USTDA Names Vietnam Country of the Year
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) recently named Vietnam as its 2006 Country of the Year in recognition its “remarkable achievements”, read a press release issued by the agency.
The agency presented the 2006 Country of the Year honor based on Vietnam’s strong and growing partnership with the USTDA, the statement said.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Government, Minister Doan Manh Giao, chairman of the Government Office, received the award in Hanoi on November 16.
"Vietnam is the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia following the country's shift to a market economy, and its ongoing adoption of modern governance practices, improved investment regulations, and liberalization of the financial services arena are remarkable achievements,” said USTDA Director Thelma J. Askey.
"The USTDA has been pleased to co-operate with strong partners in Vietnam to advance key development goals in a broad range of sectors. We look forward to maintaining a strong commitment to Vietnam in 2007 with activities that will foster an environment ripe for trade, investment, and sustainable economic development," she told the award ceremony.
Since the USTDA's program was launched in Vietnam in 1996, the agency has funded 36 activities and 18 orientation visits designed to support priority development projects and procurement opportunities in Vietnam.
To date, those activities and visits have been associated with US$210.5 million in US exports in the transportation, energy, services, water and human resource sectors.
In 2006, the agency substantially expanded its Vietnam portfolio by providing assistance for activities designed to meet priorities established in the APEC forum, Vietnam's World Trade Organization accession negotiations, and its efforts to obtain permanent normal trade relations with the US.
Source: Tuoi Tre, VNA
