EFTA-Vietnam free trade talks put forth HCMC - Switzerland has proposed Vietnam hold free trade talks with the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) which consists of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein. Leuthard said education and training were also prioritized in Switzerland's cooperation with Vietnam. She also proposed setting up an air link between Vietnam and Switzerland to further develop their fine commercial, investment and travel cooperation. Nhan, who was in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum last week, said at a dialogue with some 30 world business leaders on the sidelines of the forum in Davos, said Vietnam would continue administrative reforms to create a better investment climate and an equal playing field for businesses. A market with a population of 86 million is big enough for foreign companies and a stepping stone for them to expand into Southeast Asia with 600 million people and free trade areas which are under way between ASEAN and China, Japan and South … [Read more...] about EFTA-Vietnam free trade talks put forth
Trade talks
Study shows free trade talks with EFTA can start
Study shows free trade talks with EFTA can start By Thu Nguyet - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) grouping Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein can start talks on a free trade agreement this summer as conditions have now turned feasible, according to a study unveiled at a seminar here on Tuesday. The Joint Study Group, which was set up last year to look at the feasibility of an FTA between Vietnam and EFTA, concluded on Tuesday that the potential is high for the agreement after reviewing existing bilateral economic linkages between the sides, such as trade in goods and services, and investment. A report on the study is being sent to Vietnam’s government, as well as relevant agencies of EFTA. Authorities of the two sides will make decisions to start negotiations on a potential FTA, according to the seminar at the Sofitel Plaza Saigon hotel. The potential FTA is expected to cover a wide range of issues, such as … [Read more...] about Study shows free trade talks with EFTA can start
Green growth a part of Vietnam-EU trade talks
Green growth a part of Vietnam-EU trade talks Thuy Dung By Thuy Dung - The Saigon Times Daily HANOI – Negotiations between Vietnam and the European Union over the free trade agreement (FTA) will include the highest incentives for companies making investments in green technologies, green growth and green commodities, EU sources said on Wednesday. Jacques Bouflet, minister counsellor and head of the trade and economic affairs section at the Delegation of the EU to Vietnam, said that there would be a chapter on green growth in the FTA under negotiations between the two sides. He was speaking at a press conference in Hanoi on Wednesday to introduce Green-Biz 2013, which comprises a conference and exhibition on the green solutions scheduled to take place on September 19-20 at the Hanoi-based Melia Hotel. Green growth will be an important chapter in the FTA. The chapter will mention solutions for entities to obtain priorities through credit supporting programs or credit subsidies … [Read more...] about Green growth a part of Vietnam-EU trade talks
New catfish inspection program will survive trade talks: U.S. officials
Negotiations for a massive Pacific trade deal will not sink plans for a new U.S. catfish safety inspection program despite protests that it may hurt an increasingly popular Vietnamese seafood import, U.S. officials told Reuters. Vietnamese negotiators have raised objections to the planned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program in the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, calling it a non-tariff trade barrier. And U.S. catfish farmers have expressed concerns that the more rigorous inspection regime would be watered down during final negotiations. The plan, not yet finalized, would transfer catfish to the USDA from the Food and Drug Administration, which has safety responsibility for all other seafood. But U.S. officials told Reuters that the catfish program would not be changed in the trade deal's food safety chapter, which is essentially completed and considered "stable text." "The catfish statute is the law of the land. USDA is working toward a final rule, and … [Read more...] about New catfish inspection program will survive trade talks: U.S. officials
China hopes TPP trade talks are transparent; open to joining
China said on Friday it hoped U.S.-led Asia-Pacific free-trade talks would be transparent and China would be open to joining them, playing down controversy over competing U.S. and Chinese visions for regional trade. Ministers from 12 countries negotiating a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact will meet in Beijing over the weekend to discuss the deal ahead of a gathering of leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. But China, which is not party to the TPP negotiations, is promoting a different free trade plan, the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, instead of the more comprehensive, Washington-backed TPP. Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang acknowledged the significance of the TPP and said China was watching closely. "TPP will have a far-reaching and profound impact on international trade. This must be admitted. Therefore, we are paying great attention to the progression of TPP talks," Shen said. The TPP is widely seen as the economic backbone of U.S. … [Read more...] about China hopes TPP trade talks are transparent; open to joining