The Fund to Strengthen Trade Capacities (FRCC), jointly set up by the Treasury and Economic Policy General Directorate of the Ministry of Economics, Finance and Industry (DGTPE) and the AFD, finances training and technical cooperation schemes, which aim to help Vietnam improve its participation in multilateral negotiations and secure a stronger foothold in the development of international exchanges. Therefore, it covers two major aspects of trade assistance: improving export capacities and related technical institutional assistance. Currently, the fund has 3 million euro.

Speaking at the seminar, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Cao Viet Sinh praised foreign assistance to Vietnam, especially in the near future after the country joins the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Vietnam needs to improve its trade capacities to integrate into international markets.

Francois Cotier, French Commercial Counselor in Hanoi, said Vietnam should speed up implementation of the programme as it is being implemented slower than in other countries. Vietnam is facing a lack of information and the programme will help Vietnam remove this weakness. Mr Cotier said he hopes that Vietnam will use the capital effectively.

At the seminar, AFD proposed concentrating on the following areas: institutional strengthening for the development of exports through training sessions for provincial and technical ministry staff; support for the strengthening of the agri-food sector from production to marketing and training for the development of exports; and support for the development of tourism and eco-tourism activities integrating elements related to the local craft industry in remote regions with a diffuse population.