The National Committee for International Economic Cooperation is an agency attached to the Prime Minister; has its own seal bearing no national emblem shape, for use in administrative transactions.

The Committee is composed of a Deputy Prime Minister as its Chairman; the Trade Minister as its Vice-Chairman; a Vice Minister of Trade as its Secretary General and also head of the Government�s delegation for international economic-trade negotiations; and representatives of the concerned ministries and branches as its members.

The National Committee for International Economic Cooperation has the following principal tasks and powers:

- To advise the Prime Minister on the Government�s undertakings, policies, strategies, plans and programs for international economic integration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Europe Meetings (ASEM) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC); on negotiations for the joining and activities in the World Trade Organization (WTO) as well as other international and regional economic-trade organizations.

- To advise the Prime Minister on deciding the general negotiation undertakings and plans, which shall serve as basis for working out negotiation plans of ministries and branches, and direct the Government�s delegations for international economic-trade negotiations as well as negotiations for joining international and regional economic-trade organizations.

- To assist the Prime Minister in organizing the coordination of activities of ministries, branches, localities and enterprises in international economic integration process; urge and inspect the implementation of the Government�s undertakings, policies, strategies, programs and plans, the Prime Minister�s decisions and the fulfillment of Vietnam�s commitments to international economic integration, as well as the efficient protection of Vietnam�s legitimate rights and interests in international economic integration process; adjust, supplement and perfect the system of the national economic and trade laws and policies to make them compatible with the regulations of international and regional economic-trade organizations which Vietnam has joined.

- To monitor and evaluate international and regional situation; report to the Prime Minister on new theoretical and practical matters in international economic relations, lessons and experiences of other countries in the process of joining international and regional economic and trade organizations; propose undertakings, policies and mechanisms in order to expand external economic relations, enhance economic and trade cooperation with other countries and international organizations, and fulfill Vietnam�s international economic integration commitments.

- To coordinate with the concerned ministries and branches in carrying out the ideological work, disseminating and propagating the international economic integration.

- To perform other tasks assigned by the Prime Minister.

This Decision takes effect after its signing. To annul the Prime Minister�s Decision No. 31/1998/QD-TTg of February 10, 1998 establishing the National Committee for International Economic Cooperation.- (Summary)