Vietnam, Chile begin free trade talks
Thanh Nien News, Vietnam
Vietnam, Chile begin free trade talks
Reported by Trung Binh - Translated by The Vinh
29 March 2007
Vietnam and Chile have launched negotiations on a free trade agreement, the Chilean Ambassador to Vietnam said Thursday, forecasting a deal may be reached soon.
Jorge Canaelas told a Vietnamese-Chinese business conference that a delegation of Chilean negotiators had arrived in Vietnam Wednesday.
“It’s just the beginning, but I don’t think the two countries face many hurdles,” he said. “The negotiations won’t last long.”
Chile Thursday also opened a Trade Office in Ho Chi Minh City, which would manage all Chilean trade promotion activities in the Southeast Asian, Canaelas said.
Vietnam would serve as a foothold for Chilean businesses to penetrate the regional markets, he added.
Representatives of 18 Chilean businesses are visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 26-30 to explore export and import opportunities.
They want to sell wine, pine wood and salmon to Vietnam and import Vietnamese coffee, rice, footwear, and fruits.
