All speakers warmly praised Viet Nam for its efforts and looked forward to its membership later this year. A few identified issues they still want to pursue or information they need for clarification.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN, Brunei speaking) called for draft paragraphs on labour standards and textiles to be deleted from the working party report, the latter because the WTO's Textiles and Clothing Agreement is now defunct. Viet Nam, which is a member of ASEAN, echoed the call.
Two issues which have been raised repeatedly in previous meetings appear close to resolution. One is trading rights, with Viet Nam now agreeing that foreign companies can have the right to import into Viet Nam even if they do not have commercial presence, so long as they register with the Vietnamese government. Members welcomed this although some are still seeking further clarification.
The other is excise duty on spirits and beers. Some members are concerned that higher duty rates on spirits of over 40 degrees amounts to discrimination against imported spirits. They offered some suggestions such as a sliding scale based on alcohol content that would not discriminate. Some members are also uncomfortable with different rates for bottled, canned, “draught” and “draft” beer, which they say also discriminates against imports. Viet Nam said it has no intention to discriminate and is looking for an acceptable solution.
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-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (TSllC Ltd)")
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF)")
