Speech by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan

Thu, 08/07/2003 - 10:43



WTO Seminar, Hanoi Aug 5-6, 2003

Ladies and Gentlemen:

First of all, on behalf of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I would like to highly appreciate the initiative of New York Life International and U.S. – Vietnam Trade Council, and other significant Vietnamese agencies, to cooperate in organizing this seminar on the relevant topic of Vietnam acceding membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

President of USVTC: "Say No to any sanction against Vietnam"


The US Vietnam Trade Council (USVTC) is a US organization which has a great deal of contributions to the development of economic and trade relations between the two sides, back to the days they negotiated the Bilateral Trade Relation (BTA) to date. Lao Dong Newspaper’s reporter interviewed Ms. Virginia Foote, President of USVTC, about the necessity of the accession to the WTO for the business of US and Vietnamese companies.

- Ms. Foote, what are the benefits of joining WTO for Vietnam?

The winding road to WTO more difficult each day

Wed, 08/06/2003 - 10:29


VietNamNet – At the Moving towards WTO membership workshop on August 6, Demetrios J. Marantis, legal chief advisor of the Vietnam–US Trade Council said that Vietnam should accelerate its accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) because the path will become increasingly difficult. In addition, after the Doha round, new conditions for WTO membership may be set.

VN sets sights on WTO entry by 2005

Wed, 08/06/2003 - 10:22



HA NOI — Viet Nam is accelerating its negotiations to join the World Trade Organisation by 2005 to ensure greater access to overseas markets, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar about Viet Nam’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Khoan said the membership move would benefit enterprises and consumers, as well as restructure the whole economy.

Local shrimp exporters urged to reduce heavy reliance on America

Wed, 08/06/2003 - 10:21

The Sai Gon Times Daily
August 6, 2003


America's Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) a coalition of eight southern and eastern seaboard states may file legal action against foreign shrimp exporters, including of Vietnam, said Deputy Fisheries Minister Nguyen Thi Hong Minh.

Speaking at a conference of shrimp exporters in HCMC on Saturday, she said the best way to deal with the situation was to "cut shrimp shipments to the U. S. market."

"I am on the side of the poor farmer in Vietnam"

Dear Sir,

I am a Vietnam Veteran but I am not a senator. I do, however, think that what is happening regarding the catfish from Vietnam is terrible. I know that the Vietnamese people are an industrious people filled with honor and pride. I know this because I have been to Vietnam on two occassions. Once as a soldier and once as a visitor or tourist. Both times I was in Vietnam I was treated with dignity and respect. I applaud the Vietnamese people.

Viet Nam actively contributes to ASEM activities, says FM

Fri, 07/25/2003 - 17:00


(07/25/2003 -- 22:42GMT+7)

Jakarta, July 25 (VNA)- Viet Nam, in its capacity as a coordinator and the host country of the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Summit in 2004 "has been making active contributions to ASEM's activities," Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien told the press in Bali, Indonesia, where he attended the fifth ASEM foreign ministers' meeting on July 23-24.

The `Free Trade' Fix Is In

The New York Times, July 25, 2003

The United States government has just added a final flourish of hypocrisy to its efforts to crush the Vietnamese catfish industry under a mountain of protectionism. The Vietnamese, after doing well enough to capture a fair share of the American market, have been declared trade violators deserving permanent, prohibitive tariffs by the United States International Trade Commission.

US keeps hefty tariffs on Asian partners


By Edward Alden in Washington
Financial Times; Jul 24, 2003


The US hit hard at two of its key Asian trading partners yesterday by locking in place hefty import tariffs on semiconductors from Korea and catfish from Vietnam.

The US International Trade Commission ruled unanimously in both cases that low-cost goods from the countries were hurting US competitors, which means tariffs imposed earlier this year will remain in place.

Vietnam eases foreign ownership rules

Thu, 07/24/2003 - 17:51


By Amy Kazmin
Financial Times; Jul 22, 2003


Vietnam has eased restrictions on foreign ownership of listed companies as part as an effort to stimulate interest in the country's three-year-old equity market.

Prime Minister Phan Van Khai approved an increase in the foreign ownership of listed companies to 30 per cent, addressing a Vietnamese legal anomaly that allowed foreign investors to hold up to 30 per cent of unlisted enterprises, but capped their holdings in listed firms at 20 per cent.

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