Vietnam strives to fully join AFTA in 2006.

(From Thai Press Reports)

Section: Regional News - From July 1, 2006 Vietnam will have to fully implement its commitments to the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), under which ASEAN-member countries' goods exported to Vietnam will enjoy a tariff of between zero and 5 percent. During the past 10 years, since Vietnam became an official member of the block, Vietnam has been working to reduce import tariffs on all commodities, but this gradual opening of the market has brought about both opportunities and challenges.

Vietnam begun to reduce tariffs as required by AFTA on January 1, 1996, about six months after it became the seventh ASEAN member.

Deputy …