Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 03HANOI3243, VIETNAM: NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATES REPORT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #03HANOI3243.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03HANOI3243 | 2003-12-16 03:03 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Hanoi |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 HANOI 003243
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR
STATE FOR EB/MTA/MST
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON EFIN VM ASEAN BTA FINREF IPROP
SUBJECT: VIETNAM: NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATES REPORT
REF: STATE 310953
¶1. The following is the text of the draft National Trade
Estimate report for Vietnam.
¶2. Begin Text of Report:
TRADE SUMMARY
The landmark U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement that
seeks to normalize trade relations between the two
countries came into effect on December 10, 2001, and
Vietnam began receiving NTR treatment. As a result of
the lowering of tariffs from an average of 40 percent to
an average of 3 percent, Vietnamese exports to the U.S.
have increased rapidly in the last two years.
The U.S. trade deficit with Vietnam was $2.4 billion in
the first nine months of 2003. U.S. goods exports for
the first nine months of 2003 were $1.16 billion, up
219.2 percent from the previous year. (Note: U.S.
exports excluding aircraft sales were $449 million, up
24% from the previous year.) Corresponding U.S. imports
from Vietnam were $3.6 billion, up 130.5 percent.
IMPORT POLICIES
Tariffs
Vietnam's tariff schedule was rationalized in 1992 and
simplified in 1999, following Vietnam's accession to the
ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA). Currently, there are three
sets of tariff rates: most favored nation (MFN) rates
that apply to about 75 percent of total imports from
about eighty countries that have bilateral trade
agreements with Vietnam, including the U.S.; Common
Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) rates that apply to
imports from ASEAN countries; and general tariff rates
(50 percent higher than MFN) that apply to all other
countries. Under the terms of the US-Vietnam Bilateral
Trade Agreement (BTA), Vietnam is obligated to reduce
significantly tariffs by an average of about one-third to
one-half on a broad range of US imports over a period of
three years.
On September 1, 2003, a new harmonized tariff system took
effect that is based on the eight digit Harmonized System
of Tariffs and conforms to ASEAN's Harmonized Tariff
Nomenclature (AHTN). The new system consists of 10,689
lines (4200 more than the old one), of which 5,300 lines
are at four and six digits and 5,400 lines are at eight
digits. There are now fifteen tariff rates (down from
twenty) and the simple average tariff rate increased from
16.8 to 18.2 percent. In implementing the new tariff
system, the Government of Vietnam raised tariff rates on
195 items and reduced them on 106. Protection on 72
items, except for PVC powder and granules and welding
steel tubes, was converted from price differential
surcharges to tariffs. Tariff rates on petrol and oils
(heading 2709 and 2710) are not specified in the new
schedule.
The National Assembly retains authority over setting
tariff bands for each product and the government is free
to adjust applied tariffs within the bands. There is no
online published tariff schedule, and it is often
difficult to determine when and how much tariffs have
changed.
Non-tariff barriers
Non-tariff barriers (NTB's) were introduced in Vietnam
when the country shifted from CMEA to market trade in the
late 1980s to early 1990s and quickly became a key
component of Vietnam's trade policy. In the past few
years, Vietnam has made significant progress in reducing
the use of NTBs and, under the terms of the BTA, Vietnam
agreed to eliminate all non-tariff barriers, including
import and export restrictions, quotas, licensing
requirements, and controls for all product and service
categories over a period of three to seven years,
depending on the product.
Import prohibitions: Vietnam currently prohibits the
commercial importation of the following products: arms
and ammunition, explosive materials (not including
industrial explosives), military technical equipment and
facilities, narcotics, toxic chemicals, "depraved and
reactionary" cultural products, firecrackers, some
children's toys, cigarettes, second-hand consumer goods,
right-hand drive motor vehicles, used spare parts for
vehicles, used internal combustion engines of less than
30 horsepower, asbestos materials under the amphibole
group, various encryption devices, and encryption
software.
Quantitative restrictions and non-automatic licensing:
Vietnam has been phasing out the use of quantitative
restrictions on imports. The following products remain
subject to quantitative restrictions: sugar, petroleum
products, cement and clinker, some common chemicals,
chemical fertilizer, paint, tubes and tires, paper, silk,
ceramic (construction), construction glass, construction
steel, some engines, some types of automobiles,
motorcycles, bicycles and parts, and ships and vessels.
Quantitative limitations on exports in most sectors have
been eliminated as well, with the exception of textiles,
garments, and a list of sensitive items. In May 2003,
the Prime Minister issued a decision to implement tariff-
rate quotas on certain agricultural products that were
not previously under quotas. Cotton, tobacco materials,
and salt are the three items on "trial" implementation as
of July 01, 2003. During the "trial" period, import
licenses for those items are granted upon the demand
level to set up a volume of quotas for the following
years. Milk materials, corn, and poultry eggs are the
remaining targeted items to be implemented sometime in
¶2004.
Foreign invested enterprises are not permitted to import
goods freely in Vietnam. Foreign invested enterprises
are allowed only to import goods used as inputs in the
manufacturing process, and machinery equipment,
transportation means and materials used in the
construction and installation of their project in
accordance with their investment license.
Special authority regulation: Previously, importers
required approval from the relevant ministry(ies) to
import many goods. This system was changed in 2001.
Now, seven ministries and agencies are responsible for
overseeing a system of minimum quality/performance
standards for animal and plant protection, health safety,
local network compatibility (in the case of
telecommunication), money security, and cultural
sensitivity. Goods that meet the minimum standards can
be imported upon demand and in unlimited quantity and
value.
Foreign Exchange system: In 1998, the State Bank of
Vietnam (SBV) issued a foreign exchange surrender
requirement for all exporters, including foreign invested
enterprises. A series of reductions decreased this
requirement from 80 percent of foreign exchange balances
to 30 percent as of May 2002. In April 2003,
Government Decision 46 reduced the foreign exchange
surrender requirement to zero percent.
May 2000 amendments to the Law on Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) allowed FDI enterprises to purchase
foreign currency at authorized banks to finance current
and capital transactions and other permitted
transactions. Controls on current account transactions
have been liberalized. A 1998 Decree allowed both
residents and non-residents to open and maintain foreign
exchange accounts with authorized banks in Vietnam. A
2001 Circular permitted foreign investors to transfer
abroad profits and other legal income upon presentation
of relevant documents to the authorized banks. A 2003
Decree contains the Government of Vietnam's guarantee to
assist in the balancing of foreign currency for foreign
invested enterprises and foreign business cooperation
parties that invest in the construction of infrastructure
and certain other important projects in the event that
banks permitted to trade foreign currency are unable to
fully satisfy their foreign currency demand.
Customs: Vietnam is phasing out minimum import prices in
its customs valuation system. The number of commodity
groups subject to a minimum value was reduced from 34 in
1997 to seven in 2000. These include: beverages of all
kinds; tires, rubber inner tubes and mud-resistant fronts
used for cars, motorcycles and bicycles; floor tiles and
sanitary wares; construction glass and vacuum flasks;
engines; electric fans; motorcycles; and, unprocessed
tobacco.
Under the BTA, Vietnam is now obligated to apply
transaction value for U.S. imports and to ensure that no
administrative fee or charge imposed by customs
authorities in connection with importing or exporting any
good will exceed the actual cost of the service provided
by Customs. Vietnam has also committed to apply
transaction value to imports from ASEAN countries. In
June 2002, the Government issued Decree 60 establishing
rules for customs valuation based on transaction value,
in accordance with WTO principles. Decree 60 applies to
goods imported from countries to which Vietnam has made a
commitment on customs valuation. Despite the fact that no
exceptions are included in the BTA, Decree 60 reserves
Vietnam the right to apply minimum tax calculation prices
on a number of items "in order to protect the State's
interests and domestic production." The Ministry of
Finance, in coordination with other ministries and
agencies, is drafting the list of exempted items.
Trading rights: Under the terms of the BTA, three years
after the entry-into-force of the agreement, enterprises
with capital directly invested by U.S. nationals and
companies in production and manufacturing will be able to
engage in trading activities in most products and will be
able to enter into joint ventures with Vietnamese
partners to engage in trading activities in all products,
as long as the U.S. partner holds no more than a 49
percent share in the venture. Seven years after entry-
into-force of the BTA, U.S. companies will be able to
establish wholly owned trading companies in Vietnam. The
right to trade in certain goods is subject to a phase in
period.
STANDARDS, TESTING, LABELING AND CERTIFICATION
Vietnamese law requires all imports to have a label with
contents and instruction for use in Vietnamese. The
labels can be placed on the goods after they have been
imported.
The Ministry of Science and Technology publishes a list
of imports and exports requiring state quality control.
The items are listed with their HS numbers and are
grouped under functional agencies including the Ministry
of Public Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of
Fisheries, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Some items are subject to national standards; some are
subject to regulations of the functioning agencies; and
some are subject to both. Other items are subject to
GOCT (the standards system that was created by the Soviet
Union which now applies only to explosives and explosive
accessories). Exporters and importers must have permits
from the functioning agencies or a receipt showing an
inspection is in process for the controlled items at the
time they go through customs.
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
Government procurement practices can be characterized as
a multi-layered decision-making process, which often
lacks transparency and efficiency. Although the Ministry
of Finance allocates funds, various departments within
the ministry or agency involved determine government
procurement needs. Competition for government
procurements may take any of several forms: sole source
direct negotiation, limited tender, open tender,
appointed tender, or special purchase. Currently,
ministries and agencies have different rules on minimum
values for the purchase of material or equipment, which
must be subject to competitive bidding. High-value or
important contracts such as infrastructure (except World
Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNDP, or bilateral official
development assistance projects) require bid evaluation
and selection and are awarded by the Prime Minister's
office or any other competent body. No consolidated or
regular official listing of government tenders exists;
however, some solicitations are announced in the both
Vietnamese and English language newspapers.
EXPORT SUBSIDIES
Export credit is very limited in Vietnam. The Export
Promotion Fund managed by the Ministry of Finance,
provides subsidies in the form of interest rate support
and direct financial support (to first-time exporters,
for exports to new markets, or for goods subject to major
price fluctuations). The Fund also provides export
rewards and bonuses. Since 1998, the average annual
export reward provided to eligible enterprises has ranged
from USD 2900 to USD 4710. Provision of export bonuses,
originally targeted for exports of agricultural products,
was expanded in 2002 to include non-agricultural products
such as handicrafts, rattan and bamboo ware, plastic
products and mechanical products.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) PROTECTION
Vietnam is a member of the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO) and is a signatory to the Paris
Convention for Industrial Property. It has acceded to
the Patent Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid Agreement.
While not yet a party to the Berne Convention, Vietnam
agreed under the 1997 U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Copyright
Agreement to provide U.S. copyrights protection on a
national treatment basis in accordance with the terms of
that convention. Under the terms of the BTA, Vietnam was
obligated by December 2003 to make its system for
protecting IPR, including enforcement, consistent with
the WTO TRIPS agreement. The President of Vietnam is
expected to sign the GVN's applications for accession to
the Berne Convention and the Geneva Convention by the end
of 2003. Considerable progress has been made over the
past few years in establishing the legal framework for
IPR protection. New legislation this year included
regulations on protection of architectural copyright,
layout of integrated circuits and border measures.
However, the legal reform process is not yet complete.
Enforcement of IPR protection remains extremely weak.
The BTA requires the Government of Vietnam to provide
expeditious remedies to prevent and deter infringement of
IP rights, including particular judicial and
administrative procedures, prompt and effective
provisional measures secured by sufficient evidence, and
criminal procedures and penalties for willful trademark
counterfeiting or infringement of copyrights or
neighboring rights on a commercial scale.
Patent and Trademarks
Trademark registration in Vietnam is relatively
straightforward, although infringement is widespread and
enforcement of administrative orders and court decisions
finding IPR infringement remains problematic. Vietnam's
laws offer some protection for foreign patent holders,
but there are infringements. The National Office of
Intellectual Property (NOIP), under the Ministry of
Science and Technology (MOST), administers Vietnam's
patent and trademark registration systems. NOIP has made
significant progress in recent years to build adequate
capacity to record and adjudicate patent and trademark
claims, and is working with a number of foreign patent
and trademark agencies to enhance its systems. Yet
obtaining expeditious adjudication and administrative
enforcement of patent and trademark violations remains
difficult. Although the BTA requires national treatment
for IPR fees, industrial property fees charged to foreign
organizations and individuals are significantly higher
than the fees charged to Vietnamese nationals.
Copyright
The Copyright Office of Vietnam is under the control and
supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Information.
Significant progress has been made in putting in place
the laws to protect copyrights, including those belonging
to foreigners, but enforcement is almost non-existent.
This is particularly true for certain categories of
products, such as PC software, music and video CDs, VCDs,
and DVDs. Industry estimates of piracy rates for
software, music, and videos run as high as 99 percent.
Local police authorities often are slow to act on
administrative orders fining infringement and enforcing
court decisions.
SERVICES BARRIERS
Under the terms of the BTA, Vietnam agreed for the first
time to liberalize a broad array of services sectors,
including telecommunications, accounting, banking, and
distribution services, and to apply MFN treatment to U.S.
services suppliers in all sectors and for all modes of
supply (with itemized exceptions). The BTA also
incorporated the WTO Agreements on Trade in Services
(GATS) (except Paragraphs 3 and 4), Annex on Movement of
Natural Persons, Annex on Telecommunications (except
Paragraphs 6 and 7), and the Telecommunications Reference
Paper. Vietnam's commitments to liberalize market access
on services are phased in over specified time periods
depending on the sector. The commitments by sector are
as follows:
Accounting, Auditing, and Bookkeeping Services: For the
first three years under the BTA, licenses will be granted
on a case-by-case basis. The company must employ at
least five persons with licenses to be a CPA in Vietnam
who have practiced in Vietnam for more than one year.
For the first two years under the BTA, firms with U.S.
equity will only be allowed to supply services to foreign-
invested enterprises and foreign funded projects in
Vietnam. Branching is not permitted.
Taxation Services: For the first five years under the
BTA, licenses will be granted on a case-by-case basis,
and firms with U.S. equity will only be allowed to supply
services to foreign-invested enterprises and foreign
funded projects in Vietnam. Branching is not permitted.
Architectural, Engineering, and Computer Services: For a
period of two years from the date of establishment and
operation, U.S.-owned companies may only provide services
to enterprises with foreign directly-invested capital in
Vietnam. U.S. companies have to be legally registered in
the U.S. Branching is not permitted.
U.S. companies and companies with U.S. directly-invested
capital are not permitted to carry out topographic,
construction geological, metrological, geological, and
environmental investigations; or technical investigations
for designing rural-urban construction plans, unless
otherwise authorized by the Government of Vietnam.
Legal Services: Under the terms of the BTA, 100 percent
equity ownership in companies, joint ventures, and
branches are permitted. U.S. lawyers may not appear
before Vietnamese courts. However, U.S. firms may advise
on Vietnamese law if they hire persons with Vietnamese
law degrees who satisfy the requirements applied to like
Vietnamese practitioners. Branches of law firms may
receive a five-year renewable license. In July 2003, the
Government promulgated Decree 87 significantly reforming
the regulatory framework for the operations of foreign
law practices and foreign law firms. The decree
substantially broadened the scope of practice of foreign
law firms in Vietnam. Foreign law practices are permitted
to provide advice on foreign and international law in the
areas of business, investment and commerce, which was
prohibited before. They are now no longer restricted to
providing "legal consultancy services and other legal
services", including consultancy on Vietnamese law, as
long as their firms employ a Vietnamese lawyer or a
foreign lawyer with a Vietnamese law degree. The law
firms are allowed to employ Vietnamese lawyers, with
unlimited practicing scope of legal consultancy and legal
services. However, participation by foreign lawyers in
Vietnamese court proceedings remains prohibited and was
further extended to Vietnamese lawyers and trainee
Vietnamese lawyers employed by foreign law practices.
Advertising Services and Market Research: Vietnam has
not agreed to provide market access for advertising
services for wines and cigarettes or for the cross-border
supply of market research services. U.S. companies in
these sectors may initially only establish a commercial
presence through joint ventures or business cooperation
contracts with Vietnamese partners. U.S. investment is
limited to 49 percent of the legal capital for the first
five years under the Bilateral Trade Agreement, 51
percent for years six and seven, and is unlimited after
that. Vietnam has not agreed to ensure national
treatment for the cross-border supply of market research
services.
Management Consulting: U.S. companies may only establish
a commercial presence through joint ventures or business
cooperation contracts. After the BTA has been in effect
for 5 years, enterprises with 100 percent U.S. ownership
will be permitted.
Telecommunication Services: Initially, the provision of
basic telecommunications services, value-added
telecommunications services, and voice telephone services
are only permitted through business contracts with
Vietnamese gateway operators. According to the terms of
the BTA, by December 2003, (December 2004 in the case of
Internet services), U.S. value-added telecommunications
service providers may establish joint ventures with
Vietnamese partners with up to 50 percent equity
ownership. These joint ventures may not, however,
construct their own long-distance and international
circuits. Four years after entry-into-force of the BTA,
U.S. basic telecommunications service suppliers can
establish joint ventures with Vietnamese partners with up
to 49 percent U.S. equity ownership. These joint
ventures may not, however, construct their own long-
distance and international circuits. Six years after
entry-into-force of the Agreement, U.S. voice telephone
service providers may establish joint ventures with
Vietnamese partners with up to 49 percent U.S. equity
ownership.
Audiovisual Services: Vietnam has not agreed to provide
market access or national treatment for cross-border
supply or consumption abroad of audiovisual services.
U.S. service suppliers may establish a commercial
presence only through a business cooperation contract or
joint venture with a Vietnamese partner. For the first
five years after entry-into-force of the BTA, U.S.
ownership may not exceed 49 percent. After five years,
U.S. ownership may not exceed 51 percent.
Construction and Related Engineering Services: Vietnam
has not agreed to provide market access or national
treatment for the cross-border supply of construction and
related engineering services. Branches are not
permitted. For the first three years after their
establishment and operation, 100 percent U.S.-owned
enterprises may only provide services to enterprises with
foreign directly invested capital in Vietnam. U.S.
companies must be legally registered for operation in the
U.S.
Distribution Services: Vietnam does not provide market
access or national treatment for the cross-border supply
of distribution services. Three years after entry-into-
force of the BTA, U.S. service providers may establish
joint ventures with Vietnamese partners with up to 49
percent U.S. equity. After six years, U.S. ownership in
joint ventures will be unlimited. After seven years,
companies with 100 percent equity will be allowed. One
retail outlet may be established as of right, while
additional outlets will be considered on a case-by-case
basis. For some agricultural and industrial products,
market access in this sector is subject to additional
limitations, which will be phased out over a period of
three to five years. There are a limited number of
products for which Vietnam did not commit to allow
distribution services.
Educational Services: Vietnam will not provide market
access or national treatment for the cross-border supply
of educational services. For the first seven years after
entry-into-force of the BTA, U.S. companies may only
establish a commercial presence through a joint venture.
After that, schools with 100 percent U.S.-invested
capital may be established. Foreign teachers employed by
educational units with U.S.-invested capital must have
five years teaching experience and be recognized by the
Ministry of Education.
Insurance Services: Vietnam has agreed to allow market
access for the cross-border supply of insurance services
to enterprises with foreign invested capital or
foreigners working in Vietnam; reinvestment services;
insurance services in international transportation;
insurance brokering and reinsurance brokering services;
and advisory, claim settlement, and risk assessment
services. Three years after entry-into-force of the BTA,
U.S. companies can establish joint ventures with
Vietnamese partners with up to 50 percent U.S. equity
participation. After five years, 100 percent U.S.-
invested companies may be established.
Companies with U.S.-invested capital cannot provide
insurance for motor vehicle third party liability,
insurance in construction and installation, insurance for
oil and gas projects, or insurance for projects and
construction of high danger to public security and
environment. Three years after entry-into-force of the
BTA, this limitation is eliminated for joint ventures.
After six years, this limitation is eliminated for
companies with 100 percent U.S. capital.
For the first 5 years after entry-into-force of the BTA,
any company with U.S. capital must reinsure part of the
accepted liabilities (currently at a minimum rate of
twenty percent) through the Reinsurance Company of
Vietnam.
Banking: Vietnam has not agreed to provide market access
or national treatment for the cross-border provision of
banking services, except for financial information
services and advisory, intermediation, and other
auxiliary services. U.S. banks may establish branches,
joint ventures with Vietnamese banks, wholly owned U.S.
financial leasing companies or joint venture financial
leasing companies with Vietnamese partners.
For the first three years after entry-into-force of the
BTA, the only legal form apart from banks and leasing
companies in which U.S. companies may provide financial
services is through joint ventures with Vietnamese banks.
During the first nine years, U.S. equity in joint venture
banks must be between 30 percent and 49 percent. After
nine years, 100 percent equity participation in
subsidiary banks will be allowed.
The right of U.S. banks to accept Vietnamese currency
deposits on the same basis as domestic banks is phased in
over eight years for business clientele and ten years for
retail depositors. After this, U.S. bank branches will
be entitled to full national treatment. Vietnam is
fulfilling this commitment by gradually allowing U.S.
banks to increase the amount of deposits in Vietnamese
Dong (i.e. the local currency) relative to the branch's
legal paid-in capital with the ratio presently at 250
percent. (Prior to entry-into-force of the BTA, this
ratio was 25 percent.) In addition, financial
institutions with U.S. equity cannot issue credit cards
on a national treatment basis until eight years after
entry-into-force of the BTA. U.S. banks are now allowed
to place automatic teller machines outside their office
on a national treatment basis.
Vietnam reserved the right to limit, on a national
treatment basis, equity investment by U.S. banks in
privatized Vietnamese state-owned banks.
U.S. bank branches, subsidiaries, or U.S.-Vietnam joint
ventures must obtain a license to establish a commercial
presence in Vietnam. A U.S. parent bank must provide
minimum capital of $15 million to establish a branch.
Establishing a U.S.-Vietnam joint venture bank or a U.S.
bank subsidiary requires minimum capital of $10 million.
For the first three years after the entry-into-force of
the Agreement, financial institutions with 100 percent
U.S. equity ownership may not take an initial mortgage
interest in land use rights. After three years, these
institutions will be allowed to take an initial mortgage
interest in land-use rights held by foreign-invested
enterprises, and may use mortgages or land-use rights for
the purpose of liquidation in case of default.
Establishing a wholly owned subsidiary of a U.S.
financial leasing company or a joint venture leasing
company requires three consecutive profitable years, and
$5 million in legal capital.
For the first three years under the BTA, Vietnam is not
obligated to provide national treatment with respect to
access to central bank rediscounting, swap, and forward
facilities. However, in 2003, the State Bank of Vietnam
allowed one U.S. bank with branches in Vietnam (and some
local banks) to provide swap service on a pilot basis.
Non-banking Financial Services: The BTA allows 100
percent U.S. equity in financial leasing and in other
leasing after 3 years.
Securities-Related Services: Vietnam has not agreed to
provide market access or national treatment for the cross-
border supply of securities-related services. Non-bank
U.S. securities service suppliers may only establish a
commercial presence in Vietnam in the form of a
representative office.
Health-Related Services: U.S. operators may provide
service through the establishment of 100 percent U.S.-
owned operations, joint ventures with Vietnamese partners
or through business cooperation contracts. The minimum
investment capital is $20 million for a hospital, $2
million for a polyclinic, and $1 million for a specialty
unit.
Tourism and Travel-Related Services: U.S. companies may
establish a commercial presence to provide hotel and
restaurant services, in conjunction with investment for
the construction of a hotel, either in the form of
business cooperation contracts, joint ventures with
Vietnamese partners, or companies with 100 percent U.S.
equity investment.
There are limitations with respect to travel agencies and
tour operators. U.S. companies supplying these services
may establish a commercial presence only through a joint
venture with Vietnamese partners and can initially only
contribute 49 percent of the capital. Three years after
entry-into-force of the BTA, 51 percent participation
will be allowed, and all limitations will be abolished
after five years. Tourist guides in joint ventures must
be Vietnamese citizens. Service supplying companies with
U.S.-invested capital may only supply inbound service.
INVESTMENT BARRIERS
At present the Government of Vietnam maintains an
extensive investment licensing process, which is
characterized by stringent and time consuming
requirements that are frequently used to protect domestic
interests, limit competition, and allocate foreign
investment rights among various countries. Foreign
businesses are permitted to remit profits, share revenues
from joint ventures, incomes from services and technology
transfers, legally owned capital, and properties in hard
currency. Foreigners are also allowed to remit abroad
royalties and fees paid for the supply of technologies
and services, principal and interest on loans obtained
for business operations, and investment capital and other
money and assets under their legitimate ownership.
The BTA provides a broad range of benefits to U.S.
investors in Vietnam that should significantly enhance
the investment environment for U.S. firms. Vietnamese
investment obligations under the BTA include: providing
national and most-favored-nation treatment, except where
explicit exceptions have been made; ensuring treatment of
expropriation consistent with international standards;
and guaranteeing access to third-party investor-state
dispute settlement. In practice, however, recognition
and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in Vietnam
currently remains questionable.
In addition, Vietnam is obligated under the BTA
gradually to discontinue application of any TRIMS or
performance requirements inconsistent with the WTO TRIMS
agreement. Vietnam is also obligated to refrain from
imposing requirements to transfer technology as a
condition for the establishment, expansion, acquisition,
management, conduct, or operation of an investment.
Vietnam currently imposes a number of performance
requirements with respect to the establishment of an
investment and/or the receipt of a benefit or incentive.
Vietnam retains restrictions on foreign shareholding in
Vietnamese companies, although the ratio has been raised
from twenty to thirty percent. In March 2003, the
Government issued Decree 27 amending the Law on Foreign
Investment, removing trade balancing requirements and
foreign exchange controls. In April, the Government
issued a decision to reduce the foreign exchange
surrender requirement to zero percent
Decree 27 also now allows foreign investors to recruit
Vietnamese workers directly, without having to go through
labor recruitment agencies. However, in September,
Vietnam issued Decree 105, which provides that all
enterprises operating in Vietnam may only employ foreign
nationals at the lesser of 1) a maximum rate of 3 percent
of their total work force or 2) 50 persons. In response
to complaints from the foreign business community, the
Government has stated that it will issue legislation
clarifying the decree and providing exemptions for
certain sectors and types of employment.
In the BTA, Vietnam committed to gradually shift to an
investment registration regime for most sectors.
According to Decree 27, the following types of investment
are no longer subject to investment licensing:
investment projects that export eighty percent of
products; investments in "encouraged" or "specially
encouraged" projects located in industrial zones (with
some exceptions); and investment in the manufacturing
sector with a value of up to USD 5 million in investment
capital.
ANTICOMPETITIVE PRACTICES
Vietnam maintains a policy of bias in favor of domestic-
market oriented industries, particularly those dominated
by state-owned enterprises. Although all registered
firms, regardless of ownership, can engage legally in
foreign trade, barriers exist that discourage trading by
non-state enterprises. For example, stringent regulatory
requirements demanded by ministries prevent private firms
from exporting rice or importing fertilizer. Also,
monopolies in production result in monopolies in trading,
as in the case of coal. The tariff structure also favors
domestic industries, particularly those dominated by
state-owned enterprises. Most lower tariffs are on items
predominantly used by those enterprises as inputs.
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
To date, e-commerce has not made much progress in
Vietnam. Obstacles to its development include: the low
number of Internet subscribers in-country, obtrusive
firewalls, limited bandwidth and other problems with the
Internet infrastructure, limitations of the financial
system (including the low number of credit cards in use),
and regulatory barriers. However, recent developments to
facilitate the growth of e-commerce in Vietnam include
legal acceptance of e-signatures and implementation of
the electronic inter-bank transaction system. The number
of online transactions has been increasing. The Ministry
of Trade has the lead in drafting a new ordinance on E-
Commerce, which is expected to come into effect in
September 2004.
The Government of Vietnam continues to attempt to keep
close control on all websites established in Vietnam. In
October 2002, the Government of Vietnam passed a new
regulation on the establishment and modification of
websites. The regulation requires domestic and foreign
agencies, organizations, and enterprises to obtain a
license from the Ministry of Culture and Information
before establishing new websites. The Ministry then has
30 days to make a decision on granting the license. The
regulation also requires diplomatic and other foreign
entities to obtain written approval from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) before requesting a license from
MOCI. Vietnam may also require organizations to request
permission from MOCI before making changes to the content
of their existing websites based on licensing
requirements in the regulation.
OTHER BARRIERS
Corruption
U.S., other foreign, and domestic firms have identified
corruption in Vietnam in all phases of business
operations as an obstacle to their business activities.
Vietnam scored a 2.6 out of a possible high score of 10
points on Transparency International's Corruption
Perception Index. In large part due to a lack of
transparency, accountability, and media freedom,
widespread official corruption and inefficient
bureaucracy remain serious problems that even the
Communist Party of Vietnam and the Government of Vietnam
admit they must address on an urgent basis. Competition
among government agencies for control over business and
investments has created a confusion of overlapping
jurisdictions and bureaucratic procedures and approvals,
which in turn create opportunities for corruption. Low
pay for government officials and woefully inadequate
systems for holding officials accountable for their
actions compound the problems. Implementation of the
Government of Vietnam's public administration reform
program, developed with the assistance of the World Bank,
as well as Vietnam's obligations under the transparency
provisions of the BTA promise some improvement in the
situation in the medium to long term, but it appears
unlikely there will be much improvement in the near term.
End text.
BURGHARDT