Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at a working session of the Inter-sectoral Steering Committee for International Economic Integration in Hanoi on July 20, 2020. (Photo: Tuan Anh/ baoquocte.vn)

Mr. Minh, who is also head of the Steering Committee, said the primary goal of international economic integration right now is to boost economic recovery and promote sustainable growth.

He said it is imperative to encourage businesses to fulfil commitments, propose solutions to improve the competitiveness, and support businesses in trade defense. At the same time, relevant ministries and sectors should devise plans to speed up negotiations of additional FTAs and promote market and partnership diversification in the context of the COVID-19 epidemic.

The Deputy Prime Minister asked that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and other relevant ministries and agencies work together to implement ASEAN integration tasks in 2020, and elevate Vietnam’s international prestige by putting forward initiatives and realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

In addition, he said, the designated ministries and agencies should foster Vietnam’s contribution to multilateral economic cooperation mechanisms like APEC and the WTO.