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The challenges of WTO membership are real
Vietnam’s admission to the World Trade Organization was neither a panacea for all ills nor a trap, but the opportunities and challenges are real.
This comment was made by Truong Dinh Tuyen, former minister of trade at Friday’s conference in Hanoi reviewing two years of accession into the world trade body.
Some people wonder if we joined the WTO too soon, before we were really prepared for it, Tuyen said. He conceded there were lapses in preparation. For instance, while the plan to open the retail market was made as early as 1999 in a trade pact with the United States, nothing was done to prepare for that eventuality in 10 years.
The former minister said 2008 has given the country a chance to review the areas it must work on and ensure it wasn’t just “sleeping” on the achievements of high economic growth during previous years.
Tuyen noted that during his ministership between 2002 and 2007, there were several projects suggested that emphasized the importance of distribution and the benefits of promoting the services industry.
But at that time, the government was learning more towards increasing production and didn’t pay enough attention to these areas.
Former deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan noted that the past two years have given the country lessons about the importance of market tools in directing the economy.
Economist Le Dang Doanh said during the past two years, Vietnam has not established an information system to help analysts quickly assess market situations.
So this much is clear. If we want to turn the opportunities of WTO membership into real benefits, businesses and the government need to have specific plans and actions. If we do not respond to the challenges adequately, we will face persistent difficulties for prolonged periods.
Xuan Danh
thanhnien
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