Vietnam, US to Hold TIFA Talks Soon

Vietnam and the US will shortly hold talks for a trade and investment framework agreement, according to a recent United States Trade Representative (USTR) Agency press release.

 

The March 19 press release showed optimistic spirits for further trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and the US, and said that Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem and USTR Susan Schwab agreed in Washington on March 16 to open TIFA negotiations.

 

The release quoted Susan Schwab as saying that Vietnam has a dynamic economy and rapid growth rate, and TIFA will be a basis for the two countries to deepen trade and investment ties. TIFA will also be a tool to monitor implementation of the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement as well as WTO commitments.

 

TIFA will be discussed under the Enterprise for ASEAN Initiative program, launched by the Bush administration, aiming to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian nations that play important roles in terms of strategy and trade. (Pioneer, Liberated Saigon)