Vietnam, Brazil sign trade pact

Vietnam and Brazil signed an agreement on most-favored-nation treatment during a two-day visit by President Tran Duc Luong (Nov. 16-17), signing for Brazil was President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. They agreed to cut tarriffs in bilateral trade and eliminate non-tarriff bariers. They also agreed on a partial abolition of visa requirements in order to simplify travel between the two countries, and discussed other issues such as cooperation in combatting AIDS and reforming the UN Security Council. Trade between Brazil and Vietnam this year has amounted to $53.3 million, compared to $47 million last year. (Xinhua, VNA Nov. 18).

Luong then visited Chile, where he signed with Chilean president Ricardo Lagos signed an agreement on
cooperation in the fisheries and science fields. Lagos expessed support for Vietnam becoming a member of the World Trade Organization. (AP Nov. 18).