Chile and Vietnam argee to start free trade negotiations in a bid to deepen the trade relations between the two countries, according to a statement by Chilean President Michael Bachelet in Sydney.
Chilean President Bachelet and Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet met on the sidelines of 15th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, slated from September 6-9 in Australia’s Sydney, and decided to begin a round of talks for the FTA soon.
The Chilean leader reinstated Chile’s support for Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 term, and particularly recognized Vietnam as a full market economy.
On the occasion of her visit to Vietnam last November, the two countries signed a protocol on FTA signing.
Chile aims to become the trade and investment platform for Asian countries in Latin America and has sought several trade deals to that end.
Among other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Chile has signed FTAs with Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and Thailand.
The bilateral trade between Vietnam and Chile has constantly increased over the past three years, hitting US$161 million in 2006. The figure is predicted to reach US$300 million in 2010.
Vietnam mainly exports footwear, tea, coffee, garments, civil electric and electronic products, handicrafts, equipment, canned fruit juice, canned food and children’s toys to Chile, while importing fish powder, electric technical equipment, wood and pulp, fish oil, chemical products, salmon, fresh fruit and wine from the Latin American nation. (Thanhnienonline)
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