Both parties agreed that there is a big potential for a possible FTA (Free Trade Agreement) in the future, and that there is a common interest to start the negotiations as soon as possible.
“The process and cooperation between EFTA and Vietnam have been very good, and in our positive positive meeting with The Ministry of Industry and Trade we got clear signals that Vietnam wants to announce negotiations before the summer”, Mr. Ingebrigtsen said.
The State Secretary visit came just a week after parliamentarians from the four EFTA-countries visited Hanoi, with the prospect of strengthening the relationship with Vietnam.
A good common ground
A Joint Study Group has since August 2010 looked into the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement between EFTA and Vietnam, and the report was finalized in the beginning of 2011. The report has concluded that there is a significant potential to strengthen the economic relationship. This was confirmed by Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Khanh of MoIT: “It has been a fruitful process so far, and we believe it will continue to be so. We support the report from the study group, and we think we have many common interests to focus on.”
The Norwegian State Secretary also visited Ho Chi Minh City, where he attended the EFTA – Vietnam Promotional Seminar. This was an opportunity for outside parties to learn more about the advantages with a FTA and also a possibility to give constructive inputs to the report by the Study Group. The participants confirmed that a possible Free Trade Agreement will be a good opportunity for future economic development.
Met with Norwegian companies
The Norwegian State Secretary also met with Norwegian companies that operate in Vietnam. Many Norwegian companies have seen the potential in the expanding Vietnamese market, and eagery await a possible launch of FTA-negotiations between the EFTA-countries and Vietnam.
State Secretary Mr. Ingebrigtsen also visited Maritime Vietnam, a local exposition where several maritime Norwegian companies were represented. “The maritime industry in Vietnam keeps growing, and Norwegian companies have a good opportunity to take part in that growth by sharing their expertise and knowledge”, Mr. Ingebrigtsen said.