The second component of the EC-funded Multilateral Trade Assistance Project III (MUTRAP III) will provide US$1.7 million for between 8 and 10 projects to strengthen the capacity of trade policy building for Vietnamese business associations and universities. The Delegation of the European Commission (EC) to Vietnam held a meeting with representatives from business associations and universities in Hanoi on November 12 to invite tenders for the component. The project package aims to turn business associations into effective consultants on trade policies and market access issues for the government. It will also help universities to improve the standards of their teaching and research regarding trade policies and laws.