Developing Border Trade: International experience and implications for Vietnam
On 27th September 2016, VNU University of Economics and Business (UEB) held an international conference entitled "Developing Border Trade: International experience and implications for Vietnam" with the participation of over 80 delegates, researchers and scholars from state ministries, departments, universities and research institutes.
The conference is part of the project "Study and proposal of solutions to develop and manage the trade (goods and services) in the Northwest border" (KHCN-TB.18X / 13-18) under the State-level program for sustainable development at the Northwest (Northwest Program). Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) supported the UEB in organizing the conference.
Attending the conference, there were Mr. Dang Huy Dong - Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, representatives of the National Border Committee - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Central Economics Commission; Mr. Hans Georg Jonek - National Director of FNF, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Hong Son - Rector of the UEB and Dr. Nguyen Anh Thu - Vice Rector. The conference also attracted the attention of numerous researchers and scholars in the field of international trade, border trade... from many universities and research institutes at home and abroad.
Opening the conference, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Hong Son expressed gratitude to the Northwest Program and FNF for accompanying the UEB in organizing the conference. He also introduced to the participants the objectives and research topics that are being deployed by the UEB. The rector also expressed a desire to receive support and contribution from experts to improve the quality of research, therefore contributing to the development of the Northwest.
Delivering speech at the conference, Mr. Hans Georg Jonek expressed gladness when the FNF supported the UEB in organizing conferences on this interesting research field.
At the conference, the participants listened to discussions of Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ha Van Hoi - Dean of Faculty of International Business and Economics, UEB; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Ruth Banomyong from Thammasat University (Thailand); Dr. Nguyen Van Hoi - Deputy Director of Mountainous and Border Trade Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade, sharing experiences in managing and developing border trade in America - Mexico, America - Canada, the experience of Laos, China and Thailand.
The discussions focused on a number of issues such as border trade management policy; particularities of border trade, including trade in goods and services; the priority fields for development of border trade etc. Subsequently, scholars gave lessons for Vietnam in building models of development and effective management of this activity, particularly in the Northwest. The conference received contributions and comments from scholars and experts. At the same time, the experts also shared, commented and added opinions on international experiences in the development of border trading activities as well as experiences in strictly managing issues such as food safety, quarantine, smuggling etc., towards sustainable development in border areas, thereby improving life quality of residents in border areas.