VAFIE holds executive committee meeting, steps up policy engagement

The Vietnam's Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) on Friday held its fourth executive committee and inspection committee meeting for the current term, outlining plans to deepen policy engagement and expand international cooperation.

The meeting, held in Phu Tho province, was attended by members of the executive and inspection committees.

At the event, the association's Secretary General Ha Ba Tuan said 2026 marked the beginning of a new development phase, driven by deep and extensive institutional reforms, including the rollout of a two-tier local government model and implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress and the country's socio-economic development strategy for 2026-2030.

The two-tier local government model features city/provincial and ward/commune levels, with the district level removed.

In this context, VAFIE has taken a proactive approach since the start of the year, achieving progress across multiple areas, he said.

The association has remained active in contributing to the drafting and refinement of legal and regulatory frameworks, with its legal and business support boards providing feedback on draft legislation and conveying recommendations from the business community.

VAFIE has also supported member companies including Vapco, Samsung, Sojitz, Cai Lan International Container Port, and Hyundai in addressing issues related to taxation, customs procedures and investment activities.

Its policy input has focused on areas such as trade, taxation and customs, helping to resolve issues involving import duties, value-added tax refunds, corporate income tax, on-the-spot import-export transactions and the global minimum tax, as well as land lease payments.

On international cooperation, VAFIE has engaged with business delegations from China, South Korea, India, Switzerland and the Middle East. It has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Arab Business Council and is pursuing additional agreements with global partners to expand its investment network.

The association has also stepped up investment promotion activities, including surveys of industrial zones in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Phu Tho together with Foen Group, and preparations for an investment forum in Beijing scheduled for June 1.

Workshops and business networking events have continued to expand, including a recent tax seminar in Danang and a recent logistics investment event in Ho Chi Minh City, attracting more than 60 domestic and foreign firms.

Looking ahead, VAFIE plans to collaborate with the Ha Tinh province Tourism Association to organize events promoting winter tourism in north-central Vietnam, alongside thematic workshops and business matching activities.

Membership growth has remained steady, with 48 new members in 2024, 47 in 2025 and nine added so far in 2026.

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At the meeting, former VAFIE chairman Prof. Nguyen Mai called for stronger accountability within the association, regular policy dialogue with government ministries and a review of existing cooperation agreements to improve implementation effectiveness.

Participants agreed on priorities for the first half of 2026, including continued contributions to the legal framework, enhanced business support, expanded investment promotion, and the publication of an annual foreign direct investment report.