OECD chief starts first Vietnam visit
HANOI - The head of the world's club of strongest industrialized economies began his first working visit to Vietnam yesterday, discussing various areas of cooperation to make Vietnam "more engaged" with the organization.
Donald J. Johnston, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) held a talk with Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan to exchange information and "are laying the groundwork for further discussions to move our relationship forward."
Johnston, a former Canadian government minister, is the first OECD's Secretary-General to visit Vietnam. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan said the working visit by OECD's highest-ranking official could send a positive signal to the world's major trade partners that Vietnam is deepening its global integration and strengthening its economic reform process.
"Vietnam is an emerging country with many issues that the OECD deals with, so there's a mutual interest in working more closely with Vietnam," Johnston told local media after the closed-door meeting with Vietnam's high-ranking Government officials in Hanoi.
Johnston also told the Daily that OECD specializes in things Vietnam needs.
"We're at stage where we're talking about what areas Vietnam should become more engage in with the OECD, whether on the investment, regulatory reform, or agriculture side," he said.
One of the priority areas is education which OECD has a great deal of expertise.
The Deputy Prime Minister proposed OECD coordinate with Vietnam in setting up the first periodical cooperation program, to last till the end of 2010, with key areas in investment, trade, economic management, banking and finance, competition and sustainable development.
Khoan also suggested further support from OECD member countries for Vietnam's membership in the World Trade Organization as well as being recognized as a market economy.
Johnston will be leaving for HCMC today to meet leaders of the city People's Committee. He also plans to visit the Stock Exchange Center and the Reunification Palace.
Johnston has been serving as Secretary-General of the OECD since 1996. During his tenure, the OECD has enlarged its membership to 30 countries to include new members in Europe and Asia.
The organization, which includes the U.S., the EU, Canada, Australia and the Republic of Korea, contributes around 90% of the world's annual income.
By Ngoc Mai - The Saigon Times Daily - February 8, 2006.
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