Decision No. 950/QD-TTg dated July 25, 2012 of the Prime Minister promulgating the action program for implementation of the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030

THE PRIME MINISTER

Decision No. 950/QD-TTg of July 25, 2012, promulgating the action program for implementation of the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the December 25, 2001 Law on Organization of the Government;

Pursuant to the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030;

At the proposal of the Minister of Industry and Trade,

DECIDES:

Article 1. To promulgate together with this Decision the action program for implementation of the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030, which was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 2471/QD-TTg of December 28, 2011.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.

Article 3. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees and related units and persons shall implement this Decision.

For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
HOANG TRUNG HAI

Action program for implementation of the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030

(Promulgated together with the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 950/QD-TTg of July 25, 2012)

I. THE PROGRAM’S OBJECTIVES

The action program for implementation of the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030 (below referred to as the action program) aims to concretize the major tasks and solutions identified in the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2471/QD-TTg of December 28, 2011, approving the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030, targeting the following objectives:

- The annual average goods export growth rate will be 11%-12% during 2011-2020.

- The annual average goods import growth rate will be 10%-11% during 2011-2020.

- To gradually reduce trade deficit and keep it at approximately 10% of the export turnover by 2015 and achieve trade balance by 2020. To strive to earn trade surplus during 2021-2030.

II. MAJOR TASKS

1. Production development and economic restructuring

a/ Industrial production

- To review, supplement and finalize strategies and master plans of various industrial sectors and products in conformity with the 2011-2012 socio-economic development strategy and the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030.

- To implement the national program on raising productivity and quality of products and goods of Vietnamese businesses through 2020, which was approved in the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 712/QD-TTg of May 21, 2010, and approved projects under such program.

- To implement the national technological renewal program through 2020, which was approved in the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 677/QD-TTg of May 10, 2011, focusing on key products, major products and national products; to research into, master and apply advanced technologies; to formulate policies to support businesses in technological renewal to improve the quality, scientific and technological contents, added value and localization value of their exported products.

- To identify specific potential export items. To formulate and promulgate mechanisms and policies to develop the production of potential export items belonging to the commodity groups of construction materials, petrochemical products, rubber products, plastic products, electronics and cell phones, which have national competitive advantage, high growth rate and high added value.

- To proactively implement the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 12/2011/QD-TTg of February 24, 2011, on policies to develop a number of supporting industries; to review and supplement incentive policies to promote and attract investment in the manufacture of prioritized supporting industry products belonging to the sectors of mechanical engineering, electronics and information technology, automobile manufacture and assembly, textile and garment, leather and footwear, and high technologies. To propose new supporting industry products to be prioritized for development in the coming time to suit the domestic and international economic situation and export development targets.

- To specifically assess the building of raw and auxiliary material supply centers for the textile and garment and leather-footwear industries in the past time and, on that basis, propose the promulgation of mechanisms and policies to remove difficulties and develop raw and auxiliary material supply centers for such industries as textile and garment, leather-footwear, woodwork, electronics and mechanics.

- To study policies on sustainable industrial development so as to associate economic growth with natural resource conservation and environmental protection; to strictly comply with international environmental commitments in environmental agreements already concluded; to build a legal system for dealing with environmental issues in the integration process; and to adopt appropriate policies to support small- and medium-sized enterprises in environmental management and investment in environment friendly products.

b/ Agricultural production

- To review, supplement and finalize strategies and master plans on agricultural sub-sectors and products (rice, coffee, tea, pepper, cashew nut, rubber and aquatic products) in conformity with the socio-economic development strategy through 2020 and the master plan on agricultural production development during 2011-2020, with a 2030 vision, which was approved in the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 124/QD-TTg of February 2, 2012. To continue to formulate, amend and supplement incentive mechanisms and policies aiming to attract businesses to invest in the agricultural sector; to adopt appropriate policies in order to assure stable and sustainable markets for agricultural products, especially products of large concentrated production areas and key agricultural products.

- To formulate mechanisms and policies aiming to set orientations for, support and encourage businesses to raise the productivity and quality of their key agricultural products on the basis of applying solutions suitable to their sectors and businesses; to implement solutions to support the application and transfer of scientific and technological advances in production and farming techniques and the use of new plant varieties and animal breeds of high yield and high quality; to renew exploitation, preliminary processing, preservation and intensive processing technologies so as to increase the value of key exported agricultural, fishery and forestry goods and products.

- To boost the piloting of agricultural, forestry and fishery production models aiming to build concentrated commodity production areas in combination with processing, consumption and export of goods and, at the same time, create a linkage in terms of forces and means of production to create conditions for the application of new scientific, technical and technological advances as well as new varieties and breeds to production. Localities shall constantly monitor and review good models for dissemination and expansion; and send reports and proposals to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for finalization and supplementation of criteria and solutions so as to boost the application of these models nationwide.

- To formulate and promulgate mechanisms to encourage the combination between development of raw material zones with production, processing and export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in the forms of joint venture, association, long-term contract, supply of input raw materials combined with product consumption. Localities shall, on the basis of reviewing their master plans on raw material zones, accelerate investment in raw material zone development combined with production and on-spot processing for export.

- To review, supplement and finalize standards and technical regulations applicable to agricultural, forestry and fishery commodities, especially key agricultural commodities for export such as rice, coffee and rubber, and aquatic products. On that basis, to work out a roadmap for compulsory application of standards and technical regulations to agricultural, forestry and fishery commodities for export and increase inspection and control so as to improve quality and efficiency and protect the prestige and brand names of Vietnamese goods.

- To regularly grasp the situation of application by importing countries of protectionist measures and technical barriers to Vietnamese exports, especially agricultural, forestry and fishery commodities; to enhance public information so as to improve exporters’ awareness about this work, and ensure proactive coordination among related agencies, localities, associations and businesses so as to work out timely and effective response measures.

2. Market development and trade promotion

- To urgently elaborate and submit to competent authorities for approval a strategy on free trade agreement (FTA) negotiation through 2020, concentrating resources for negotiating FTAs with key and potential markets and areas.

- To elaborate export development and acceleration schemes for each area and market so as to diversify import and export commodities and markets and properly tap the potential and specific advantages of each area and market.

- To accelerate bilateral and multilateral negotiations; to review agreements and international commitments already signed with other countries or regions so as to work out measures to accelerate export into these markets and, at the same time, assure coordinated implementation of these commitments.

- To step by step develop and perfect professional information service providers in order to collect, analyze and forecast about domestic and global market situations as well as laws, policies and trade practices in different markets so as to help businesses acquire accurate and timely specialized information in order to improve their competitiveness and effectively penetrate into markets.

- To renew the operation model of trade representation offices along the line of promoting their autonomy and assuring their operational effectiveness.

- To elaborate and submit to competent authorities for promulgation a scheme on consolidation and expansion of the system of overseas Vietnamese trade promotion representation offices so as to meet requirements in the new situation.

- To boost export promotion activities under the national trade promotion program according to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 72/2010/QD-TTg of November 15, 2010, promulgating the Regulation on elaboration, management and implementation of national trade promotion programs, focusing on development of new products which have competitive edge and face no market restrictions for export into potential markets.

- To effectively implement the national branding program; to encourage the organization of events to introduce and advertise businesses’ brand names and national products; to guide and support enterprises in proactively protecting their brand names and trademarks of exported goods in the world market.

- To create conditions for the Business Association of Overseas Vietnamese to promote the role and capacity of overseas Vietnamese communities in expanding export markets, renovating and improving the quality and competitiveness of Vietnamese goods in the international market and establishing and expanding the overseas distribution systems of Vietnamese goods.

- To review and evaluate trade infrastructure in border areas, especially areas with large quantities of imported and exported goods and, on that basis, propose mechanisms and policies to perfect and develop trade infrastructure in these areas; to enhance cooperation and information exchange with bordering countries so as to assure stable export and forecast and proactively prevent any possible unfavorable practices; to amend and supplement border trade mechanisms and policies to be flexible, offering maximum incentives for export while assuring the import of essential goods items.

- To accelerate the negotiation, conclusion and implementation of agreements on mutual recognition of standards, product quality and pre-shipment inspection in order to enhance trade facilitation efforts between Vietnam and other countries.

- To work out specific solutions to increase and improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs activities for economic purposes so as to expand export markets for Vietnamese goods.

3. Finalization of trade, finance, credit and investment policies for export production development

- To review and finalize the system of laws, mechanisms and policies related to the state management in the field of import and export.

- To assess the pilot implementation of export credit insurance under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2011/QD-TTg of November 5, 2010, and on that basis, propose to competent authorities mechanisms and policies to boost the provision of export credit insurance for businesses.

- To increase the role of the Vietnam Development Bank in granting credit and export and investment credit guarantee to small- and medium-sized enterprises.

- To review and set import and export duty rates in line with the international and regional integration roadmaps so as to create conditions to boost export and develop domestic production.

- To conduct a comprehensive evaluation of foreign investment in Vietnam in the past time and set policy orientations through 2020. To propose solutions to attract foreign direct investment of high quality.

- To adopt policies to encourage transnational groups and big businesses in the world to invest in industries and supporting industries, ensuring increased investment quality and effectiveness, environmental protection and commitments on technology transfer and development of highly skilled human resources.

- To timely allocate and reserve funds for provision of loans with reasonable interest rates for industrial and agricultural production, export production and supporting industries; to flexibly administer the monetary, exchange rate and foreign exchange management policies so as to promote export.

- To review, negotiate and conclude new agreements and supplement existing agreements on banking cooperation, especially with African countries, in order to assure convenience and safety and restrict payment risks.

4. Investment in development of infrastructure and services to serve goods import and export and accelerate socialization of logistic services

- To invest in and upgrade transport infrastructure, warehouses and storing yards in large seaports and import-export customs clearance places to meet the demand for goods import and export through 2020, with orientations toward 2030.

- To formulate and finalize the legal framework and policies to develop logistics services and, at the same time, standardize the service process, upgrade infrastructure and raise human resource quality.

- To formulate mechanisms and policies to improve the capacity and effectiveness of export-supporting services in Vietnam.

5. Human resource training and development

- To organize the implementation of the master plan on development of human resources of the industry and trade sector during 2011-2020 to meet the development requirements and objectives of each sub-sector as textile-garment, leather and footwear, woodwork, plastics, electronics and mechanics.

- To formulate mechanisms and policies to encourage and support businesses and trade associations to invest and participate in training human resources for export production.

- To diversify and expand forms of cooperation in human resource training along the line of linking training institutions with businesses and step by step providing training at the request of the business community.

- To increase the training and dissemination of trade knowledge, policies and laws of other countries for localities and businesses to take advantage of incentives under international commitments and take measures to proactively prevent and avoid trade barriers to develop the export of key and new commodity items.

6. Import control

- To plan the production of essential raw materials, fuels and supplies which currently have been imported for export production or processing, focusing on those which cannot be produced at home or which can be produced at home but domestic supply cannot meet demand.

- To review investment structure and study policies to encourage investment in the production of goods with competitive edge to meet domestic demand; to urge and accelerate the construction or implementation of facilities or projects to produce goods for the domestic markets so as to early put them into operation.

- To develop a roadmap for negotiation and agreement on governmental-level trade exchange aiming to improve trade balance with trade partners in a reasonable manner in conformity with domestic demands, production capacity and international commitments, especially countries with which Vietnam records a high trade deficit.

- To increase the use of home-made goods so as to contribute to curbing trade deficit; to boost domestic trade promotion to create linkages between machinery, equipment, supplies, raw materials and auxiliary material producers and users; to devise mechanisms to encourage the use of home-made supplies and goods in bids for state budget-funded projects.

- To further apply import management measures in conformity with international commitments and inspect the quality, hygiene and safety of imported goods; to review and promulgate standards and technical regulations on food quality, hygiene and safety and environmental protection applicable to imported goods in conformity with domestic regulations and international commitments.

7. Raising the competitiveness of businesses and the role of trade associations

- Trade associations shall boost market and price trend evaluation and forecast and periodically provide information relating to foreign markets and policies to their members for the latter to more actively prevent risks caused by market fluctuations.

- To increase the role and capacity of trade associations in organizing trade promotion programs to help businesses develop their markets.

- To promote the role of trade associations in creating a linkage between their members, acting as a representative to protect the rights and legitimate interests of their members in international trade and properly play their role as a bridge between state management agencies and businesses.

- To proactively seize opportunities, focusing on technological renewal and enhancing cooperation and association to improve product quality and competitiveness.

- To organize production and business models that attach importance to quality and assure food hygiene and safety and conformity with prescribed standards and technical regulations so as to ensure the prestige of exported products and exporters.

- To closely coordinate with state management agencies and promptly report arising difficulties and problems so as to work out active response measures to boost export, increase export effectiveness and gradually reduce trade deficit.

- To take the initiative in seeking and developing new markets so as to diversify import and export markets and avoid dependence on a small group of traditional markets so as to minimize risks which might arise from changes in these markets.

III. SCHEMES UNDER THE ACTION PROGRAM

In addition to the aforesaid tasks and related tasks assigned in relevant resolutions, strategies and action programs of the Government, ministries and sectors shall take the main charge for elaboration and implementation of specific schemes and tasks as assigned to them in the Appendix to the action program (not translated herein).

IV. FUNDS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PROGRAM

1. Funds for the implementation of the action program come from the central budget, local budgets; international assistance capital; funds raised from social sources and communities and other lawful sources.

2. Annually, based on the objectives and contents of the action program and specific schemes and tasks assigned to them in the Appendix, ministries, sectors and localities shall estimate funds for the implementation of the action program for submission to competent authorities for approval according to the state budget law.

V. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

a/ Organize the implementation of the action program, administer operations of the action program and implement specific schemes and tasks assigned to it.

b/ Guide ministries, sectors and provincial-level People’s Committees in elaborating their action plans for the implementation of the strategy according to their functions, powers and practical conditions.

c/ Urge, inspect and annually summarize and report the implementation to the Prime Minister; conduct preliminary and final reviews to evaluate the implementation of the action program.

2. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance shall balance and allocate funds for the implementation of the action program within annual budget estimates of central agencies and localities according to the state budget law.

3. Related ministries and sectors shall:

a/ Elaborate and promulgate in the fourth quarter of 2012 their action plans for the strategy implementation to specify their tasks and schemes within the scope of their functions and tasks according to the guidance of the Ministry of Planning and Investment; annually, evaluate the results and effectiveness of implementation of their assigned tasks and schemes and send evaluation reports to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for summarization and reporting to the Prime Minister.

b/ Elaborate and implement specific schemes and tasks as assigned. Ministries and sectors assigned to take the main charge of schemes shall, based on the prescribed time limit and schedule for elaborating these schemes, take the initiative in registering these schemes into the work programs of the Government, the Prime Minister or their ministries or sectors for approval and timely implementation so as to assure effectiveness and meeting practical requirements.

c/ Integrate sectoral development projects, national target programs and other socio-economic development programs with the schemes and tasks of the action program so as to assure effectiveness and avoid overlapping and waste.

d/ Review, adjust and supplement their sectoral or product strategies and master plans in conformity with the 2011-2020 socio-economic development strategy and the goods import and export strategy for the 2011-2020 period, with orientations toward 2030.

4. Provincial-level People’s Committees shall:

a/ On the basis of the guidance of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and based on the practical local situation, promulgate their own action plans and, at the same time, direct related local agencies and units in formulating and coordinating with ministries and central agencies in implementing their local master plans, schemes and programs on production development and export acceleration on the basis of the tasks specified in the action program.

b/ Organize the elaboration, approval and implementation of their assigned schemes and tasks in a timely and effective manner.

c/ Organize and mobilize resources for, and integrate projects under national target programs and other socio-economic development programs in their localities with, the tasks of the action program in order to ensure effective implementation and avoid overlapping and waste.-

For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
HOANG TRUNG HAI