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Vietnam Closes WTO Negotiations with
Three Latin American Countries
Vietnam and Argentina signed an agreement on concluding their bilateral negotiations on the former's bid to join in the World Trade Organization (WTO) before President Tran Duc Luong left Buenos Aires yesterday. This was the third accord on the matter when Luong made his trip to three Latin American nations from November 16-23. The first two were signed with Brazil and Chile. While staying in Argentina, Luong and his host President Nestor Kirchner agreed to push up research and development (R&D) on agriculture, biotechnology, IT and the peace use of nuclear energy among others. They pledged to further increase bilateral trade while working for new opportunities for businesses from the two countries. They also expected the two governments would successfully hold the second bilateral economic consultations next year. Luong held talks with President of Senate Daniel Scioli and head of the Lower Congress Eduardo Camano. Vietnam and Argentina posted their two-way trade value at $152.12 million last year while the number was reported at $75.02 million in the first eight months in 2004. Around 40 local entrepreneurs accompanied Luong on the eight-day visit. They focused on industries such as oil and gas, electronics, telecommunications, garment and textile, industrial construction, plastic, medicine, rubber, cement, fruits and vegetables, rice, fertilizer and seafood. This is the third time the president has gone abroad this year. He made his first trip to Bangladesh and Pakistan in March and the second to Russia, Hungary and the UK in May. (The People Nov 24 p1, Pioneer Nov 24 p13, Vietnam Economic Times Nov 24 p1, Youth Nov 24 p16) |
