Excellencies Ministers,

Distinguished Guests and Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, I would like to extend our warm welcome to Excellencies ASEAN Economic Ministers.  ASEAN Secretary-General and all delegates to Hanoi for the 33rd ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting.  This meeting once again proves the special economic cooperation in ASEAN.  It is also an opportunity for us to review recorded achievements and exchange views on measures to address effectively challenge ahead.

As the financial crisis broke out in 1997, anxieties and concerns about our future development started to arise.  However, driven by our tremendous efforts and valuable assistance of international friends, we were able to reverse the downward trend in 1998, stabilize the financial-economic situation in 1999 and attain a growth rate of 5.3% in 2000.  Political and social instability in some countries has also been sufficiently overcome.  Those achievements have step by step restored the image of a dynamic ASEAN to the world.  However, difficulties and challenges are still ahead.  The global economic slowdown, especially in the US, Japan and the European Union, has adversely affected our economics.  Further aggravated by fierce international competition, the investment flow into ASEAN has been declining.  We, therefore, should not be prematurely satisfied.  Instead, we should continue to reinforce economic reforms and development in each member, as well as support and promote regional economic growth, through intensifying ASEAN economic cooperation, so that our people can enjoy sustained prosperity.

In pursuit of long-term objectives, we are strongly resolved to realize concrete goals in the immediate future.  I believe that with the successful implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), ASEAN Investment Area (AIA), ASEAN Industrial Cooperation and other programmes, we will be able to promote strongly trade and investment as well as enhance the ASEAN economics competitiveness in the region and the world.

The Common Effective Preferential Tariff scheme for the implementation of the ASEAN Free Trade Area has laid the groundwork for numerous economic cooperation activities, which have been actively undertaken.  The Government of Vietnam committees to accelerate the implementation of AFTA as endorsed at the Hanoi ASEAN Summit in December 1998.  In 2001, we have phased in 700 tariff lines to the Inclusion List, raising the total number of tariff lines in this list to 4.933 and 65% of which enjoy tariff rates between 0-5 percent.

Attracting external investment and expanding intra-ASEAN investment relations are important tasks.  In this regard, I welcome the signing of the Protocol to Amend the Framework Agreement on the ASEAN Investment Area by Investment Ministers, which accelerates the opening up of sectors and grants national treatment to ASEAN investors.  Thus, the attractiveness of ASEAN investment climate will be intensified, remarkably promoting investment activities in the region.

The 34th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM 34) held in Hanoi in July this year emphasized the need to strengthen economic linkages in ASEAN. In this regard, one of the objectives as recognized at the 4th ASEAN Informal Summit in Singapore last November is to quickly narrow the development gap among ASEAN countries as well as between ASEAN and other regions in the world.  I, therefore, welcome and strongly support the initiative on an ASEAN Integration System of Preferences (AISP).  Such an arrangement will assist member countries to hasten their integration, boost intra-ASEAN trade and create the most favourable environment for activities of all investors.

I also would like to especially welcome technical assistance programmes implemented by ASEAN to help new members.  Capacity building programmes through technical assistance will raise the integration capability of the new members, deepen mutual trust and understanding as a momentum for closer ASEAN coherence.  I call upon all ASEAN member countries with their own possibilities, to make greater efforts for the successful realization of the "Initiative for ASEAN Integration".

Information technology plays an important role in the new economy in the 21st century.  In APEC, ASEM and WTO conferences, bridging the digital divide has been high on the agenda.  ASEAN has taken bold steps in this issue by signing the "e-ASEAN Framework Agreement" at the 4th Informal Summit.  I would like to call on Excellencies Ministers to focus on speeding up the implementation of this Agreement.

While promoting intra-ASEAN economic cooperation, we need to strengthen our economic relation with the rest of the world.  I welcome initiatives for closer economic partnership between ASEAN and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand.  At the same time, we should also actively bolster our economic bonds with the US, Europe and other regions in the world.  The ministerial consultations with these partners should aim to explore effective ways to intensify economic cooperation in the interest of all sides.

Globalization presents us with not only opportunities but also challenges.  However we should avoid the case, where globalization benefit only rich countries while leaving poor nations further behind.  Let us join hands and together with other developing countries to strive for equality and development for all nations.

Vietnam constantly supports the launch of a new round of negotiations in the WTO on an equal and fair basis, and in the interests of all nations people.  As an ASEAN member, Vietnam wishes an early accession to the WTO with necessary preferences applicable to developing countries.  I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincerely thanks to ASEAN member countries and Excellencies Ministers for your valuable assistance extended to Vietnam in preparation and negotiation for WTO membership.

Challenges lying ahead require us to take greater efforts to enhance cooperation in the spirit of the ASEAN friendship and unity, that is a source of strength for us to realize commitments before our people - turning ASEAN in region of peace, stability and prosperous development.

Thank you for your kind attention.