|
 |
Invitation to join (click here to download the invitation letter) The U.S.-Vietnam WTO Coalition is pleased to invite you to become a member of the lead coordinating body to support the completion of Vietnam’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the U.S. granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status to Vietnam. BACKGROUNDVietnam is currently seeking WTO accession and has committed to working towards joining the global trading body by the end of 2006. The WTO involves such issues as tariffs, non-tariff barriers, subsidies, trade remedies, TRIMS, and financial services. One key element of Vietnam’s accession to the WTO will be US Congressional approval for Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for Vietnam. The successful conclusion of negotiations with the US would pave the way for Vietnam’s PNTR vote to be introduced to the US Congress in late Spring 2006 for passage before the August 2006 recess. The role of the Coalition is to lobby for a premium bilateral agreement, passage of PNTR, Vietnam’s accession to the WTO, and ultimately, and further improvements in US-Vietnam relations. The Coalition is a leading source of educational information about PNTR and the WTO accession process, the importance of US-Vietnam relations, and the benefits of Vietnam’s WTO membership for US industrial, service and agriculture sectors as well as US consumers. STRUCTURE OF THE COALITIONThe US Vietnam WTO Coalition is made up of four key components: general Coalition membership, Steering Committee, Corporate Co-Chairs, and the Secretariat. US companies and organizations interested in receiving regular updates, meeting invitations, and recognition as supporting Vietnam’s PNTR and accession to the WTO are encouraged to join the general Coalition membership (click here for Coalition signup form). Membership of the Coalition is free and open to any American company or organization supporting Vietnam’s PNTR and accession to the WTO. Membership in the Coalition’s Steering Committee is also available to US organizations interested in taking on additional visibility and responsibility. US organizations interested in playing a leadership role in the Coalition are encouraged to join the Steering Committee. Steering Committee members will enjoy the benefits of regular membership, while also being offered the opportunity to support events and initiatives, and participation in coordination meetings. There is no fee to join the Steering Committee but members may be asked to contribute by way of “sweat equity”. For more information on how to join the Steering Committee, please contact vncoalition@usasean.org or call 202-416-6712. In addition to the general membership and the Steering Committee, the US Vietnam WTO Coalition will also be made up of Corporate Co-Chairs who will lead the Coalition and contribute financially. The corporate Co-Chairs are companies that are prepared to commit significant levels of leadership to the Coalition in the form of expert personnel, sponsorship for key events and studies, participation in programs and meetings, and other efforts. There is a small fee associated with this level of membership in the Coalition. Finally, the US-ASEAN Business Council / US-Vietnam Trade Council will serve as the Secretariat of the Coalition. The Secretariat is the focal point for coordinating meetings and sharing information among the Coalition principles and partners in the US and Vietnamese governments and private sectors. The US-Vietnam WTO Coalition has been officially launched in April 2006. Please note on the membership reply form if a senior executive from your company or organization who would like to notified of meetings and events. We welcome the participation of your company and organization and we look forward to working together to creating new opportunities for U.S. businesses and consumers as Vietnam joins the WTO, as well as opening a new chapter in US-Vietnam relations. For more information on how to join the Coalition, please contact vncoalition@usasean.org.
Click here for important materials concerning Vietnam's WTO Accession
|
|||||||||||||
|
US-Vietnam Trade Council | US-ASEAN Business Council | US Chamber of Commerce | National Foreign Trade Council | Business Roundtable | National Association of Manufacturers | |||||||||||||||
