PM highlights commercial counsellors’ role in boosting exports Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung speaks at the 2016 Commercial Counsellor Conference (Source: baochinhphu.vn) Hanoi - Commercial counsellors should work as a bridge to help Vietnamese businesses boost exports and promote their products abroad, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The Government leader spoke at the 2016 Commercial Counsellor Conference that opened in Hanoi on February 26. He urged the counsellors to take every opportunity to remove trade barriers and limit anti-dumping lawsuits. The counsellors should provide more information about their host countries to Vietnamese businesses, protect their interests and propose expanding their list of export items in each individual market, he said. Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said the conference aims to popularise guidelines of the 12 th National Party Congress on increasing foreign trade activities at a time when Vietnam is integrating deeper into the regional and world economies. The event is expected to help Vietnamese businesses maximise opportunities afforded by free trade agreements to which the Southeast Asian country is a signatory, the official added. At the same time, the conference helps the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) tighten its coordination with other ministries, agencies and localities to fulfill the Government’s economic development targets, he said. The minister suggested the counsellors make proposals to the Government, the Prime Minister, ministries, agencies and localities while working with businesses to seek solutions. Delegates at the event heard reports on the foreign market, foreign investment in Vietnam and Vietnam ’s overseas investment. They also debated issues regarding international economic integration, trade promotion, competitiveness, international cooperation in industry, energy and agriculture, as well as measures to spur the country’s exports. Hailing commercial affairs offices’ contributions to the success of the industry and trade sector, MoIT Deputy Minister Tran Tuan Anh suggested they focus on export promotion. The offices should target promising markets, attach more importance to the industrial sector and make the best use of opportunities brought about by the integration process, he said. Within the framework of the conference, the delegates had a working session with representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to discuss how to lure more foreign investments in the farming sector and promote produce exports.-VNA