Hanoi and HCMC - EuroCham co-hosted event - CCIFV Breakfast talk on Free Trade Agreements - Mechanisms and Opportunities for European companies

Free Trade Agreements: Mechanisms and Opportunities for European companies

Multilateral negotiations seem to be facing difficulties today and have even been threatened by failure during the Doha Round which was initiated 10 years ago. In order to avoid such threats, WTO Member States resort to bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTA) which would normally represent a breach into WTO law, unless they fulfill a number of conditions. These agreements provide real opportunities for companies but also hold serious difficulties with regard to their interpretation and implementation. The growing region of South-East Asia has naturally witnessed an increase in the number of FTAs. On January 1st, 2010 the majority of the goods included in the agreement recently signed between China and South East Asia countries (CAFTA) became subject to a 0% applicable customs duty rate.European companies which are present in the South-East Asian region should strive to make the best use of FTAs in order to increase their efficiency and profits…