Professional Documents
Culture Documents
COURSE TITLE:
International
Economics
COURSE CODE
ECO– 601
Monitor: Prof. Svetlana Mitereva
[Final Assignment]
UBIS
Dec, 2020
Executive Summary
During my MBA at UBIS, I plan to start-up a career in Food and Beverage Service
after completing the course. Specifically, it will open a chain of restaurants specializing in
cocoa drinks, and at the same time use this brand to promote the production of cocoa
products such as chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa butter ...
In the content of this report, I will not detail my start-up project, but focus only on
cocoa agricultural products related to the free trade agreement EVFTA. The reports of the
following subjects will be presented by me related to each part of this start-up project, and
upon completion of the course will link the report content of each subject into a complete
direction for the project- my start-up project.
Acknowledgement
I would like to extend a special thanks to the IBM Institute, my family members and
my dearest friends, who supported me from beginning to end in this essay.
Best regards,
Table of Contents
4. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 17
Reference ................................................................................................................................ 19
List of Figures
It can be affirmed that ASEAN is the first integration step for Vietnam to enter the world
economy. After 25 years of joining ASEAN, Vietnam, from a slow-growing economy, with a
per capita income of less than 300 USD in 1995, has now joined the group of developing
countries with an income of 3,000 USD/person.
Moreover, Vietnam has become the gateway for the European Union (EU) to come to
ASEAN through the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
The EVFTA Agreement was started and ended the negotiation in the context of the
increasingly well-developed bilateral relationship between Vietnam and the EU, especially in
the economic-trade field. The EU is currently one of the leading trade partners of Vietnam
with two-way turnover in 2019 reaching 56.45 billion USD, of which exports reached 41.5
billion USD, imports from the EU reached 14.9 billion. USD. The EVFTA is a
comprehensive, high-quality, and balanced agreement of interests for both Vietnam and the
EU, which has also taken into account the gap in development levels between the two sides.
The EU has started to negotiate an FTA with the ASEAN region since 2007. However, in
2009 the negotiation was stopped. Regarding bilateral relations with each ASEAN country,
the EU is now complete negotiate FTA with Singapore, basically end FTA negotiations with
Vietnam and is negotiating an FTA with Thailand and Malaysia. The EU is currently
Vietnam's second largest trading partner. Highlights in the import-export structure between
Vietnam and the EU is a huge complement, less direct competition.
As for Vietnamese exports, as soon as the Agreement comes into effect, the EU will
eliminate import duties on about 85.6% of tariff lines, equivalent to 70.3% of Vietnam's
export turnover to the EU.
After 7 years from the date of entry into force of the Agreement, the EU will eliminate
import duties on 99.2% of tariff lines, equivalent to 99.7% of Vietnam's export turnover. For
the remaining 0.3% of export turnover, the EU commits to give Vietnam a tariff rate quota
with the import tax in the quota of 0%.
Thus, it can be said that nearly 100% of Vietnam's export turnover to the EU will be
eliminated from the import tax after a short journey. So far, this is the highest level of
commitments that a partner for Vietnam in the FTAs has been signed. This benefit is
especially meaningful when the EU is continuously one of the two largest export markets of
Vietnam today.
Research by the Ministry of Planning and Investment shows that if commitments on tariff
reduction and non-tariff are fully implemented, Vietnam's economic growth will be improved
in the short, medium and long term. EVFTA is expected to contribute to the GDP increase at
an average rate of 2.18 to 3.25% (for the first 5 years of implementation), 4.57-5.30% (for the
next 5 years) and 7.07-7.72% (for the 5 year period thereafter).
In general, EVFTA will contribute to diversifying our market so that we do not depend
too much on any one market, thereby helping to ensure the economic security of Vietnam.
In the context of trade uncertainty, the EVFTA Agreement is considered a bright spot in
the roadmap for Vietnam's economic recovery. Up to the present time, Vietnam is emerging
as one of the successful countries in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, as one
of the few countries that are reopening their economy, Vietnam has also become a model for
other countries to follow.
- Abbreviation: JJSC
- Address: HCMC
Production activities: Food and Beverage Service, production and trading of cocoa
products: cocoa powder, cocoa butter, chocolate ...
Vision: To become a leading cocoa brand - Food and Beverage Service in the
world. Open a global cocoa chain and offer premium cocoa related products.
Mission: Providing high quality cocoa products to consumers; Bring jobs to many
farmers; Raising the level of Vietnamese agricultural products.
Competitors:
- Vietnam Cocoa Joint Stock Company (Vietnamcacao - Vinacao) operates in the field
of manufacturing cocoa products in Vietnam. Keep domestic rate 40% and 60%
export. However, Vinacacao products according to subjective assessment are not
really attractive in terms of taste, price ...
- Marou Chocolate. Many famous overseas magazines and blogs such as Le Nouvel
Observateur (France), ChocolateReviews.co.uk, or more recently the New York
Times and Nikke have given countless praise to the so-called chocolate. This "world's
best". However, Marou only focuses on chocolate production, but the cultures of
Southeast Asian countries, especially Vietnam, do not really use as much chocolate
every day as in Europe and America
The International Cocoa Council (International Cocoa Council) has ranked Vietnam in
the group of cocoa growing countries with good cocoa products.
After the 2013 Quality Cocoa Award in France, Vietnamese cocoa has just been included
in the list of the world's top good flavored agricultural produce countries recognized by ICC.
Thus, Vietnam has become the 23rd country to be ranked in this list out of a total of about 60
countries in the world producing cocoa. Apart from Vietnam, only one other Asian country
on the list is Indonesia. The rest are countries in America and Africa.
Countries classified by the International Cocoa Council in the list of producing good
cocoa are also evaluated specifically by the Council for the ratio of cocoa production meeting
the above standards. Accordingly, Vietnam has 40% of cocoa production achieving good
taste.
Compared with Indonesia, the proportion of good flavored cocoa in Vietnam is much
higher, as this rate of Indonesia is only 1%. But compared to most of the countries in the list,
the percentage of good flavored cocoa in Vietnam is still quite modest, because there are 10
countries with 100% good taste, many countries have a ratio of 75 - 95. %, the rest of some
countries have the same percentage of flavored cocoa, slightly higher or lower than Vietnam,
such as Belize 50%, Honduras 50%, Panama 50%, Guatemala 50%, Dominican Republic
40% and Sao Tome and Principe 35%.
Being classified in high quality countries with good taste will definitely help Vietnam's
cocoa export to be more favorable.
Opportunity : Vietnam's rice and coffee industry has already developed in agriculture,
only the cocoa industry has almost nothing. European and North American markets
consume 3-4 million tons of cocoa / year, but they cannot grow.
Difficulty : The industry is young so cocoa has not been ranked among the items with
price and interest support support; The weak market purchasing power due to the
instability of the world economy and cocoa is not an essential product.
In the scope of the report, I focus on analyzing the terms that directly affect my business
For Vietnam's exports: As soon as the Agreement comes into effect, the EU will
eliminate import duties on about 85.6% of tariff lines, equivalent to 70.3% of
Vietnam's export turnover to the EU. After 7 years from the date of entry into force of
the Agreement, the EU will abolish import duties on 99.2% of tariff lines, equivalent
to 99.7% of Vietnam's export turnover. For the remaining 0.3% of export turnover,
the EU commits to give Vietnam a tariff rate quota with the import tax in the quota of
0%.
Thus, it can be said that nearly 100% of Vietnam's export turnover to the EU will be
eliminated from the import tax after a short journey. So far, this is the highest level of
commitment a partner gives us in the FTA agreements has been signed.
Rules of origin: General rules of origin; Specific rules of origin for certain goods.
Trade and sustainable development: The two sides affirmed their commitment to
pursuing sustainable development, including economic development, social
development and environmental protection.
Although cocoa is a tropical crop, however, chocolate is consumed the most in cold
countries like Europe.
For Example:
Sweden: The chocolate industry exists and thrives, with each person eating an
average of 6.4 kg/year.
UK: People in the land of fog have a lot of love for chocolate. According to Mintel's
survey, 1 out of 6 people eat chocolate every day. Nearly 73% of the population
supports pure chocolate.
Ireland: According to a report, the value of the chocolate market in Ireland is 677
USD. Each person here consumes nearly 8 kg/year.
Switzerland: A trip to Switzerland is not complete if you do not taste the attractive
chocolate bars. Not only tourists, people love this dish. One resident can eat nearly 9
kg of chocolate per year, leading the world in chocolate consumption. Here, visitors
will have the opportunity to visit the Cailler factory, the oldest and most famous
chocolate brand in the country.
Agriculture is one of the very potential areas in which Vietnam and the EU can promote
cooperation. Vietnam can take advantage of such advantages as technology in agricultural
cultivation. On the other hand, EU consumers are also very fond of Vietnamese agricultural
and aquatic products such as tea, coffee, cocoa, spices ... In fact, up to now, the amount of
agricultural products imported into the EU Vietnam is still low. However, this output is also
increasing, especially with the expectation that EVFTA will be implemented in the near
future.
Cooperation between the EU and Vietnam has brought benefits to both sides. The EU's
ordering of agricultural products can create a stable source of income for Vietnamese
farmers, they can also apply advanced farming technologies from the EU towards more
sustainable.
The most obvious benefit for Vietnam after the EVFTA is ratified and takes effect is that
Vietnamese products become more attractive, thanks to the reduction of tariff barriers in
short, Vietnamese goods. The South will become more competitive than goods from other
countries that do not have an FTA with the EU. But as I mentioned earlier, the EU has very
strict standards on imported goods to protect their consumers, so it is important for
Vietnamese businesses to understand the agreement and its policies rules for exporting goods.
However, the EU has always taken the rules-based free and fair trade very seriously.
Therefore, as long as Vietnamese products can meet the requirements of EVFTA such as
Rules of Origin (ROO), GI, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), Vietnamese
enterprises will have Huge opportunity to thrive in a high-income market with over 500
million consumers.
Opportunity:
- The EU consumes a lot of cocoa products. However, the EU cannot grow cocoa.
- In 2013, the award for best cocoa in Asia-Pacific region in Paris (France) has
ingredients from Vietnamese cocoa beans. World processors classify Vietnamese
cocoa in the group of high quality countries such as Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Brazil. In
2015, the World Cocoa Organization (ICCO) put Vietnam on the list of the world's
top cocoa producing countries.
- As the only country in Asia to grow and export fermented cocoa (newly made
chocolates), if not only for making flour or other lower-end products, Vietnam is
expected to be a major cocoa exporter in the region. Thanks to its prime location to
meet the demand for fermented cocoa beans for chocolate producers
- In terms of exports, though, the EU is currently one of the export markets Vietnam's
largest, the market share of Vietnam's goods in this region still very modest, because
of the competitiveness of Vietnamese products (especiall price competitiveness) is
still limited. So if deleted to over 99% tariff under EVFTA, businesses will have
many opportunities increase the price competitiveness of goods when imported into
the region this important market.
Challenge:
- Rules of origin requirements can be difficult to meet: Usually goods If goods want to
enjoy preferential tariffs under the FTA, the raw materials must satisfy corresponds to
a ratio of a certain internal content (exported material origin in EU and/or Vietnam).
This is a big challenge for entrepreneurs industry because raw materials from China
are very cheap. If other competitors use this material and cannot be exported, it could
affect the entire cocoa export industry in Vietnam.
Our company is a young, inexperienced Start-up. Therefore, the company will focus its
strength on the differences between Vietnamese cocoa and the world.
Vietnam has a very unique type of cocoa, it has a fruity and mildly sour flavor that is
difficult to find. This is the factor that can help Vietnam become a unique product, occupying
an interesting niche in the world. With such potentials, what needs to be done now is how to
exploit it effectively
Currently, the chocolate industry is consuming more than 4 million tonnes of cocoa beans
from around the world, with chocolate consumption increasing an average 5.7%. If major
markets like the EU and the US impose stricter regulations, the door to countries with
sustainable supply chains will open. The demand for a sustainable cocoa source is growing
strongly and Vietnam can respond while other countries struggle to comply.
Indonesia, the world's third largest cocoa producer, has reduced cocoa production since
2010 due to bad weather and aging trees. As a result, some farmers switch production to
crops such as corn, rubber or palm oil. Ghana, the second largest cocoa supplier in the world,
looks to Asia and especially China. To boost cocoa production, the country is trying to find a
$ 1.5 billion loan from China's Eximbank.
In order to take full advantage of the opportunities that EVFTA offers, I think that there is
plenty of room for value-added cocoa industry, so companies need to promote deep
processing. Must strictly comply with regulations on technical barriers as well as food
hygiene and safety committed in FTAs in general and EVFTA in particular.
Besides, focus on raw material areas. Farmers' support must also shift towards sustainable
farming, achieving international certification; there is a close coordination and connection
between domestic enterprises and between domestic enterprises and distributors in the EU,
thereby increasing the value of cocoa exports.
The EVFTA Agreement will help establish a stable and long-term export market. With
the volatile world situation causing disturbances in the supply chain in recent years, the
formation of the largest free trade area in the world under the EVFTA will create a stable
export market. for long-term policies for Vietnam, thereby contributing to the implementation
of the company's export-oriented production policy.
3. Proposed Solution
Strengthen in-depth research into international trade law; understand and prepare to deal
with trade barriers in foreign markets.
For the cocoa industry, the government needs to develop an appropriate motivation
mechanism. Currently, the tariff is relatively clear. However, tariffs and other barriers need to
be monitored continuously to provide adequate protection and incentives for businesses, but
not to violate Vietnam's commitments under international agreements.
For companies:
- Market: Join with the world's leading corporations to learn from experiences and seek
markets new schools in other countries.
- Increasing support for farmers to the maximum, ensuring clean raw material areas,
meeting international standards.
Products: Constantly improving and improving product quality. Investigate carefully the
characteristics of each market to meet appropriate needs.
Disseminate knowledge about EVFTA's regulations for exported goods down to each
department to m
Access from the beginning of international standards and certification to avoid having to
change production lines when export standards to EU cannot be metinimize risks.
Focus on product quality, not product price. This is the best strategy to prepare the
conditions for a new contest. Exporting traditional goods must go with efforts to minimize
the risks that may arise.
In the long run, JUVENTAS should be aware that only diversifying cocoa products
(making a difference) and increasing competitiveness through price, ensures sustainable
exports. This process takes a lot of time, but now JUVENTAS needs to start with specific
programs and actions. A firm's export competitiveness in the long run can only be enhanced
when firms value it primarily and have a deep understanding of the market.
4. Conclusion
The opportunities that EVFTA brings will go hand in hand with the difficulties and
challenges that the companies face when implementing the Agreement. Therefore, in order to
make the most of the opportunities offered by the EVFTA Agreement, while at the same time
strictly enforcing the EVFTA regulations, care should be taken to have a strategy, plan and
equipment ready for development. company development in new market conditions and trade
landscape with the EVFTA Agreement.
The Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU (EVFTA) is considered a bright
spot in the roadmap for economic recovery in Vietnam. Thus, the EVFTA Agreement will
bring Vietnamese businesses the opportunity to penetrate the European market, a large
market with about 500 million consumers. On the contrary, Vietnamese consumers also have
access to European innovative and high quality goods and services. EVFTA also contributes
to promoting trade, investment, economic growth of Vietnam and making this country an
attractive destination for European investors in Asia.
Cocoa Vietnam also faces another great opportunity as the worldwide demand for cocoa
products is increasing. In addition, Vietnam is the only country in Asia to export fermented
cocoa beans and has a strategic position to meet the demand for fermented cocoa beans for
chocolate manufacturers ... Currently, Vietnamese cocoa Exporting hundreds of tons of nuts
to the world market, including difficult markets like Japan. These are good premises for the
development of cocoa trees in the future.
On the company side: Although it is a start-up project, it can be seen more clearly through
the report that the long-distance strategy for the business is. Details of other company issues
are summarized in the following course reports. However, within the scope of this ECO
report, the company has a more comprehensive view. If you want to develop into an
international business, you need to invest in product quality from the very beginning to meet
future export standards. Through EVFTA, businesses also better understand the company's
advantages when exporting.
Reference
An overview on the cocoa industry of Vietnam, Ph.D student, Master. Bui Thanh Giang
https://haiquanonline.com.vn/nong-nghiep-viet-lam-gi-de-huong-loi-tu-evfta-
129153.html
https://www.sggp.org.vn/phat-trien-ca-cao-tiep-can-moi-297303.html
https://trungtamwto.vn/fta/199-viet-nam--eu-evfta/
http://evfta.moit.gov.vn/