Minister backs regulation requiring banks to provide customer details to taxman

Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung at a group discussion during the National Assembly (NA) session on November 12 

Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung, at a group discussion of the National Assembly (NA) on November 12, threw his weight behind a regulation that requires commercial banks to provide their customers’ bank account information to tax agencies.

At the discussion on the revised Law on Tax Management, Dung said the coordination of the relevant agencies in tax management was crucial, especially when traditional business models are being replaced with the digital and sharing economy as well as ecommerce models.

He noted that the Law on Tax Management has been amended three times in the last decade to serve economic development but many shortcomings remain.

Dung stressed that the regulation is indispensable as tax agencies find it difficult to collect taxes, especially from online stores, without information on their revenues.

The tax management agencies in Vietnam face more difficulties than in other countries. Dung took an example that in many countries, customers do not have to make payments if restaurants do not issue receipts.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Finance, tax arrears amount to more than VND80 trillion (US$3.4 billion), with half of them being irrecoverable debts.

At the discussion session, NA deputy Truong Trong Nghia from HCMC pointed out two main problems faced by the tax sector: tax evasion and tax officials’ violations.

He proposed the revised Law on Tax Management include regulations on the rights and obligations of tax officials, where their primary duty is to instruct enterprises to make full tax payments. 

Many foreign direct investment enterprises said they were willing to pay higher fees to quickly complete tax payment procedures but insisted the fees must be collected in a transparent manner, Nghia remarked.

NA deputy Hoang Van Cuong from Hanoi shared this view, adding that the revised Law on Tax Management should intensify control over tax evasion to ensure fairness among taxpayers.

Regulations on the responsibilities of tax officials must also be included, stated Cuong.

ASEAN countries sign first agreement on e-commerce

Trade ministers of ASEAN member countries pose for a photograph after signing an agreement on e-commerce in Singapore on November 12. (Photo: Courtesy of the Singaporean Trade and Industry Ministry)

Economic ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on November 12 signed an agreement to facilitate cross-border e-commerce transactions within the region.

The agreement, finalised after nine rounds of negotiations which started last June, is the grouping's first agreement on e-commerce. It was signed on the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council Meeting in Singapore.

Apart from facilitating cross-border e-commerce transactions, the pact will also look to foster an environment of trust and confidence in the use of e-commerce as well as enhance collaboration in promoting the regional economic growth.

Speaking that the signing ceremony, Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said that ASEAN is now the fastest growing market in the world, with 330 million Internet users. By 2025, ASEAN’s Internet economy is forecast to increase four fold, reaching 200 billion USD compared to 2017, with e-commerce set to grow to 88 billion USD.

“The agreement is testament to ASEAN’s commitment to create a conducive environment for the growth of e-commerce through advancing trade rules in e-commerce and building up greater digital connectivity within the region,” he said. 

It will encourage paperless trading between businesses and governments, which can generate more rapid and efficient transactions in ASEAN.

Businesses can access and move data across borders more easily, subject to appropriate safeguards, he added.

National Assembly issues 17th communiqué of its ongoing sixth session

Deputies press buttons on the approval of a resolution approving the CPTPP and related documents

The National Assembly continued the agenda of its ongoing sixth session on November 12 with Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in the chair.

In the morning, lawmakers listened to a report on a resolution of adjustments to the mid-term public investment plan for 2016-2020, delivered by head of the National Assembly’s Financial and Budget Committee Nguyen Duc Hai. The resolution was then passed with 89.48 percent of the vote.

After that, deputies discussed in groups the amended Law on Tax Management and a draft law on amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Public Investment.

Most of them agreed on the necessity to revise the two laws to create a more transparent business and investment environment that would attract further investment and help to build a modern tax management system.

In the afternoon, the legislature passed a resolution approving the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and related documents with 96.7 percent of the vote. A report on the draft resolution was delivered by Chairman of the NA Committee for External Affairs Nguyen Van Giau.

Lawmakers then debated in groups the amended Law on Enforcement of Criminal Judgments, and a bill against the harmful effects of alcohol abuse.

Regarding the amended Law on Enforcement of Criminal Judgments, the majority of deputies agreed that it should be put on the table at the sixth and seventh session, towards being adopted later at the eighth session of the 14th National Assembly.

On November 13, lawmakers are scheduled to listen to and discuss reports on the work of the General Prosecutor of the Supreme People’s Procuracy and the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court this year; along with government reports on the prevention of and combat against crime and legal violations, the enforcement of judgments, and corruption prevention and combat in 2018. 

Ambassador to Indonesia welcomed by Vice President Jusuf Kalla

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang (R) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla 

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang on November 12 paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Jusuf Kalla who underlined the need for extra efforts to deepen win-win cooperation between the two countries.

Jusuf Kalla expressed his delight at the fine development of Vietnam-Indonesia traditional friendship and close cooperation over the past more than 60 years.

He spoke highly of the outcomes of recent talks between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi and Bali, during which both sides had proposed specific measures to promote economic, trade and investment ties and help enterprises deal with difficulties.

The Vice President thanked Vietnam for backing Indonesia’s initiatives, affirming that it will work with Vietnam in building priorities within the framework of the Indo-Pacific.

He stressed the necessity to have better coordination in implementing the 2019-2023 Programme of Action, and discussing regional and multilateral issues of mutual concern at the ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Singapore as well as the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Papua New Guinea later this month.

It is also essential to support each other and contribute to maintaining the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the region, the host added.

For his part, Quang congratulated Indonesia on its successful organisation of many international events in recent times, including the 2018 Asian Games (ASIAD 18) and Asian Para Games, the ASEAN Leaders’ Gathering and the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB).

The success of these events has contributed to improving the image and role of Indonesia in the region and the world at large, he affirmed.

The diplomat also extended his sympathy over Indonesia’s human and asset losses in a Lion Air plane crash and earthquakes in Lombok and Sulawesi.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Ambassador Quang emphasised priorities in bilateral cooperation, including building political trust through high-level delegation exchanges, intensifying coordination in regional and international issues, soon addressing existing shortcomings related to an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and fishing, and raising two-way trade to 10 billion USD by 2020.

Legislators to discuss judicial issues on Nov. 13

A plenum of the 14th National Assembly's sixth session 

Legislators of the 14th National Assembly will discuss reports of performance of the heads of the Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuracy, judgment enforcement and the prevention and control of criminals and corruption on November 13 during their ongoing sixth session.

Prior to the discussion, Minister of Public Security To Lam will deliver a report on the prevention and control of criminals and law violation in 2018.

Deputies will hear reports of performance presented by Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy Le Minh Tri, Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh and Justice Minister Le Thanh Long.

They will be provided with a report verifying reports of the Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court and the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy as well as that on the prevention and control of criminals and law violation as well as judgment enforcement in 2018.

The deputies will also hear a report by Inspector General Le Minh Khai on corruption prevention and control in 2018, and another by Chairwoman of the NA Judicial Committee Le Thi Nga on verification of the work.

As scheduled, the deputies will continue discussing the issues in the morning of November 14.

Gate renovated to strengthen Vietnam-Morocco friendship

The renovated Morocco Gate is a symbol of friendship between Vietnam and Morocco. (Source: courtesy of the embassy)

Morocco Gate in Hanoi’s outlying Ba Vi district, a symbol of Vietnam-Morocco friendship, has been renovated.

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy and Moroccan Ambassador Azzeddine Farhane have attended the inauguration ceremony.

Morocco Gate was built between 1956 and 1960 by Moroccan soldiers who left the French army and joined the Liberation Army of Vietnam (Viet Minh) during the Indochina war.            

From 1946 to 1954, they fought alongside Vietnamese people for the independence of the nation. 

The gate was built with Vietnamese materials, inspired by the Moorish architectural style of Moroccan imperial cities.

“This historical and cultural relic is part of the collective domain of historical heritage that Morocco and Vietnam have in common, especially our aspiration for peace and international security as well as political and economic prosperity,” said Ambassador Farhane.

“The monument reflects the profound traditional friendship and embodies the historical relations between Morocco and Vietnam since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1961.”

Indeed, at the request of President Ho Chi Minh, the Moroccan communist party sent a syndicalist Mhammed ben Aomar lahrech Maarouf to supervise Moroccan soldiers in the struggle of independence and freedom of Vietnam.

President Ho named him “Anh Ma” which means “brother horse” thanks to his leadership and actions within the Moroccan Army.

After appealing to Anh Ma, the Moroccan soldiers began building the gate with the same architectural style as Bab Almansour in Rabat or Bab Boujloud in Fes.

The Morocco Gate bears the message of peace and friendship of peoples, throughout the world, from President Ho.

It is the only example of Muslim architectural and cultural work in the Moroccan style that exist in the whole of Asia, expressing the love and humanity of the Vietnamese people.

Vietnamese, Philippine naval forces step up exchange

A volleyball match within the exchange (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Vietnamese and Philippine naval forces discussed search and rescue operations, maritime security, regional disaster warning and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) during their fourth personnel exchange on November 10 on Song Tu Dong (Northeast Cay). 

Apart from cultural and sport activities, the two sides engaged in mock-up exercises, focusing on supply at sea, inspection of suspected vessels and search and rescue work. 

They agreed the exchange helped enhance solidarity, mutual understanding and trust between the two naval forces. 

During the third Vietnam-Philippines Defence Policy Dialogue at deputy ministerial level last August, the two sides decided to boost the exchange of delegations and high-level meetings on the sidelines of multilateral events, and maintain personnel exchanges on Song Tu Tay (Southwest Cay) and Song Tu Dong (Northeast Cay).

Vietnam and the Philippines will hold mutual visits by naval ships and rescue fishermen in distress at sea while promoting logistics and defence industry collaboration, professional exchange in flight safety and aviation medicine and sharing of experience in joining UN peacekeeping missions.

Spain’s region shares experience in sustainable urban development with Hanoi

Vice Chairman of Hanoi's People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu (R) receives Minister of Territory and Sustainability of Catalonia Damià Calvet i Valera (Source: kinhtedothi.vn)

Hanoi wants to learn from experience from the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia to address challenges in building a civilised and sustainable city.

Hanoi is facing major challenges related to pollution, traffic jams and waste treatment, said Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu while receiving a delegation from Catalonia led by Minister of Territory and Sustainability Damià Calvet i Valera on November 12.

He added Hanoi is building eight urban railways, with the first expected to be put into operation late this year. 

Damià Calvet stated the administration structure of Catalonia is not similar to Hanoi’s, but both share similar targets of climate change response, environmental protection and sustainable development.

According to him, Catalonia is implementing infrastructure management policies for sustainable development. It is also facing challenges related to public transport, waste treatment and pollution.

Therefore, the region is focusing on developing multimodal transport using advanced technology, he said, adding that it also bans personal vehicles from places with high traffic density at a certain time of the day and replaces vehicles using normal fuel with those using clean fuel or electricity.

Modern technology is also used in water supply and waste treatment, he said.

With its experience in building a model urban area, Catalonia is willing to support Hanoi’s development, he affirmed.

Catalonia comprises Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. The region has an average annual GDP of more than 100 billion USD. Meanwhile, Hanoi is home to more than 10 million people with rapid urbanisation. The city welcomes about 20 million tourists, including 5 million foreigners, each year.

Vietnam, Singapore step up defence ties

At the 9th Vietnam-Singapore Deputy Minister-Level Defence Policy Dialogue in Singapore on November 12 

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and Chan Yeng Kit, Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Ministry of Defence, co-chaired the 9th Vietnam-Singapore Deputy Minister-Level Defence Policy Dialogue in Singapore on November 12.

At the event, the two sides shared their viewpoints on the regional and global issues of common concern, including defence and security challenges to both countries and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) such as competition among major powers, the East Sea issue, and non-traditional security challenges. 

They agreed that ASEAN should maintain its solidarity and central role in the regional security architecture while promoting the role and responsibilities of partner countries.

Regarding bilateral defence relations, they noted with pleasure the strongly developing ties between the two countries’ defence ministries and armies, particularly the exchange of all-level delegations, training, information sharing, and cooperation between armed services.

In the coming time, the two sides will continue promoting the efficiency of existing cooperation mechanisms and deepen current collaboration contents in a practical and effective manner. They will also build a three-year cooperation plan to concretise collaboration aspects.

Earlier, Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh paid a courtesy visit to Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who spoke highly of the two defence ministries’ maintenance of the deputy minister-level Defence Policy Dialogue – a leading important mechanism to assess bilateral defence ties as well as put forth orientations and measures to boost the relations in the time ahead.

Ng Eng Hen stressed that the two countries’ defence cooperation has made great contributions to enhancing political trust and deepening the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership. He thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence for supporting its Singapore counterpart over the past year, thus contributing to the country’s successful assumption of the role as ASEAN Chair 2018. He affirmed to coordinate closely with the Vietnamese ministry during 2020, when Vietnam takes over ASEAN Chair.

For his part, Vinh asserted that Vietnam always attaches importance to the position of Singapore in the region and wishes to strengthen pragmatic defence ties with Singapore for peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.

NA: resolutions on adjusting mid-term public investment plan, CPTPP adopted

The 14th National Assembly adopted a resolution on adjusting the mid-term public investment plan for the 2016-2020 period with an 89.48 percent approval rate during its ongoing sixth session in Hanoi on November 12. 

Accordingly, the total foreign capital will be raised from 300 trillion VND (13 billion USD) to a maximum of 360 trillion VND, while capital in key national projects will be cut down from 80 trillion VND to 70 trillion VND. 

The total public investment was capped at a maximum of 2 quadrillion VND. 

With 96.7 percent of the vote, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was passed, along with related documents. 

Also on the same day, deputies discussed in groups the amended Law on Taxation Management as well as the law on amendments and supplements to articles of the Law on Public Investment. 

The legislature assigned the Government, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy, and relevant agencies to review bills and other legal documents, thus proposing amendments and supplements to ensure full delivery of commitments in the CPTPP. 

The Prime Minister will be responsible for directing central and local agencies towards realising the CPTPP, paying attention to workforce training to tap into the deal’s opportunities, as well as raising public awareness of its contents. 

They also discussed in groups the draft revision of the Law on Criminal Procedure and the draft Law on Preventing and Combating the Harmful Effects of Alcohol and Beer. 

Government leader says goodbye to outgoing Brazilian Ambassador

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Diniz Brandao 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted the outgoing Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Diniz Brandao in Hanoi on November 12.

Phuc lauded the ambassador’s contributions to enhancing the two countries’ relations, with a number of high-level visits organised and bilateral trade surpassing 4 billion USD.

He said that they should be able to double bilateral trade as the potential for two-way cooperation remains huge.

He suggested intensifying visits between the two countries’ businesses to help expand collaboration opportunities.

Informing the diplomat of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s adoption of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on the afternoon of November 12, Phuc stressed that this will be a good chance for Vietnam and Brazil to boost trade and investment ties.

The Government leader also asked both sides to coordinate in organising activities to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2019.

The outgoing ambassador affirmed that Vietnam has always and will continue to be an important partner of Brazil. He said he believes that the bilateral relations will grow further in the coming time.

He pointed to cooperation potential in aviation as Brazil intends to export aircraft to Vietnam.

He also expressed his hope that Vietnam will sign a free trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), and that Brazil will be able to sign a similar agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Vietnam attends ASEAN economic meetings in Singapore

At a meeting in Singapore 

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh attended the ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting and the Preparatory Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Singapore on November 12. 

Deputies discussed issues regarding economic and trade cooperation, as well as intra-bloc investment; reviewed Singapore’s priorities and initiatives for 2018; and updated the progress of activities towards achieving the ASEAN Economic Community 2025 goals. 

Such contents will be submitted to the 33rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 13-15. 

Ministers agreed on the fourth protocol amending the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement, which will promote the construction of an open, free, and transparent investment region that is pointed towards global integration. 

Regarding the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement – one of Singapore’s biggest priorities during its tenure of the ASEAN Chairmanship, negotiations have been concluded and the deal’s legal review is currently underway. 

Participants debated new fields proposed by partner countries for future free trade agreements and wider cooperation frameworks. 

Singaporean Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing presented a brief on the ASEAN member states’ ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. 

During the sixth preparatory Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Trade Ministers’ Meeting, ministers looked into important orientations directed by leaders that would enable a consensus on market opening, services and investment, and intellectual property, towards basically concluding RCEP negotiations later this year. 

On the occasion, ASEAN economic ministers signed the ASEAN E-Commerce Agreement to promote cross-border trade in the region, narrow the development gap, and fuel sustainable development. It is the bloc’s first independent deal in e-commerce so far, contributing to creating a safe and trustworthy environment for both businesses and individuals. 

Thua Thien-Hue steps up ties with Japan’s Gifu prefecture

Thua Thien-Hue and Japan's Gifu will enhance cooperative ties under a deal inked between the two sides on November 12. 

The central coastal province of Thua Thien-Hue and Japan’s Gifu prefecture will enhance cooperative ties under a deal inked between the two sides on November 12.

The signing was made at a meeting between Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Phan Ngoc Tho and a high-level delegation from the Japanese locality, led by Governor Hajime Furuta and the prefecture’s official Yoshiaki Bito.

Under the deal, both sides will bolster experience exchanges in investment promotion towards branching out the tourism sector; as well as work to facilitate conditions for enterprises to study investment in tourism, the supporting industry, and the high-end industry.

Furthermore, they will promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges to capitalise on the potential and strengths of each locality, thus tightening stable cooperative relations and friendship between the two countries.

At the meeting, Tho said that the Japanese Emperor and Empress’ visit to Thua Thien-Hue in March 2017 opened up comprehensive collaborative opportunities in various sectors between the Vietnamese central province and various Japanese localities.

Since Thua Thien-Hue and Gifu in particular set up cooperative ties in November 2016, they have organised regular exchanges and meetings, he said, adding that many enterprises from Gifu have come to look for investment opportunities in Thua Thien-Hue.

Hue city and Takayama city also inked a memorandum of understanding on cooperation and exchange, while Gifu University and Hue University have worked together in academic research and in the improvement of education and training quality, he higlighted.

Tho expressed his hope that both localities will promote collaboration in high-quality human resources training, market expansion in medical equipment, high-quality industry development, investment promotion, and exchanges of students and craft villages.

Hajime Furuta and Yoshiaki Bito spoke highly of the outcomes in the cooperative relations between Thua Thien-Hue and Gifu over the past, stating that they share a lot of similarities in terms of economy and culture, especially in their potential to develop tourism with a wide range of tourist attractions, such as historic and cultural relic sites, cuisine, and traditional craft. 

Vietnam, France share medical expertise for field hospital staff

Staff of the field hospital on way to South Sudan 

The Vietnamese Ministry of Defence’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the French Defence Attache Office in Vietnam launched an exchange of medical expertise in Hanoi on November 12 for staff of level 1 field hospital under the engineer corps of the Vietnam United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. 

The French delegation was led by specialist doctor Marrache David. 

During the five-day exchange, participants will learn about the healthcare system in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission; their principles in health check-ups and treatment; experience in treating injuries; shock, breast, head, backbone, and thermal injury management; as well as the classification of field combat patients. 

Both sides will also discuss experience in responding to simulation cases and ways to foster bilateral cooperation in the UN peacekeeping mission. 

Speaking at the event, Director of the department Hoang Kim Phung said it is the seventh time since 2016 that Vietnam and France have held the exchange, adding that the event has provided hospital staff the chance to acquire more experience in military medicine, thereby enabling them to cope better with medical cases in the field.

As one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, France has been active in joining the UN peacekeeping activities. The country now maintains forces in nine peacekeeping missions, boasting the second largest number of forces in the European Union and ranking in 30th place globally.

CPV official receives religious dignitaries

Head of the CPVCC’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai speaks at the event 

Politburo member and head of the Vietnam Party Central Committee (CPVCC)’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai hosted religious dignitaries who are deputies of the 14th National Assembly (NA) on November 12.

At the meeting in Hanoi, the dignitaries thanked the Party and State for their support to religious followers. They said the sixth meeting of the 14th NA recorded many positive changes, with CPVCC General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong elected as the country’s President.

The dignitaries also noted that since the Law on Belief and Religion took effect, the law has met demand for belief and religion practices in the nation in the new era. 

They also pledged to continue disseminating the law to followers, encouraging them to implement the law’s provisions and understand guidelines and policies of the Party and State.

For her part, Mai, who is also Secretary of the CPVCC, said Vietnam has so far recognised and granted certificates to 42 organisations of 15 religions, with about 25.3 million followers or 27 percent of the country’s population. There are about 60,800 religious dignitaries and 27,920 worshipping establishments nationwide. 

She spoke highly of role of religious dignitaries who are 14th NA deputies in making decisions on the country’s important issues and religious affairs, as well as in persuading followers to support the Party’s policies and the State’s laws.

She took the occasion to ask the guests to continue contributing their opinions on issues related to religious affairs in particular and the country’s socio-economic development in general.

The official affirmed that the dignitaries are models for followers and expressed her belief that they will closely work with the Commission on Mass Mobilisation and relevant agencies to ensure the freedom of belief and religion of all people and fulfil their assigned tasks while contributing to the activities of the legislative body.

She said the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and relevant agencies will consider opinions of the dignitaries and later send them to authorised agencies.

National Assembly passes resolution approving CPTPP, related documents

The 14th National Assembly passed a resolution approving the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and related documents in the afternoon of November 12 with 96.7 percent of votes. 

The resolution allows the application of the entire content of the CPTPP, with direct enforcement of stipulations in the CPTPP’s Annex 2.

The NA assigns the Government, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy and relevant organisations and agencies to review laws listed in Annex 3 and other legal documents so as to request authorized agencies to timely make adjustments and supplements or issue new documents, thus ensuring the consistency of the legal system and keeping up with the roadmap for implementing commitments under the CPTPP.  

The Prime Minister will be responsible for approving plans for the implementation of the CPTPP and instructing central and local agencies and organisations in carrying out the plans. 

The resolution also requires the building and enforcement of measures to prevent and address adverse impacts that can arise during the implementation of the CPTPP. It urges the popularization of the pact’s content in order to create consensus in awareness and actions of the entire political system, business circle and people regarding Vietnam’s membership in the CPTPP.

The Government is asked to instruct relevant ministries and sectors to complete procedures for the ratification of the CPTPP and announce the date the pact takes effect for Vietnam. 

The NA, the NA Standing Committee, NA committees, NA delegations and NA deputies are responsible for supervising the implementation of the resolution in accordance with their tasks and authority.  

The CPTPP was signed by 11 member states, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam in March 2018.

It is one of the most comprehensive trade deals ever concluded and strips 98 percent of tariffs for the 11 countries with a combined GDP of more than 13.8 trillion USD and close to 500 million consumers.

The pact will be provisionally enacted 60 days after it is ratified by six countries.

As such, the CPTPP is hoped to take effect in December 2018, as so far Mexico, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Canada have ratified the deal.