On 6 September 2025, the Da Nang People’s Committee issued Plan No. 77/KH-UBND to improve the city’s performance in the Free Trade Agreement Implementation Index (FTA Index).
The Plan aims to improve the effectiveness of FTA implementation in Da Nang. It sets out specific tasks and measures to maintain strong performance in indicators and component indices while addressing areas where results remain modest. The objective is to achieve substantive and sustainable improvements in the implementation of international commitments. Through these measures, Da Nang aims to improve its FTA Index ranking and enter the nationwide top 10.
A key priority is to strengthen the communication and dissemination of FTA information throughout the local business community. The city will improve businesses’ awareness and understanding of FTA commitments, as well as their capacity to implement them, enabling enterprises to participate proactively and make effective use of the opportunities created by the agreements. Particular emphasis will be placed on training courses, workshops, conferences and thematic seminars tailored to different production and business sectors. These activities will respond to businesses’ practical needs and equip enterprises with the skills required to make more effective use of FTA preferences and comply with new regulations.
Municipal departments and agencies will proactively develop plans, propose measures and coordinate closely with central ministries and agencies to deliver effective communication programmes. The content will focus on areas in which businesses continue to face difficulties in accessing or applying information, including rules of origin, trade remedies, trade facilitation provisions, sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), and compliance with sustainable development standards relating to labour, the environment and social responsibility. The city also encourages the use of diverse communication channels, including newspapers, radio, television, social media and explanatory videos, to make information easier for businesses to access and understand.
At the same time, existing plans on international economic integration will continue to be implemented in a coordinated manner. These include the plan to implement the resolution on improving the effectiveness of international economic integration and promoting rapid and sustainable growth during the 2023–2030 period, as well as the implementation plans for the CPTPP, EVFTA, UKVFTA and RCEP. These activities will be integrated with relevant plans previously adopted by Da Nang and Quang Nam to ensure consistency, coordination and the efficient use of resources.
The development and adoption of business support policies will also be accelerated to strengthen competitiveness. In addition to financial assistance, these policies will encourage technological innovation, improvements in production processes and higher product quality. Sustainable development criteria will be incorporated into the support framework through measures such as green credit incentives, assistance with adopting environmentally friendly technologies and encouragement to apply internationally recognised environmental management systems. This is an important step in helping businesses expand their markets while meeting the increasingly demanding requirements of international partners.
The city will focus on strengthening its capacity for international economic integration through new-generation FTAs, identifying additional potential export markets and reducing dependence on a limited number of traditional markets. Selective participation in new international economic cooperation initiatives, networks and organisations will also be considered in line with the city’s conditions, capabilities and development orientation. To ensure effective implementation, Da Nang will promote regular dialogue between government agencies and the business community, enabling businesses to provide timely feedback, facilitating the prompt resolution of difficulties and encouraging their substantive participation in FTA implementation.
Based on the 2024 FTA Index benchmarks and their assigned responsibilities, relevant departments, agencies and local authorities must develop specific plans and measures or incorporate them into their regular professional duties. Within 10 working days of the Plan’s issuance, each unit must appoint a focal point to monitor and implement the Plan and submit the appointee’s full contact details to the Department of Industry and Trade. The Department will consolidate this information and establish a working group to support businesses in implementing FTAs. Agencies and units must work proactively and coordinate closely throughout the assessment process. They must report to the Municipal People’s Committee through the Department of Industry and Trade by 5 December each year or whenever an ad hoc report is requested. Heads of units will be directly accountable to the Chairperson of the Municipal People’s Committee for the results of the component indices associated with their assigned responsibilities.
The Department of Industry and Trade will lead and monitor the implementation of the Plan. By 15 December each year, it will consolidate the results and report to the Municipal People’s Committee, while incorporating the relevant information into annual reports on FTA implementation as required by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Municipal People’s Committee. The Department will also monitor and report on the annual FTA Index results published by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and promptly recommend appropriate adjustments to improve Da Nang’s performance in international economic integration.
Source: Da Nang City Portal