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UK in the Bloc: CPTPP expansion benefits all parties

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With the UK’s new access to CPTPP, the available Vietnam-UK free trade agreement, and the country’s strong fundamentals, Vietnam continues to stand out in the region, offering more preferential trade opportunities for its partners across the globe, write Ian Tandy, co-head of global trade solutions, Asia Pacific at HSBC and Surajit Rakshit, head of global trade solutions at HSBC Vietnam.

Ian Tandy, co-head of global trade solutions, Asia Pacific at HSBC. Photo courtesy of HSBC.

Ian Tandy, co-head of global trade solutions, Asia Pacific at HSBC. Photo courtesy of HSBC.

The UK’s accession to one of the world’s biggest free trade agreements can unlock further growth along the Asia-Pacific corridor including Vietnam.

One of the world’s biggest – certainly the most modern – free trade agreements has just gained its newest member: the United Kingdom formally joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on December 15, 2024.

The accession of the UK will take CPTPP’s members to 12, with the new entrant joining Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. With the UK in the bloc, it will account for about 15% of global GDP.

Having joined trade finance activities in both the UK and in Asia-Pacific, we have seen firsthand the scale of potential for increased trade and investment between the two markets.

The UK is a highly attractive trading partner for many of the other members – Asian members in particular will welcome the improved access to the world’s sixth-largest economy and its deep financial markets. And for UK businesses there are exciting potential benefits too, not least improved access to the region’s expanding manufacturing industries and its increasingly affluent and digitally-connected consumers.

Taken as a whole, the agreement marks a critical element in the UK’s relationship with the Asia-Pacific region, where more than half of global growth already originates.

Surajit Rakshit, head of global trade solutions at HSBC Vietnam. Photo courtesy of HSBC.

Surajit Rakshit, head of global trade solutions at HSBC Vietnam. Photo courtesy of HSBC.

A future-facing free trade pact

Older trade agreements have often had to grapple with the demands of modern economies, such as the shift in relative importance of services versus goods, and the particular dynamics of digital trade. But one big advantage of CPTPP is that it is designed precisely with these in mind.

That matters for the UK especially, given that the country is the world’s second-largest exporter of services. And digital trade – where businesses in the UK export services remotely to CPTPP countries – is also a substantial activity.

The CPTPP agreement, with its more manageable requirements in matters such as where data can reside, allows information to flow more easily between members.

It also points to significant growth potential: none of the CPTPP members currently ranks in the top 10 for UK services exports. Singapore – which acts as a gateway to ASEAN for many firms – stands out as one of the fastest-growing services markets for the UK, having grown by 147% from 2013 to 2023.

A boost from the CPTPP membership points to opportunities for a range of businesses, from financial services to logistics, as well the burgeoning ‘new economy’.

Goods still matter, of course. When CPTPP comes in force for the UK, the country’s exports of goods to member nations will be practically all tariff-free.

The UK government has assessed that the long-term boost to UK exports to CPTPP countries could total £2.6 billion. Many UK firms that lean into ‘Brand Britain’ – covering everything from cars and machinery to pottery and Scottish whisky – stand to benefit from improved access to CPTPP markets.

On the other side, the UK is also an important export market for Asian countries with a wide range of products such as fruits, seafood, rice, rubber, metals etc. In 2023, while Vietnam’s exports to other markets witnessed a drop, its exports to the UK increased by 11%. According to the data of Vietnam’s General Department of Customs, in 11 months of 2024, Vietnam’s exports to the UK continues to grow by 19,5% compared to last year.

The accession of the UK will take CPTPP’s members to 12, with the new entrant joining Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Illustration courtesy of the Vietnamese government's news portal.

The accession of the UK will take CPTPP’s members to 12, with the new entrant joining Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Illustration courtesy of the Vietnamese government’s news portal.

Simplifying supply chains

Entering new markets can often be challenging, and one of the most useful aspects of CPTPP is how its provisions take into consideration the concerns and challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in its member economies.

For larger businesses, one of the biggest benefits will be in relation to international supply chains. The pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties have demonstrated the need for ever-greater resilience when it comes to such links, and CPTPP will play an important role in smoothing the way for new improvements.

A big reason for that is the modern approach taken to rules-of-origin provisions in CPTPP, which allow contributions from all members to be aggrated. In other words, if parts of a product are made in five different CPTPP countries, thoseeg parts can collectively form the mandated CPTPP proportion of the final product.

It’s been pleasing to see that international firms’ intention to make use of the CPTPP is on the rise – up over 10% year-on-year according to the HSBC Global Connections survey in 2023. While that’s encouraging, there’s more to do for banks like HSBC, in partnership with policymakers, to explain in detail how specific provisions in the agreement can support business growth, especially for SMEs.

Vietnam in particular has benefitted from the implementation of CPTPP. Vietnamese enterprises now have more opportunities to access high-quality markets such as Japan, Canada, Australia, and now the UK.

Statistics from the General Department of Customs show that the total import-export turnover to CPTPP markets in the Americas soared by 56.3%, from $8.7 billion in 2018 to $13.6 billion in 2023.

In the same period, Vietnam’s exports to these markets nearly doubled, from $6.3 billion to $11.7 billion. Vietnam’s trade surplus in these markets also nearly tripled from $3.9 billion to $11.01 billion.

Into 2025, with the UK’s new access to CPTPP, as well as the available Vietnam-UK free trade agreement, thanks to all strong fundamentals that the country owns, Vietnam continues to stand out in the region, offering more preferential trade opportunities for its partners across the globe.

Now in its sixth year, the CPTPP is expanding to include the world’s sixth-biggest economy. The benefits all round could be set to multiply.

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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched

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Bac Giang International Logistics Centre was launched on April 22 with an investment of $168 million, and is expected to become a crucial link in the global supply chain.

Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launch

Being invested by CNCTech Group, Dolphin Sea Air Services Corporation and Thien An Investment JSC, the logistics centre is located on National Highway 1A, which boasts first-class warehouse supply to meet the growing demand in the northern Vietnamese market.

Its strategic position within the golden economic triangle of Hanoi – Haiphong – Quang Ninh provides convenient connectivity to industrial zones and key logistics centres via national highways No.1A and No.37.

The centre is designed to meet growing demand for logistics infrastructure from businesses in Bac Giang and neighbouring provinces, positioning the area as a new node in northern Vietnam’s logistics network.

The project is a strategic product as a key component of the logistics spearhead in CNCTech Group’s industrial and logistics infrastructure ecosystem. It has been approved by the prime minister as a national level-II logistics centre, covering a planned area of 67 hectares.

At the launch ceremony, Chairman of Bac Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Viet Oanh said, “In recent years, the province’s socioeconomic development has made remarkable strides. Transportation, urban, industrial, and social infrastructure have been synchronously invested in and have yielded high efficiency. However, the province’s logistics service sector has not yet matched its potential, advantages, and socioeconomic development level. The logistics system remains fragmented, transportation costs are high, and trade delivery times are prolonged.”

Recognising this bottleneck, the local authorities have focused on directing the robust development of the logistics system, incorporating it into the provincial plan. This includes developing eight comprehensive logistics centres covering nearly 500ha, three inland container depots, and 33 inland waterway ports.

“Bac Giang, with its strategic location between Hanoi and border provinces, has long been known as a dynamic industrial hub. The remarkable development of the province’s industrial parks has created a solid foundation for the establishment of Bac Giang International Logistics Centre. This centre is not only located on vital transportation routes such as Hanoi-Lang Son Expressway but also directly connects to major border gates, optimising the transport of goods from Bac Giang to the world,” said Oanh.

Bac Giang International Logistics Centre launched
A model of the logistics centre

The project is not merely a warehousing facility, but also a symbol of the integration of modern infrastructure and advanced technology. The centre includes multifunctional warehouse areas, customs-controlled warehouses, non-tariff warehouses, and automated warehouses, meeting the needs of various industries. Notably, it integrates end-to-end logistics solutions, supporting businesses in optimising transportation costs and enhancing production efficiency.

With a long-term vision, the centre aims not only to optimise domestic supply chains but also to become a key connection point in the global logistics network.

Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the Board of Members of CNC Tech Group, shared, “The establishment of this centre is a strategic step in developing Vietnam’s logistics infrastructure. We are committed to long-term and robust investment in this sector, as logistics is not just infrastructure but an indispensable part of enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses on the international stage.”

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Green engagement rides high in Vietnam

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Vietnam has taken strong action to promote green development among businesses, amid the country facing challenges in finance and technology.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam told the fourth Summit of the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G), organised last week in Hanoi, that Vietnam is focused on strategic breakthroughs to prepare for a national development process that is fast, inclusive, and sustainable.

Green engagement rides high in Vietnam
The summit in Hanoi covered areas from finance and banking to agriculture and technology Photo: Dung Minh

“We will strongly transform political commitments into practical actions, creating motivation for businesses and the whole society to participate in sustainable economic development, in which green institutions are the decisive foundation,” General Secretary Lam stressed at a hall attended by government leaders, UN representatives, diplomats, experts, and entrepreneurs.

General Secretary Lam also stressed that when it comes to green transformation, despite being a developing country with a transitional economy and limited resources, Vietnam has achieved some important results.

Besides making a 2050 net-zero commitment in 2021, Vietnam also endorsed six global initiatives at the time, on forest and land use, methane, clean power transition, sustainable food and agriculture, and more.

“Vietnam is now a leading country in supplying renewable energy in ASEAN, with wind and solar power capacity accounting for two-thirds of ASEAN’s total capacity,” he said.

“Additionally, Vietnam is also a good example of encouraging sustainable agriculture. The initiative to develop one million hectares of high-quality and low-emission specialised rice is a pioneering model that many partners and international organisations are interested in.”

A greener future

Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all multilateral mechanisms and major initiatives on green growth and energy transition such as the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the P4G.

“However, as a developing country with a transitional economy, we also face many challenges in terms of financial resources, technology, personnel, and resilience to the impacts of climate change and geopolitical fluctuations globally,” said General Secretary Lam.

The summit adopted the Hanoi Declaration, strongly affirming commitments to sustainable growth with people at the centre, and a determination to collaborate responsibly in addressing current global challenges. Vietnam is expected to enjoy continued support from the international community in its journey to a green economy including energy transition.

According to the World Bank, to ensure sufficient funding for responding to climate change, mobilising domestic finance is possible, but external support is needed.

Overall, Vietnam’s total incremental financing needs for the resilient and decarbonising pathways could reach $368 billion over 2022–2040, or approximately 6.8 per cent of GDP per year.

The resilient pathway alone will account for about two-thirds of this amount, as substantial financing will be required to protect the country’s assets and infrastructure as well as vulnerable people.

The cost of the decarbonising pathway will mainly arise from the energy sector – investments in renewables and managing the transition away from coal might cost around $64 billion between 2022 and 2040. All the figures are in net present value terms at a discount rate of 6 per cent.

This $368 billion in financing needs will include $184 billion from private investments or about 3.4 per cent of GDP annually, $130 billion or about 2.4 per cent of GDP annually from the state budget; and $54 billion or about 1 per cent of GDP per year from external sources.

Choi Youngsam, South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, said that within the P4G framework, South Korea and Vietnam have completed or are currently implementing joint projects in areas such as food and agriculture, energy, water, and urban development.

“Looking ahead, both sides are expected to broaden and deepen their partnership under the P4G framework,” he said.

At the P4G Summit held in Seoul in May 2021, the two governments signed the Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Response to Climate Change, laying a solid policy foundation for the implementation of international emissions reduction ventures.

“On this basis, I hope that South Korea will leverage its technological expertise and financial resources to carry out greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Vietnam, with both countries mutually recognising the results,” Ambassador Youngsam said.

“This would contribute to establishing a win-win model of emissions reduction cooperation. At the same time, I look forward to seeing active engagement from South Korean enterprises possessing green technologies, in close collaboration with the Vietnamese government.”

Encouraging developments

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Minh said at a policy dialogue on the sidelines of the P4G 2025 that the active participation and strong cooperation from stakeholders – from the public and private sectors to international organisations – can help materialise Vietnam’s aspiration of an efficient and sustainable innovative startup ecosystem.

“Innovation, creative entrepreneurship and collaboration are key to solving environmental problems, while encouraging the development of a circular economy,” he said.

Vietnam currently has over 4,000 innovative startups, including two unicorns valued at over $1 billion, 11 companies valued at over $100 million, more than 1,400 startup support organisations, 202 co-working spaces, 208 investment funds, and 35 business promotion organisations. Among these, it is estimated that around 200–300 companies focus on green transition, covering areas such as renewable energy, environmental technology, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosting the fourth P4G Conference is of great significance to Vietnam. It is aimed to boost its role as a good friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of P4G and the international community. Moreover, it is also aimed to reaffirm its commitment to sustainable development, energy transition, and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Besides that, it is aimed at contributing to raising awareness of international cooperation and encouraging the role and voice of developing countries in the sector of green growth and sustainable development.

Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister

For Vietnam, together with digital transformation, we identify green transition as an objective necessity, a key factor, and a breakthrough driving force to promote rapid growth and sustainable development. This aligns with the strategic goal of becoming a developing country with modern industry and upper-middle income by 2030, and a developed, high-income country by 2045, while also contributing to the gradual realisation of Vietnam’s commitment at COP26 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

From practical experience with initial positive results, especially in renewable energy, green agricultural development, and participation in multilateral mechanisms and initiatives on green transformation, as the host of the fourth P4G Summit, Vietnam has three suggestions for discussions which pave the way for further cooperation in the coming time.

First is to perfect green mindset, with a focus placed on the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation linked to green growth. This includes recognising that green resources stem from green thinking, green growth is driven by green transition, and green resources arises from the green awareness of people and businesses in nations and regions throughout the world.

Second is to build a responsible green community, in which, the government plays a guiding role, encouraging, and ensuring a stable and favourable institutional environment for green growth. The private sector functions as a core investor into technological development and the dissemination of green standards. The scientific community take the lead in developing green technologies and training green human resources. Meanwhile, citizens continuously enhance their green awareness, truly becoming beneficiaries of the outcomes of green transformation.

Thirdly, it is necessary to promote international cooperation and robust multilateral green cooperation models, particularly public-private partnerships, South-South cooperation, North-South cooperation, and multilateral cooperation frameworks. This is aimed at removing institutional barriers, enhancing access, and speeding up the flow of green capital, green technology, and green governance.

Developed countries should take the lead in fulfilling commitments to provide financial, technological, and institutional reform support. Meanwhile, developing countries would need to leverage their internal strengths and effectively utilise external resources.

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Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation

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Public-private partnerships are no longer a supporting mechanism, but a strategic pillar in the global pursuit of the green transition.

The high-level dialogue between government leaders and businesses at the 2025 P4G Vietnam Summit last week, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, brought together senior officials, global experts, international organisations, and private sector leaders.

They recognised that the climate crisis, digital transformation, and resource depletion are converging in ways that demand not only innovation, but deep and long-term collaboration between the public and private sectors.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed acknowledged Vietnam’s leadership in renewable energy, noting its potential to attract trillions in sustainable investment.

“Emerging economies must accelerate the adoption of new investment models, particularly those that align private capital with green infrastructure priorities. Governments must work with the private sector to expand ambition, strengthen accountability, and deliver real impact,” she said.

From Italy, Prime Minister’s Climate Envoy Francesco Corvaro stressed that public-private partnerships (PPPs) are indispensable in addressing climate finance gaps. Drawing from Italy’s experience, he underscored the importance of public investment as a risk mitigator, enabling private sector participation in clean energy and smart infrastructure projects.

“Public investment can unlock private capital, but local authorities must lead with clear priorities and long-term vision,” Corvaro noted. “You can’t talk about renewables, AI, or digital infrastructure without modern, resilient grids, and that requires strong public-private alignment.” he said

Alejandro Dorado, Spain’s High Commissioner for Circular Economy, argued that the case for stronger PPPs lies at the intersection of two accelerating forces: the environmental-climate crisis and a wave of disruptive technologies.

“In a world where AI, green technologies, and digitalisation are reshaping the global economy, the clock is ticking. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have less than a decade to prevent irreversible climate disaster. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum has identified biodiversity loss as one of the most severe economic risks,” he said.

Public-private partnerships a lever for greener innovation

Dorado added that while multilateralism is being questioned or weakened in some quarters, the need for cooperation has never been more urgent – both to solve environmental challenges and to harness the transformative potential of innovation.

“No government or business can tackle these crises alone. Public authorities must provide the regulatory frameworks, fiscal incentives, and infrastructure deployment needed at scale to safeguard the common good,” he stressed.

From the business side, Stuart Livesey, country representative of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), provided a frank but optimistic outlook. Livesey stated CIP’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s transition, but emphasised the need for enabling conditions.

“What we seek are clear, bankable projects underpinned by stable regulatory frameworks, collaborating with strong local partnerships. This is where public-private cooperation becomes not just helpful, but essential,” Livesey noted. “Over the next 10-15 years, the offshore wind sector and green energy consumers will trigger massive demand for new technologies, digital solutions, and skilled labour.”

To meet this demand, CIP is investing not only in infrastructure, but also in capacity building, research and development, and local supply chain development through partnerships with Vietnamese universities.

Still, he acknowledged barriers. “Technological application and innovation in green projects face challenges, from long-term financing constraints and skilled labour shortages to fragmented policy signals. These are not unique to Vietnam, but they require proactive, tailored local solutions,” he said. “Addressing issues such as grid availability, regulatory clarity, and inter-ministerial coordination will be critical.”

Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, stated that the banking sector is ready to facilitate green finance, particularly in sectors aligned with national climate targets.

“We see ourselves as a bridge between global capital and local sustainability goals. The clearer the pipeline of bankable, climate-aligned projects, the faster we can move capital,” he noted. “What’s crucial now is consistency in policy and coordination among stakeholders to ensure these projects reach maturity.”

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