Hanoi, April 15 (VNA) – Vietnam always attaches importance to and strictly enforces its role as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), stated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at his reception for WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo in Hanoi on April 15.

Welcoming the visit to Vietnam made by the WTO leader, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed that this is a good chance for the WTO leader and Vietnamese officials to discuss increasing cooperation between the two sides in the near future.

Confirming Vietnam’s consistent policy of intensive and extensive international integration, he stated that Vietnam has negotiated and signed several bilateral and regional free trade agreements, along with its active participation in the organisation’s activities.

He informed the guest of the country’s ratification of a Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) as well as its preparations to ratify a protocol amending the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) in October.

The Government leader expressed his hope that the WTO continues supporting Vietnam during its development process, particularly in the training of skilled human resources and legal experts, and in improving the capacity of Vietnamese businesses in international trade activities, thus helping the country gain success from international economic integration.

The WTO Director-General said that Vietnam still holds great potential for further development as an active member of the WTO.

The Vietnamese economy is growing with an increasing quality through the rise of hi-tech industries, he said, adding that it is also part of the global value chain connectivity.

He suggested Vietnam contributing to building the WTO’s future working agenda as a way to heighten its role and position in the organisation.
The guest delivered wishes to step up cooperation with Vietnam, in particular capacity building and training for personnel working for international economic integration.

He welcomed Vietnam’s preparations for ratifying TRIPS, saying this important document is tailored to support less-developed countries in particularly accessing sources of pharmaceuticals in service of medical treatment.

The WTO Director-General affirmed that the WTO is willing to support Vietnam in its integration into the global multilateral trade system, as well as during its socio-economic development process.

VNA/VNP