British official in Vietnam to boost accession to CPTPP
Minister of State Greg Hands of the UK Department for International Trade arrived in Hanoi on February 1 for high-level trade talks on how the UK joining of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will boost the economic firepower of the world’s most dynamic trade bloc, according to the British Embassy.
Minister of State Greg Hands of the UK Department for International Trade (L) meets with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh on February 1. (Photo: British Embassy in Vietnam)
Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of State Greg Hands of the UK Department forInternational Trade arrived in Hanoi on February 1 for high-level trade talkson how the UK joining of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will boost the economic firepower of the world’smost dynamic trade bloc, according to the British Embassy.
Vietnamwas the first leg of his three-day Asia-Pacific tour, which also includesMalaysia and Singapore. The visit aims to promote the UK’s engagement in the CPTPP, ofwhich Vietnam is a founding member.
It wasalso an opportunity to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK - Vietnam diplomatic relationsand discuss the thriving bilateral trade relationship, which has increased12.4% over the last year and is valued at 5.9 billion GBP (7.3 billion USD),the embassy noted.
With the next round ofCPTPP negotiations coming soon, the minister expressed the UK’s desire to finaliseaccession at the earliest opportunity.
Speakingof his visit, Minister Greg Hands said: “Joining CPTPP will add even moreeconomic firepower to this exciting and dynamic trade alliance, adding 2trillion GBP to CPTPP’s GDP.”/.
There remains potential for Vietnam and the UK to tap the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and expand bilateral trade ties, said Ngo Chung Khanh, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Multilateral Trade Policy Department.
The British Embassy in Vietnam on December 14 officially announced a logo to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (September 11, 1973 - September 11, 2023).
The British Embassy in Hanoi and UNICEF on December 29 handed over 500,000 GBP (over 602,000 USD) in life-saving equipment to the Ministry of Health to assist recovery of Vietnam’s health system.
The People’s Committee of Cao Phong district in the northern province of Hoa Binh, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, RYB Joint Stock Company and Cao Phong One Member Ltd, Co., on January 5 held a ceremony to mark the first shipment of seven tonnes of Cao Phong orange to the UK.
UK pharmaceutical exports to Vietnam witnessed a strong growth rate of 32% in the first nine months of 2022, according to British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
According to Mastercard data, Vietnam has recorded a remarkable 92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in contactless transaction volume from Q4 2022 to Q4 2024.
Tuan expressed his confidence that LH, with its expertise and experience, would swiftly implement the urban area project, contributing to a modern urban landscape for the province.
With its strategic location, abundant workforce, and modern infrastructure, Vietnam holds significant potential to become a leading centre for power and electronics production in the region and the world.
The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.
A notable trend is the shift toward satellite regions. With land scarcity and soaring prices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, investors are eyeing provinces like Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong, which are benefiting from improved technical infrastructure and transport connectivity.
To further strengthen private-sector innovation, Bac Ninh plans to accelerate administrative reforms, build a digital, service-oriented government, and develop an integrated innovation ecosystem that connects businesses with domestic and international institutions, universities, and experts.
The participation of H&M, one of the world's largest fashion corporations, in Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in early September is considered a special highlight, opening up many cooperation opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in the fashion, textiles and sustainable supply chains.
This latest order builds on a previous agreement signed at the Singapore Airshow last year for 40 engines, bringing the total number of Trent 7000 engines ordered by the airline to 80.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien acknowledged that despite concerted efforts by ministries and local authorities in combating fake and substandard goods, the situation remains highly complicated, attributing the persistent challenges to high profits luring numerous participants, increasingly sophisticated violations, limited resources within enforcement agencies.
The group also placed among the Top 5 energy companies in Southeast Asia and secured the top spot among the largest Vietnamese enterprises featured on the list.
The zone will cover 1,881 ha, comprising functional areas for production, logistics, trade and services, digital technology industry, information technology, and innovation.
Dung underlined several key objectives, including a comprehensive review of the legal framework governing SOEs, and called for updates that reflect international standards and support modern, transparent governance.
While the US market has become more difficult to access due to new tax policies, Australia could play the role of a trade cushion, helping to reduce shocks and maintain export momentum for Vietnam's shrimp industry.
Vietnam Cycle Expo 2025 will coincide with the Vietnam Sport Show 2025, an international exhibition on sports and outdoor entertainment, expected to attract more than 20,000 visitors in the three-day event.
Minister of State Greg Hands of the UK Department for International Trade (L) meets with Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh on February 1. (Photo: British Embassy in Vietnam) 
