In the morning of December 12^th 2012, at the Hotel Rex, National Committee for International Economic Cooperation, WTO Center City in collaboration with the Department of Trade HCM City Business Association held Workshop on "International Economic Integration - Leverage for exports to FTA partners and the region - Case Korean market".

The workshop aims to update information on the unfolding impact of international economic integration, especially the impact on the open market in the Free Trade Area Agreement (FTA), the operation of import and domestic market of Vietnam, especially the business community, State departments and organizations.

Achievements over 20 years of integration on the commercial aspects, attract foreign investment and ODA capital, competitiveness of business and legal changes, economic institutions... are undeniable. Mr. Nguyen Van Nam, former Director of the Trade Research Institute also pointed out the problems exist in the process of integration are macroeconomic instability; enterprise system weaknesses; administrative management is troublesome and not effective. In the new context, economic integration must be a combination of the government and local businesses to all the effective penetration into international markets.

The most attracting content in the conference is the Rules of Origin of goods in the ASEAN - Korea Agreement (AKFTA). Mr. Ho Quang Trung, (Director, Department of International Cooperation - Ministry of Industry and Trade) has instructed the detailed provisions relating to simple-origin goods and complex-origin goods. He recommended that Vietnamese enterprises should pay attention to the issue of matching the requirements about providing documents to the customs office, participating actively in the comments for negotiating the rules of origin Agreement between Vietnam and Korean, and studying the rules of origin.

Sharing the experiences of import to the Korean market, representatives of VASEP has provided information on the status of Vietnam's seafood exports to the Korean market, the products that we have the strength, the need to focus attention and the seafood export trend in the future. In addition, representatives of the Kem Nghia noted that Vietnamese businesses are encouraged to participate in international trade fairs to expand business opportunities. He also emphasized the importance of the Business Associations, trade unions in supporting businesses to promote trade promotion.

The workshop is an opportunity for the staff working in state of international economic integration and export enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding area to get more useful knowledge about the advantage of the free Trade Agreement with South Korea to boost exports and search marketing.