Nguyen Van Giau, head of the National Assembly's Committee for Economic Affairs, speaks at the Autumn Economic Forum entitled “Vietnam's Economy: Integration and Sustainable Development.” (Source: VNA)

Vietnam’s achievements and missed opportunities in the reform process and international economic integration were reviewed at the Autumn Economic Forum entitled “Vietnam's Economy: Integration and Sustainable Development”. 

The event was jointly held in central Thanh Hoa province on August 27 by the Committees for Economic Affairs and External Relations of the National Assembly, the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the locality. 

The forum focused on reviewing Vietnam’s international economic integration since becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation, and bilateral commitments the country had signed or will sign. 

Speaking at the event, NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu reaffirmed Vietnam’s right policy of integrating into the global economy but pointed out many problems in the process such as weak competitiveness, slow administrative reforms, or limited human resources. 

He pointed to agriculture, industry, commerce and qualified human resources as important factors for Vietnam to integrate and develop sustainably. 

Truong Dinh Tuyen, former Trade Minister, said Vietnam has gone a long stride in integrating into the global economy but slow internal reforms cost Vietnam’s effort to seize opportunities arising from the integration process. 

According to Victoria Kwakwa, the World Bank’s country director in Vietnam, Vietnam has achieved achievements since integrating into the global economy and integration is a foundation for the country to attain stronger growth. 

Many opined that in order to have strong and effective representatives, enterprises need to be supported by the NA and Government in terms of mec🐎hanisms and helped to partic𒁃ipate in the policy- and law-making process.-VNA