Brian Cowen
Question:14 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by the Government to expand exports to the new opportunity market in Vietnam. [8393/95]
Written Answers. - Exports to Vietnam.
David Andrews
Question:64 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the efforts, if any, that are being made by the Government to expand exports to the new opportunity market in Vietnam. [8463/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 64 together.
The Government is very much aware of the economic expansion taking place in Vietnam and that its imminent membership of ASEAN and application to join the World Trade Organisation are likely to copperfasten its movement toward open trading economy status. An Bord Tráchtála is currently researching possible opportunities for indigenous Irish companies, especially in the multilaterally-funded services sector. Meanwhile the Government will continue to support closer economic and trade links between the European Union and Vietnam. Indeed, only last week, I attended the "Look it's Ireland" promotion in Boston — a joint initiative, supported by An Bord Tráchtála and the Industrial Development Board in Northern Ireland, which has been running in North America for the past three years.
I am confident that An Bord Tráchtála and many representative bodies in the South will continue to build on the positive working relationships they have established with their counterparts in Northern Ireland.