VN seeks US preferences

HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said here yesterday he hoped the United States would offer a scheme of tariff preferences to Viet Nam and create favourable conditions for two-way trade.

Hai, hosting a reception for US House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, said he welcomed Dreier's support in granting permanent trade relations with Viet Nam, which helped normalise economic and commerce relations.

He also spoke highly of the support of the Chairman and other US members of the House for pushing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement with Viet Nam.

He said he hoped Dreier would continue to support the relationship between the two countries and support recognition of market economy status in Viet Nam. Dreier replied that the opportunity to deepen economic relations between the US and Viet Nam, especially in the context of the Asia-Pacific region, was developing dynamically.

At another meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pham Binh Minh, said economic ties, trade and investment would continue to be the key to bilateral relations.

Minh said Viet Nam continued efforts to improve the investment environment and create favourable conditions for foreign companies to invest.

He also requested the US to remove trade barriers against exports from Viet Nam, especially agricultural products.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan later met Dreier. — VNS