EFTA and Viet Nam continue free trade negotiations

Mr Luong Hoang Thai, Director General at the Ministry of Industry and International Trade, led the Vietnamese delegation, while Mr Sveinung Røren, Director at the Ministry of Trade, Fisheries and Industry, from Norway, acted as the EFTA Spokesperson.

 

Expert working groups convened to continue their discussions in the areas of trade in goods, rules of origin, trade in services, investment/establishment, IPR and government procurement. SPS, TBT, legal and institutional issues and trade remedies were discussed at the level of Heads of Delegation. The negotiations were held in a constructive spirit. Both sides agreed to hold a 15th round of negotiations in autumn 2017, during which all experts working groups are expected to convene.

 

Merchandise trade between EFTA States and Viet Nam reached USD 2.8 billion in 2016. EFTA States exported goods valued at USD 882 million, and imported for USD 1.9 billion. EFTA’s leading exports to Viet Nam comprised mainly fish, pharmaceutical products and machinery and mechanical appliances, while electrical machinery, footwear and precious stones and metals were leading imports.