Posted on 30 Sep 2008
Japan to conclude FTAs with Vietnam, Switzerland
Japan has struck separate basic deals with Vietnam and Switzerland to conclude bilateral free trade agreements after more than one year of negotiations.
Japan has found common ground on most issues regarding how to liberalize trade with Vietnam and Switzerland, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura was quoted by Kyodo News as saying at a news conference.
Japan launched negotiations with Vietnam in January 2007 and with Switzerland in May 2007. In the course of the negotiations, Japan mainly called on Vietnam and Switzerland to scrap or cut import tariffs on industrial goods, including automobiles and high-tech products.
Vietnam was calling for duty-free market access to clothing, seafood and farm products, while Switzerland was urging Japan to liberalize imports of such products as cheese and wine, according to the officials.
The economic partnership agreements will also cover cooperation in investment and services, in addition to trade in goods.
Once the economic partnership agreements are signed, Vietnam and Switzerland will be among 11 countries and territories to conclude a free trade accord with Japan, said Kyodo News.-Enditem
