To boost exports to the European Union (EU), a demanding market with strict regulations and standards, businesses have no choice but to develop a viable strategy, improve management and apply advanced technology. The recommendation was made by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh at a Hanoi seminar on June 19, examining EU requirements for imports. Khanh noted that approximately 42% of Vietnamese products currently enjoy the EU’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), however, when the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is signed, around 90% of products will be exempt from tax, opening a huge opportunity for Vietnam. One of the biggest challenges facing Vietnamese exports to the EU is anti-dumping measures from the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), and the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) agreement. Le Quoc Bao, former director of the TBT Office in Vietnam, said to overcome hurdles, businesses should gain a better understanding and update information about export markets. He proposed that State agencies build regulations and standards in line with international law. Nguyen Thi Quynh Nga from the Ministry of Industry and Trade said the EU market requires importers to meet strict technical regulations as well as laws related to time delivery and quantity. Businesses should digest information about FTA negotiations and complete regulations on country of origin (C/O) so as to enjoy incentives and make plans to take part in regional supply chains. To penetrate the market, domestic businesses should study the EU’s Food Law, regulations on brand names, packaging and food hygiene and safety, effectively apply management methods and ensure quality of products, said Le Thanh Hoa, Vice Director of the SPS Office in Vietnam. Last year, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and the EU surpassed US$33.7 billion, an increase of 16% against the previous year, of which Vietnam’s exports were worth US$24.3 billion, up 19%, and imports fetched US$9.4 billion, up 7.5%. In the first five months of this year, Vietnam’s exports to the market are estimated at US$11.62 billion, up 11.7%. The EVFTA has entered its eighth round of negotiations and is expected to conclude late this year. VOV