Minister proposes Việt Nam-Japan cooperation programme on CPTPP

TOKYO — Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh has proposed building a co-operation programme between the Vietnamese and Japanese Governments to effectively enforce the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Anh made the proposal at his meeting with Japanese Minister in charge of CPTPP negotiations Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the fifth Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which is taking place in Tokyo from June 29 to July 2.

While being informed of Japan’s promulgation of a law related to CPTPP, Anh spoke highly of Japan as one of the first countries to ratify the agreement. He said Japan’s move would affect the ratification of the agreement in other countries.

He told the Japanese minister that the Vietnamese Government is resolved to speed up the legal process to submit the agreement to the National Assembly for ratification in the legislature’s session later this year.

Regarding the extension of CPTPP members, Minister Anh welcomed the attention of partners, adding that their membership would be considered as stipulated in the agreement after it becomes effective.

At first, CPTPP members need to give priority to boosting the early ratification of the agreement to benefit people and businesses and create a foundation for trade and investment development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Việt Nam will work to effectively implement CPTPP commitments, through popularising the agreement’s information to people from all walks of life, improving the capacity and institutions of Government offices, and providing legal assistance for small- and medium-sized enterprises so they can take advantage of the agreement and contribute to the nation’s economic development.

The Vietnamese official also had a meeting with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Hiroshige Seko, during which he asked METI to cooperate with Việt Nam in industry, energy, CPTPP, and food processing.

Seko said that his ministry always supports Việt Nam in the fields Việt Nam has demand such as human resources training, business connectivity and processing chain development.

The two ministers pledged to do their utmost to facilitate the implementation of signed agreements and carry out new cooperation initiatives for economic growth in each country and the entire region. — VNS