MSMEs usually focus on domestic markets and developing their business overseas is a challenge. By strengthening the export capacities of these MSMEs, this will realize job creation and sustainable development of the country and the ASEAN region” says Vu Lien Huong, Head of Division for APEC and International Economic Cooperation, Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) of Viet Nam, who was both the participant and the proponent of this project. Reflecting on the 3-day workshop, the most practical part was the exercise on Tariff Finder and Rules of Origin (ROO) when the participants were divided into groups according to category of export and studied how to define the Harmonized System (HS) code. She also learned from the training that innovation and digitalization of MSMEs is the key to kick start their business.

The Reference Guidebook for ASEAN SME Exporters published as one of the outputs of the project is a helpful tool for MSMEs that explains step-by-step procedures when they export their goods and services. Huong and her colleagues find the guidebook useful as a training material when MOIT implements similar workshops for the local MSMEs in Viet Nam. The guidebook is currently being translated into Vietnamese under the ministry’s own initiative and will be published on their website in 2020.

Hoang Thi Ngoc Mai, Deputy Head of APEC and International Economic Cooperation Division of MOIT, was impressed the most about the diversity of the workshop participants ranging from government officials to private sector and MSMEs-related associations. She found the session on how to best utilize existing FTAs in export for MSMEs informative. Inputs provided by the Japanese expert on regulations for imports and exports were especially eye-opening to learn about the high standard of quality control and how MSMEs of ASEAN can penetrate into the Japanese market. “MSMEs who participated in the training were very happy for informative sessions and they gave feedbacks requesting for similar workshops covering more technical and specific issues in the future”, she claims.

Dinh Thanh Son , Official of General Policy and Project Division of MOIT, reflects back that “my participation in the workshop gave me the opportunity to join the negotiation table of the Trade in Goods with partners like Japan.” Most notable event was the half-day site-visit to a local MSME that produces processed fruits and vegetables for exports to EU, USA, Japan and other countries. Observing how a local MSME actually operates in the field has broadened his views and changed his day-to-day involvement with his work. He also appreciates the chance to build network among the AMS, which he still maintains to exchange information when meeting with the focal points at ASEAN ministerial meetings.