Want to be in the loop?
subscribe to
our notification
Business News
VIET NAM RATIFIES ASEAN TRADE IN SERVICES AGREEMENT
The Government issued Resolution No. 131/NQ-CP dated October 18, 2021 ratifying the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement (ATISA).
The Government tasked the Ministry of Planning and Investment to take prime responsibility and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies in organizing the implementation of the agreement.
ASEAN has pursued services liberalization since 1995, by expanding the scope and coverage of its commitments in the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS) that was used to guide services liberalization.
The shift from AFAS to ATISA in 2019 is envisaged to advance services liberalization, and ultimately closer regional economic integration, because of the adoption of the “negative” listing approach which assumes that all sectors are liberalized unless otherwise specified.
The agreement affirms ASEAN’s commitment to free and open trade and regional economic integration, against the present multifaceted challenges of trade tensions, global pandemic and economic uncertainties.
The agreement mandates ASEAN Member States to transition their existing Schedules of Commitments under the AFAS based on a positive list approach, into Schedules of Non-Conforming Measures based on a negative list approach within specific timelines.
There are three sectoral annexes under the ATISA, namely; Annex on Financial Services, Annex on Telecommunication Services; and Annex on Air Transport Ancillary Services. These annexes include sector-specific obligations intended for deeper commitments and strengthened regulatory cooperation.
When fully implemented by all ASEAN Member States, the ATISA will make up the third and final part of the “troika” of ASEAN Agreements, along with the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA). These agreements seek to improve ASEAN’s economic and sectorial integration.
Services is an increasingly important sector in ASEAN economies, accounting for 50.6 percent of ASEAN’s GDP in 2019.
Source: VIR
Related News
VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT
CHINESE INVESTORS SEEK INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN BAC NINH
Many Chinese investors are accelerating their plans to expand investment and increase their presence in Bac Ninh by proposing new projects in key sectors such as high technology, electronics, AI, and digital infrastructure. Several large enterprises are also encouraging long-term investment plans in the locality. In late May, a delegation of Chinese enterprises met the province’s leadership to discuss policies related to energy storage, AI computing infrastructure, power supply capacity and industrial park resources.
TECHNOLOGY
VIETNAM POSTS SECOND-HIGHEST AI ADOPTION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Microsoft noted that AI adoption in Vietnam has increased stably from 21.2 per cent in the first half of 2025 to 26.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2026. In Southeast Asia, Vietnam trails behind Singapore at 63.4 per cent. Meanwhile, Vietnam outperformed most Southeast Asian peers in AI adoption, including Malaysia (21.8 per cent), the Philippines (20.1 per cent), and Thailand (12.4 per cent).
TECHNOLOGY
VIETNAM AIMS FOR 10 STRATEGIC TECH FIRMS WORTH $1 BILLION BY 2030
The plan, unveiled on June 17, seeks to drive the development of digital infrastructure, workers, data, strategic technologies, and cybersecurity during the 2026-2030 period. Under the scheme, large-scale strategic technology companies must meet several criteria simultaneously, including annual revenue of at least $1 billion and an average workforce of no fewer than 5,000 employees.
MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS
LG INNOTEK EXPANDS SEMICONDUCTOR INVESTMENT IN VIETNAM
Vietnam continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for high-tech manufacturing investment. Most recently, LG Innotek signed an investment agreement with Hai Phong City to develop a new semiconductor substrate manufacturing facility, marking the company's first semiconductor substrate production project in Vietnam.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
HCMC APPROVES MAJOR PROJECTS WORTH VND155 TRILLION
The HCMC People’s Council has approved a series of major transport and urban redevelopment projects under public-private partnership (PPP), with preliminary investment estimated at nearly VND155 trillion. Resolutions passed at the closing session of the council’s third meeting for the 2021-2026 term on June 19 included two flagship transport projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
CAN THO EYES TRANSFORMATION INTO A MODERN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS HUB
With its extensively expanded economic space, Can Tho now possesses a range of strategic advantages, including an extensive road transport network with both north-south and east-west expressways; an inland waterway transport system; an international airport; a network of ports along the Hau River; a large concentration of industrial parks and agricultural and seafood processing facilities; and connectivity to the Mekong development corridor.
Events Sponsors
