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Vietnam
>> Regional Overview >> Vietnam Overview Program Data Sheet
440-006
USAID PROGRAM: Vietnam
PROGRAM TITLE: Trade and Investment (Pillar: Economic Growth, Environment, and Trade)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Enhanced Environment for Trade and Investment, 440-006
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $5,450,000 DA
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $6,950,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: Under this Strategic Objective, USAID provides assistance to the Government of Vietnam (GOV) to meet its commitments under the recently ratified (December 2001) U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and to strengthen the Vietnamese private sector. USAID’s trade and investment activities include—
- technical assistance in identifying, sequencing, implementing, and monitoring necessary trade and investment reforms to meet the GOV’s commitments in the BTA;
- technical assistance in international commercial law and trade policies to both the public and private sectors to promote Vietnam’s integration to the global economy;
- support for the newly-established Business School of the National Economics University (NEU) to advocate trade and investment reform in Vietnam.
Inputs, Outputs, and Activities: FY 2002 Program: USAID provides funding for the newly launched "Support for Trade Adjustment and Reform" (STAR) program. Successful implementation of this U.S. Government program will require reforms in trade policy, law, and procedures, as well as capacity building to improve implementation of the new laws on a sustained basis. The technical assistance will focus on Vietnam’s commitments to the Bilateral Trade Agreement, which covers trade in goods and services, intellectual property, investment relations, business facilitation, and transparency. Specifically, the funds will be used to develop a project strategy and a work plan for year one, which proposes a set of specific technical assistance activities. Experts will be hired on long- and short-term bases to initiate legal and procedural reforms that help the GOV meet the extensive compliance requirements for the BTA. Initial activities will include legal analysis to identify laws and regulations inconsistent with the BTA; drafting new legal documents; training and policy seminars; and other public outreach activities.
USAID anticipates continuing activities with the U.S.-Vietnam Trade Forum that will a) mobilize U.S. private sector concerns, issues, and recommendations regarding specific laws and regulations being modified under the BTA; b) support study tours of Vietnamese officials being sponsored by other U.S. Government agencies to learn how the United States implements specific legal and regulatory policies under the BTA; c) sponsor partnership between U.S. private sector and nongovernmental organizations and similar Vietnamese organizations that will support BTA implementation; and d) mobilize assistance available through U.S. private organizations that supports BTA implementation.
USAID will continue to undertake planned activities to strengthen capacity of National Economic University’s Business School, through a grant to Boise State University (BSU). BSU will build academic and applied research capacities of the Business School by developing a strategic direction that will ensure the School’s ability to offer high quality, competitive education, training, and research in the context of BTA implementation and WTO accession requirements. Specific activities include development of new training courses on trade and investment; completion of the MBA course and Ph.D. curriculum; and preparation of a strategy to build linkages between the NEU Business School and the business community, potential donors, regional and U.S universities, and government organizations.
Planned FY 2003 Program: As the STAR program proceeds, USAID plans to direct technical assistance to advance reforms that require more time to phase-in. USAID may place greater emphasis on a) policy advice and impact analysis of the cost and benefits of policy changes; b) institutional capacity building and training both at national and provincial levels; and c) support for reform, including development of a monitoring and evaluation plan. USAID will continue its partnership with the U.S Vietnamese Trade Forum. USAID will also provide assistance in the areas of private sector development, such as microfinance, finance-sector development, competitiveness, and business incubators.
SUBMISSION OF THIS PROGRAM DATA SHEET CONSTITUTES FORMAL RENOTIFICATION OF USAID’S INTENT TO OBLIGATE FY 2002 RESOURCES FOR THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE. Performance and Results: USAID assistance will help the GOV obtain full compliance with the terms of the BTA by producing three key results: a) adapting GOV laws and policies to comply to BTA terms; b) building institutional and skill capacities in Vietnam to implement and enforce the
new laws and policies effectively; and c) enhancing broad government and public understanding and support for the trade and investment reforms related to the BTA. USAID expects that the program will fundamentally change the business environment in Vietnam and help Vietnam conduct business in compliance with international trade norms and procedures. Since the BTA was signed in July 2000, Vietnam has identified necessary laws and regulations to ensure compliance, and assigned a primary Vietnamese government body responsible for each commitment in the BTA.
USAID has assisted in identifying changes in laws, regulations and practices necessary for Vietnam to comply with the BTA. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID’s activities are implemented through the U.S Vietnam Trade Forum, Boise State University, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (prime), with Baker and McKenzie (sub); Development Alternatives, Inc. (sub); and The Service Group, Inc. (sub).
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
440-006 Enhanced Environment for Trade and Investment DA ESF Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 835 1,239 Expenditures 717 1,239 Unliquidated 118 0 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 5,982 0 Expenditures 462 0 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 6,817 1,239 Expenditures 1,179 1,239 Unliquidated 5,638 0 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 0 0 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 5,450 0 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 5,450 0 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 6,950 0 Future Obligations 0 0 Est. Total Cost 19,217 1,239
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
