Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and led the ceremony at the Government’s headquarters, while Pham Thanh Ngai, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, participated from the provincial venue. Representatives from various departments, agencies, and businesses also attended the event in Ca Mau.
Pham Thanh Ngai (on the far right), Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province, receives a Certificate of Merit from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (third from the left) at the Government’s headquarters. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA.The FTA Index is an assessment tool that measures the capacity of provinces and cities to implement commitments made under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). It is a quantitative, objective, and comprehensive tool that helps the government and relevant agencies evaluate how well localities are implementing and utilizing FTAs. This enables the identification of bottlenecks in the process and the development of targeted solutions to enhance the effectiveness of policies related to production and international trade at all levels of government.
Developed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the FTA Index focuses on four main criteria: The level of access to FTA-related information for businesses; compliance with domestic regulations stemming from FTA commitments; the effectiveness of programs and policies that support businesses in leveraging FTAs; and the implementation of sustainable development commitments at the local level. The index also recognizes the challenges faced by businesses. The total score for each locality is calculated based on a 10-point scale for each criterion, with a maximum possible score of 40.
In 2024, for the first time, the FTA Index was surveyed nationwide, and Ca Mau earned a distinguished position. Despite being located far from central hubs and facing infrastructure challenges, Ca Mau has actively seized opportunities arising from FTAs with a strong spirit of innovation and integration. In 2024, Ca Mau ranked first in the country with a composite FTA Index score of 34.90 points. The following provinces ranked as follows: Thanh Hoa (34.13 points), Binh Duong (34.02 points), Khanh Hoa (32.92 points), Tra Vinh (32.74 points), Long An (32.50 points), Ha Giang (32.46 points), Bac Lieu (32.43 points), Ninh Binh (31.74 points), and Dien Bien (31.72 points).
Pham Thanh Ngai, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province, speaking at the Government's headquarters. (Screenshot).In his speech at the ceremony, Pham Thanh Ngai, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province, emphasized that in recent years, Ca Mau has actively implemented measures to effectively leverage new-generation FTAs. The province has established an International Integration Steering Committee and issued action plans that clearly define responsibilities for various units and localities. Every year, specialized conferences are held to update information and assist businesses in adapting their production and business strategies to global market trends. Simultaneously, the province has launched several business support programs, including technical consulting, technological innovation, trade promotion, and efforts to resolve practical challenges faced by local businesses. Market connectivity has been strengthened through major events such as the first Ca Mau Shrimp Festival, trade promotion conferences, and business networking between local and international companies. These efforts have contributed to the positive outcomes reflected in the recent FTA Index survey, which highlights significant progress within the local business community. This is viewed as a driving force for the province to continue enhancing its mechanisms, improving integration effectiveness, and capitalizing on the opportunities offered by FTAs in the future. However, the province also faces challenges, particularly with the United States - its major export market recently imposing a 46% tariff on goods imported from Vietnam. In response, the Provincial People's Committee has swiftly engaged with businesses, associations, processors, and shrimp farmers to reassure them, advising against panic selling. The Committee also encourages businesses to diversify markets and prepare appropriate strategies to manage this situation.
With the attention and support of the Party, State, and Government, Ca Mau is focusing on strategic infrastructure development to create a strong impetus for attracting investment. During this forum, Ca Mau's leadership warmly invited both domestic and international investors to explore long-term cooperation and development opportunities in the province. The province is committed to continuing its partnership with businesses, driving strong reforms, maximizing its potential, and targeting over 8% growth in 2025, with the goal of achieving double-digit growth in the years that follow.
Delegates attended the conference at the provincial venue in Ca Mau.During the ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, presented Certificates of Merit to localities that achieved outstanding results in the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in 2024.
In his speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised the Ministry of Industry and Trade, various ministries, sectors, and localities - especially Ca Mau - for their proactive approach to implementing FTAs. He also expressed gratitude to international organizations, partners, and friends for their support in developing the FTA Index, a crucial tool for enhancing Vietnam's prestige and improving the business and investment environment. He emphasized that integration must go hand in hand with strengthening the country’s internal capabilities. While exports remain a key driver, Vietnam must seek additional growth engines and expand its export markets to other promising countries and regions.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to deep, substantive, and effective international integration, underpinned by the development of a self-reliant economy. Vietnam is open to cooperation with all countries, based on goodwill, mutual development, and shared prosperity for its people. By 2045, Vietnam aims to become a developed country with high income, where its citizens enjoy a prosperous and fulfilling life.
Minh Trang
