Lauching a communication channel between SPS Vietnam and ambassadors

On June 24, the Vietnamese delegation to the 83rd meeting of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee (SPS-WTO Committee) in Geneva, Switzerland, conferred Ms. Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, WTO, and other international organizations.

During the meeting, the Ambassador praised the delegation members' organization, performance, and collaboration. She believed that the concretization and specificity of executions in accordance with SPS commitments would help raise the value of Vietnam's agricultural goods and promote them in more global markets.

Ms. Mai proposed establishing a regular communication channel between the SPS Vietnam Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and embassies to increase collaboration and information exchange and enhance the ability to satisfy production demands in response to market signals.

With the present system of ambassadors and trade counselors throughout the globe, Ms. Mai anticipated that the channel would be a key data source that strengthens domestic manufacturers' access to export markets, particularly in terms of exploiting incentives from new-generation free trade agreements. 

"With fruitful outcomes from the meeting. We anticipate further reports and comments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and related units. We consider them the basis for delivering messages to ambassadors. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the network of embassies should hopefully seize more opportunities to assist the people in promoting economic cooperation and commercial exchange with other nations ", added Ms. Mai.

Prior to the SPS-WTO Committee meeting, the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) was held from June 12-15, with 164 WTO members in attendance.  Minister of Industry and Trade and Head of the Vietnamese Delegation Nguyen Hong Dien, stressed during the conference that Vietnam attaches great importance to WTO negotiations on fisheries and agricultural subsidies.

The Vietnamese delegation worked with Argentina on June 24. The latter suggested that Vietnam accelerate the processing of registration dossiers for the import of animal and several plant products. Moreover, Argentina anticipated that Vietnam will soon export fruit products that are unknown to the South American nation.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic ties between the two nations, Argentina anticipated a swift response from Vietnam.

Also yesterday, the Pakistani side answered via email that it is not presently planning any additional quality requirements or SPS measures for Vietnamese tea imports. This government also undertakes to apply all measures in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination. 

Previously, a Vietnam delegation requested through email that Pakistan clarify the technical standards for tea and the maximum aflatoxin content for tea exports.