UK-Vietnam bilateral trade and investment up for discussion at trade talks
Consultation prior to the forthcoming trade talks offers the opportunity for UK business to raise market access issues.
Ambassador Antony Stokes and Vietnamese Vice Minister of Industry and Trade Ms Ho Thi Kim Thoa signed the minutes of meeting of the UK-Vietnam Joint Trade Committee in 2012.
The seventh annual UK-Vietnam bilateral trade talks will take place in November 2013 in Hanoi. In preparation UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the British Business Group Vietnam (BBGV) are asking for feedback and suggestions as to which priority matters should be raised during the discussions.
This is an opportunity to shape the agenda for the seventh UK-Vietnam Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). UKTI and BBGV would like to hear about the market access issues that British companies face in Vietnam, specifically:
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What are your greatest concerns about doing business in Vietnam and how could they be addressed?
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Do you have specific recommendations for bilateral initiatives that could be undertaken to improve the business climate?
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What could you or your company offer to support such initiatives?
While it will not be possible to include all issues in the talks UKTI/BBGV would be pleased to explore other channels to raise concerns if appropriate. Feedback is welcome throughout the year.
Background on JETCO
JETCO was established in 2007 to identify and address issues relating to bilateral trade and investment between the UK and Vietnam. These Government-to-Government talks are held annually, and alternate between London and Hanoi.
The sixth round of talks took place in London in November 2012, where the UK raised four priority issues:
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dispute resolution
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intellectual property rights
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Vietnam’s outstanding WTO commitment in the pharmaceutical sector
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the need for simplified regulatory procedures
UKTI has been following up on these issues since then with the Vietnamese authorities.
Contacts
Feedback is welcome throughout the year. Please email your suggestions to Pham Nguyet, Trade Policy Officer with the UK Trade & Investment Vietnam team by Friday 6 September 2013:
Email: pham.nguyet@fco.gov.uk
Telephone: +84 43 9360500 (ext 92301)
It might not be possible to include all issues in the talks. Where appropriate UKTI and BBGV will explore other channels to raise concerns that cannot be included.
Last updated 31 July 2013 + show all updates
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