Following is an interview between Sai Gon Giai Phong and Deputy Trade Minister Luong Van Tu, head of the Vietnamese delegation for WTO entry, about the accession process.
SGGP: Could you tell us the results from the talks with New Zealand?
Mr. Luong Van Tu: Viet Nam and New Zealand started bilateral talks in September 2002 and have gone through more than ten rounds. During a round in Ha Noi in December 2005, the two sides reached agreements in opening the goods market and cutting taxes. The agreements for the service sector were reached in the latest round in January 2006. During the bilateral talks, the two sides made various concessions in many fields based on the two countries’ friendship and economic cooperation outlook, as well as on the fact that Viet Nam is a developing country that is reforming its economy.
As the two countries concluded their bilateral talks, what do you think about Viet Nam’s WTO accession bid in 2006?
Viet Nam has only three countries to continue bilateral talks namely the US, Australia and Mexico. Honduras and Dominica also require negotiations. Viet Nam does not have trade ties with the two countries but must respect their rights to negotiations.
Viet Nam and the US have made considerable progress via a negotiation round in Ha Noi also in January, paving the way for the next round in March in Geneva. This event promises high possibility for Viet Nam to join the WTO this year.
What would you say about the next round with the US in March, 2006?
This will be a decisive round to solve existing matters between the two sides. The conclusions with New Zealand will support Viet Nam because talks with New Zealand covered tough matters in agriculture. Viet Nam made it, so I expect good results with other countries. If Viet Nam concludes talks with the US and other partners in the first half of 2006, Viet Nam will complete all WTO accession negotiations this year. I would say that the WTO destination is very close now, and Viet Nam needs to preparations for its membership as soon as possible to tap good chances in export and attracting foreign investment.
How about Australia and Mexico?
Viet Nam is seeking to address existing gaps with Australia and Mexico, not many in fact, and mainly in the service sector. Australia does not require talks, so the two sides just exchange documents. When reaching an overall agreement, the two sides will conclude their negotiation process.
In recent years, trade between Viet Nam and New Zealand has increased by an average of 35-40% per year. Two-way trade reached US$190 million last year and is expected to increase to US$200 million this year. New Zealand is a founder of the WTO and has influences on WTO policies. |
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