Vietnam told to lift trade

Vietnam told to lift trade

PHUKET, Thailand (Reuter): Southeast Asian nations have told Vietnam it must lift barriers to trade and liberalize its economy in preparation for joining ASEAN in July, officials said on Thursday.

Philippine trade and industry undersecretary Cesar Bautista told reporters the Association of Southeast Asian Nations wants Hanoi to observe guidelines outlined under the regime of the new World Trade Organization in its trade with all six current members of the regional group.

"They have to undertake certain things," Bautista said. "We want them (the guidelines) uniformly to all members of ASEAN." ASEAN comprises the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

An Indonesian official said the group also wants a firm commitment from Vietnam that it would honor all economic agreements, including plans to lower trade barriers in the region, once it joins the group.

Officials are gathered on the Thai resort island of Phuket ahead of a April 28-29 meeting of ASEAN economic ministers. Bautista said ASEAN has formed working groups to facilitate Vietnam's joining the grouping.

The working groups will brief Vietnam on ways to open up its markets to increase trading links with other ASEAN members.

Vietnam, with a population of more than 70 million people, will become the second largest ASEAN member after Indonesia.