agreements (FTAs).

Trade ministry to publish FTA Index, facilitate utilisation of free trade deals

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is focusing on improving local capability in helping businesses take advantage of free trade agreements such as the UKVFTA and EVFTA by issuing an FTA Index by the end of 2023.