In his speech at the seminar, the EC representative said that Vietnamese businesses had observed international standards governing the quality of their products, especially in strict markets such as Japan, the US and the EU.

He suggested that in addition to standards governing quality, domestic firms should focus on the safety and security of goods throughout the exporting process.

Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) vice chairman Doan Duy Khuong agreed that compliance with international standards was crucial to the existence and development of local businesses.

Participants at the seminar discussed a number of issues relating to quality control in international trade, requirements of importing nations, challenges posed by different nations’ legal systems and infrastructure and the ability of businesses to meet them.

Co-organised by the VCCI, the Directorate for Standards and Quality, the National Fisheries Quality Assurance and the Veterinary Directorate, the event was part of the EC’s technical assistance programme supporting Viet Nam’s transition to a market economy which began in 2005 and will run until April 2009.