Vietnam is ready for WTO negotiations with partners anywhere with full willingness and for the common interest", said Minister of Trade Truong Dinh Tuyen at a press conference on March 2nd during the closing ceremony of the national trade conference 2005.

The process of Vietnam's negotiations to enter the World Trade Organization (WTO) is going well with the completion of negotiations with Australia 2 weeks ago. The two sides officially signed the agreement on the same day.

The hottest issue now is that the Government has permitted the importation of second-hand automobiles into Vietnam (from May 1st), those less then 5 years old. The minister said that the Government did not want to make the decision but it is essential once Vietnam successfully becomes a WTO member. The ministry is a consultant agency for the Government together with the Ministries of Transport, Science and Technology and Finance, saying that the issue covers taxes, technology and quality standards, and the environment.

Unpredicted changes in the oil and petroleum markets in the world currently have been affecting production and business processes as well as the lives of people because Vietnam completely relies on imported oil and petroleum. At the moment, the Government is determined not to subsidize domestic oil and petroleum importers, and reduce its subsidization of mazut and diesel products step by step.

According to the minister, as regards Vietnam's footwear and garment textile exports, Vietnam is trying its best to enhance the added values of export products. He said that about 30-40% of the value of one export product comes from Vietnam. "In the near future, the country should increase its production of high added value items like veston, coat", added Mr Tuyen.

Moreover, the Vietnam minister reaffirmed that Vietnam is not subsidizing its leather shoe industry sector when he answered reporters about the anti-dumping case launched by the EU.

He also stressed the importance of Vietnam's integration into global and international organizations in the past. Vietnam will continue to use its competitive and comparative advantages in order to expand international markets as well as traditional ones.

Source: cpv.org.vn, 3/3/2006