No new WTO target date for Vietnam<\/p>\n
HANOI: Vietnam, which has failed to clinch accords to enter
\nthe World Trade Organization (WTO) by its self-imposed deadline
\nof December, will not set a new target date, a top leader was
\nquoted on Saturday as saying.<\/p>\n
\"Now we think that we will not set a date. When we meet
\nappropriate conditions, we will join as soon as possible,\" Deputy
\nPrime Minister Vu Khoan said in remarks carried by several
\nVietnamese language newspapers.<\/p>\n
Vietnam is under no formal pressure to join the WTO by the
\ntime the global trade body holds its next ministerial meeting in
\nHong Kong in December but Hanoi had until recently held that date
\nas target.<\/p>\n
The communist nation has unfinished business in the form of
\nbilateral agreements which it must sign with all WTO members who
\nwant them. Some trading partners, including the United States,
\nhave yet to put pen to paper.<\/p>\n
\"If we cannot join this year, it's not our fault. We exert
\nmaximum efforts but are not prepared to accept just any price,\"
\nKhoan said. \"We cannot accept things that may break our economy.\"<\/p>\n
The United States notably wants Vietnam to take action on
\ncertain import taxes, safeguard intellectual property rights and
\ngive foreign companies larger access to markets from telecoms to
\ntourism, insurance and banking.<\/p>\n
Washington is also concerned that Vietnam has failed fully to
\nimplement the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral trade agreement struck five
\nyears ago.<\/p>\n
\"The government has ordered a more improved offer to better
\napproach the U.S. requirements,\" Khoan said. \"Of course the
\nnegotiation process depends on the partner, but we are determined
\nto push it forwards.\"<\/p>\n
Vietnam formally applied for membership in 1995. Its progress
\nhas since been hindered by infighting within the ruling communist
\nparty, the 1997 Asian financial crisis and rampant corruption.<\/p>\n
Actual negotiations started only in 2002. -- AFP<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-new-wto-target-date-for-vietnam-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }