Vietnam’s accession to the WTO - A roadmap for a rational approach in trade liberalization

Aspiring to become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) the Vietnamesegovernment is confronted with tremendous political, economic and institutionalchallenges. Issues to be addressed are not only technical questions such as the tariffregime, industrial and agricultural subsidies, market access for foreign serviceproviders, and the protection of intellectual property rights. More far-reaching will bethe consequences of the reform and modernization of the legal system, the privatizationof state-owned enterprises as well as a new approach towards taxation and thestrengthening of fiscal authorities. In order to ensure a result of bilateral and multilateralnegotiations which is beneficial for the country’s legitimate development interests,numerous economic and political stakeholders on central and provincial level have to beconsulted and must cooperate in a well coordinated manner.