5-6 July 2005, Viet Nam

PRESS RELEASE

The ASEAN Services Forum is held in Ha Noi, Viet Nam from 5 to 6 July 2005 in conjunction with the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Viet Nam’s joining ASEAN.  The Forum is organised by the ASEAN Secretariat in cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Viet Nam, and with support from the Government of Japan.

The main objective of the Forum is to bring all relevant stakeholders such as regulators, government officials and industry players in all ASEAN Member Countries to assess the progress made in services liberalisation and discuss the ways to move it forward, including the implementation of the measures specified in the roadmaps for the integration of the priority sectors by 2010, as well as to map out the actions to achieve a free flow of services in ASEAN earlier than 2020. 

The Forum will be opened by Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Vu Khoan, the Secretary-General of ASEAN H.E. Mr. Ong Keng Yong, and the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Trand Dinh Khien. 

About 200 participants from all 10 ASEAN Member Countries are taking part in the Forum.  A number of international and regional experts and speakers, including from UNCTAD, World Bank, European Commission, and Organisation of American States (OAS), are invited to the Forum.