.
American workers and workers around the world ask for "A Level Playing Field". This would be the basic social equity, a natural right for all people in any country to establish a sustainable development in peace and prosperity.
This is the core value of democracy
.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Obama Administration Has Illuminated Stellar Leadership in an Austere Environment
.
THE WHITE HOUSE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013
President Obama released his $3.8 Trillion 2013 budget proposal on Monday, Februrary 13. White House Acting Budget Director Jeffrey Zients and other Obama Administration economic and domestic policy advisers held a briefing to outline the details.
This plan includes $4 trillion in deficit cuts projected over decade. The blue print also aims to lower it to about $901 billion for 2013 with proposed tax increases on upper income Americans.
The President travels to Annandale, Virginia, Monday and unveiled his budget plan at Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus. He also released more details about the college affordability plan, part of the 2013 Budget Request.
House Republicans are likely to present their competing version of the budget request later this month.
The budget request serves as a baseline for budget negotiations in the coming months.
The President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2013
After President Obama signed and released the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013, Secretaries of the Obama Administration have been testifying before Congress to justify the budget proposed for their department.
Testimonies for Budget Requested
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified on Feb 28/ 29 and commanded tremendous respect from all members of Congress. Energy Secretary Chu testified on Feb 28 (his birthday and wedding anniversary) for a "painfully thin budget" while taking on many important energy renewal projects. Dr. Chu also commanded overwhelmingly respect and appreciation. The Obama Administration illuminates exemplary leadership in an austere environment.
Genie Nguyen of VVA attended this hearing. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received tremendous respect and praises by all members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. There was significant concern of inadequate funding to support the US global leadership role. Sec Clinton has illustrated her leadership in an austere environment and skillful stewardship over many challenges.
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Source: CSPAN.
Washington, DC
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Energy Secretary Stephen Chu testified before the House Appropriations Committee about his department's $27.2 billion budget request Tuesday afternoon. This is a 3.2 percent increase over the department's enacted 2012 budget.
The request includes increases in funding for clean energy, research and development and advanced manufacturing. The $5 billion request for funding for the Office of Science is a more than 2 percent, or $118 million, increase over 2012 and promohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftes continued U.S. leadership in basic research.
Despite the overall increase, the budget cuts $4 billion annually by eliminating inefficient and outdated fuel subsidies. Additionally, the request focuses on fully utilizing existing facilities and infrastructure.
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Secretary-Chu-Explains-Energy-Department39s-27B-Budget-Request/10737428592-1/
Voice of Vietnamese Americans honors and deeply appreciates the service of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, an Asian American leader in the austere environment. Dr. Chu testified for a "painfully thin budget" on his birthday and his wedding anniversary. Happy Birthday, and Happy Anniversary, Dr. Chu. Energy has been the main focus for the US during this challenging time.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans deeply appreciates the long-term vision and stellar leadership or President Obama and the Obama Administration.
.
THE WHITE HOUSE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013
President Obama released his $3.8 Trillion 2013 budget proposal on Monday, Februrary 13. White House Acting Budget Director Jeffrey Zients and other Obama Administration economic and domestic policy advisers held a briefing to outline the details.
This plan includes $4 trillion in deficit cuts projected over decade. The blue print also aims to lower it to about $901 billion for 2013 with proposed tax increases on upper income Americans.
The President travels to Annandale, Virginia, Monday and unveiled his budget plan at Northern Virginia Community College’s Annandale campus. He also released more details about the college affordability plan, part of the 2013 Budget Request.
House Republicans are likely to present their competing version of the budget request later this month.
The budget request serves as a baseline for budget negotiations in the coming months.
The President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2013
After President Obama signed and released the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013, Secretaries of the Obama Administration have been testifying before Congress to justify the budget proposed for their department.
Testimonies for Budget Requested
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton testified on Feb 28/ 29 and commanded tremendous respect from all members of Congress. Energy Secretary Chu testified on Feb 28 (his birthday and wedding anniversary) for a "painfully thin budget" while taking on many important energy renewal projects. Dr. Chu also commanded overwhelmingly respect and appreciation. The Obama Administration illuminates exemplary leadership in an austere environment.
Genie Nguyen of VVA attended this hearing. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received tremendous respect and praises by all members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. There was significant concern of inadequate funding to support the US global leadership role. Sec Clinton has illustrated her leadership in an austere environment and skillful stewardship over many challenges.
Source: CSPAN.
Washington, DC
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Energy Secretary Stephen Chu testified before the House Appropriations Committee about his department's $27.2 billion budget request Tuesday afternoon. This is a 3.2 percent increase over the department's enacted 2012 budget.
The request includes increases in funding for clean energy, research and development and advanced manufacturing. The $5 billion request for funding for the Office of Science is a more than 2 percent, or $118 million, increase over 2012 and promohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giftes continued U.S. leadership in basic research.
Despite the overall increase, the budget cuts $4 billion annually by eliminating inefficient and outdated fuel subsidies. Additionally, the request focuses on fully utilizing existing facilities and infrastructure.
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Secretary-Chu-Explains-Energy-Department39s-27B-Budget-Request/10737428592-1/
Voice of Vietnamese Americans honors and deeply appreciates the service of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu, an Asian American leader in the austere environment. Dr. Chu testified for a "painfully thin budget" on his birthday and his wedding anniversary. Happy Birthday, and Happy Anniversary, Dr. Chu. Energy has been the main focus for the US during this challenging time.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans deeply appreciates the long-term vision and stellar leadership or President Obama and the Obama Administration.
.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Voter Education Campaign Tomorrow, Feb. 29 in Springfield, Va.
VVA Invites Virginians to Participate in Local Voter
Education Campaign Wednesday, Feb. 29
Voice of Vietnamese Americans invites you to join us as we partner with several progressive groups in a voter education campaign tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 29. We will be providing information to voters about Delegate Dave Albo’s and Delegate Tim Hugo’s activities in the General Assembly.
“We are educating our community about issues and proposed policies that could detrimentally affect hardworking Virginians,” Genie Nguyen, VVA President said. “Our fundamental freedom will be stripped from us if we do not speak up against attempts that suppress the vote."
As the state legislature session is nearing to an end, VVA is working to ensure constituents are informed on numerous bills of significance importance to residents of the 40th and 42nd House of Delegate districts. Issues include the right to vote, immigration and other issues.
Event: Voter education outreach
Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: 6367 Rolling Mill Place
Suite 102
Springfield, Virginia 22152
Today, VVA issued a statement expressing disappointment about the voter suppression bill recently passed by the tie-breaking vote of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.
VVA urges state lawmakers to make and protect smart investments in Virginia based on the voice of the people. Join us as we educate and mobilize Fairfax County residents about advocating several issues, which include the protection of the fundamental right to vote.
Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: 6367 Rolling Mill Place
Suite 102
Springfield, Virginia 22152
Today, VVA issued a statement expressing disappointment about the voter suppression bill recently passed by the tie-breaking vote of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.
VVA urges state lawmakers to make and protect smart investments in Virginia based on the voice of the people. Join us as we educate and mobilize Fairfax County residents about advocating several issues, which include the protection of the fundamental right to vote.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans Shares Virginians’ Concern on Voter Suppression Bill
Press Statement: February 28, 2012
Contact: Vel Hernandez (703) 362-7873
Contact: Vel Hernandez (703) 362-7873
Voice of Vietnamese
Americans Shares Virginians’ Concern on Voter Suppression Bill
“Lt. Gov. Bolling has
served Virginians very badly
by his tie-breaking vote to pass the voter ID bill”
by his tie-breaking vote to pass the voter ID bill”
Fairfax, Virginia – Voice of Vietnamese Americans
(VVA) shares Virginians’ disappointment with Lieutenant Governor’s Bill
Bolling’s tie-breaking vote on February 27 to pass the voter ID bill in the
Senate
Lt. Gov. Bolling has served Virginians very
badly by his vote to break the 20/20 tie in the Senate to pass SB 1, the bill that
could ultimately suppress the votes of minorities,
the elderly, disabled and students.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans, a Fairfax-based group that promotes civic engagement, has contacted thousands of voters in Fairfax County about this issue, and a majority of voters whom we have talked to have voiced their opinions in opposition to baseless voter suppression bills, such as the one passed yesterday.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans, a Fairfax-based group that promotes civic engagement, has contacted thousands of voters in Fairfax County about this issue, and a majority of voters whom we have talked to have voiced their opinions in opposition to baseless voter suppression bills, such as the one passed yesterday.
VVA is urging Governor Bob McDonnell to veto the
bill.
Proponents, including Lt. Gov. Bolling, of these voter suppression bills claim that they are addressing a problem of voter fraud in Virginia. But they have provided no evidence of it being an issue at all in our state. These bills are baseless, because they claim to be solutions to problems that do not exist in Virginia. Not only are these bills groundless, they also cost millions to maintain. It makes no sense to waste our money on things Virginia does not need.
VVA has received many hand-written post cards ready to be sent to Governor Bob McDonnell, signed personally by Fairfax County voters, with some saying, ‘Voting is a right not to be tampered with’ and ‘Please do not make it harder to vote. That is the wrong direction for Virginia.’ And we agree.
A growing number of fellow Virginians believe this would be the wrong direction for our commonwealth. Save our democracy. Do not make voting harder in Virginia. Veto the bill.
Proponents, including Lt. Gov. Bolling, of these voter suppression bills claim that they are addressing a problem of voter fraud in Virginia. But they have provided no evidence of it being an issue at all in our state. These bills are baseless, because they claim to be solutions to problems that do not exist in Virginia. Not only are these bills groundless, they also cost millions to maintain. It makes no sense to waste our money on things Virginia does not need.
VVA has received many hand-written post cards ready to be sent to Governor Bob McDonnell, signed personally by Fairfax County voters, with some saying, ‘Voting is a right not to be tampered with’ and ‘Please do not make it harder to vote. That is the wrong direction for Virginia.’ And we agree.
A growing number of fellow Virginians believe this would be the wrong direction for our commonwealth. Save our democracy. Do not make voting harder in Virginia. Veto the bill.
###
The mission
of Voice of Vietnamese Americans is to empower Americans by promoting civic
engagement through community organizing and capacity building. Voice of
Vietnamese Americans enhances, defends, and protects the American core values
of human rights, civil rights, democracy, liberty, and justice for all.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Voice of Vietnamese Americans Urges Vietnam to Improve its Human Rights, to Reform its SOEs, and to Protect the Environment in TPP Negotiation
.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans Urges Vietnam to Improve its Human Rights, to Reform its SOEs, and to Protect the Environment in TPP Negotiation.
Vietnam should earnestly conform to its agreements and the regulations of the TPP. This would help Vietnam to make a smooth transition into a better future with sustainable development, prosperity, and democracy.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans applauds Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, Deputy USTR, for urging Vietnam to ensure a level playing field in the TPP negotiation by having its SOEs conform to the rule of law. Voice of Vietnamese Americans strongly recommends a level playing field for American workers by having Vietnam respecting labor laws and human rights of Vietnamese workers as part of the negotiation.
Phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ Demetrios Marantis. Ảnh: VA
Mỹ muốn Việt Nam cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước
Source: Vietnam Net
- Phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ Demetrios Marantis cho hay Mỹ muốn Việt Nam cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước, theo hướng đáp ứng những "tiêu chuẩn quốc tế", trong sân chơi thương mại khu vực rộng lớn của TPP - Hiệp định Thương mại xuyên Thái Bình Dương.
Có mặt tại Hà Nội từ 21 đến 25/2, phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ đã có các cuộc trao đổi, làm việc mang tính kỹ thuật về đàm phán TPP giữa Mỹ với Việt Nam, đề cập cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước, sửa đổi luật lao động, quyền sở hữu trí tuệ, phát triển các dịch vụ thương mại...
Thương mại công bằng
Cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước luôn là một trong những vấn đề trung tâm của đàm phán giữa hai bên mà theo ông Demetrios Marantis, Mỹ muốn có những quy định, tiêu chuẩn mang tính quốc tế đối với thành phần kinh tế quốc doanh này trong khuôn khổ TPP. Trong khi, xuất phát điểm đàm phán, Việt Nam muốn bảo lưu luật chơi của WTO, tức doanh nghiệp nhà nước tuân theo những luật lệ, quy định chung của tổ chức thương mại quốc tế toàn cầu này mà không cần đặt ra thêm những quy định mới trong TPP.
"Điều chúng tôi muốn đạt trong TPP, đó là tạo sân chơi công bằng. Chúng tôi muốn đảm bảo rằng doanh nghiệp tư nhân và nhà nước cạnh tranh trên sân chơi công bằng, không thể doanh nghiệp nhà nước được lợi hơn chỉ vì họ là doanh nghiệp nhà nước. Và điều này liên quan đến các cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước của Việt Nam" - ông Demetrios Marantis nói với báo giới tại Hà Nội sáng 24/2. Ông khẳng định TPP bao gồm các cam kết giúp Việt Nam cải cách nói chung, đạt tiêu chuẩn quốc tế trong các lĩnh vực khiến cho Việt Nam "trở nên hấp dẫn hơn".
Việt Nam và Mỹ cùng các thành viên đàm phán TPP là Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia đang trong giai đoạn đàm phán nước rút để tiến tới việc ký kết chính thức Hiệp định Thương mại xuyên Thái Bình Dương - TPP trong năm nay như ý chí của nguyên thủ cấp cao 9 nước đồng thuận tại hội nghị ở Hololunu - Mỹ năm ngoái.
Xét tổng thể về đàm phán TPP, phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ nói ông lạc quan về lộ trình đàm phán và hy vọng vòng đàm phán tiếp theo tại Melbourne sắp tới sẽ có bước đột phá quan trọng, bất chấp một số khó khăn mới nảy sinh liên quan đến những vấn đề lợi ích thực chất, cốt lõi giữa các bên liên quan.
Ông Demetrios Marantis cũng khẳng định, giữa 9 nước thành viên đàm phán TPP, những vấn đề lợi ích đặt lên bàn đối thoại không phải là "gây ngạc nhiên" lẫn nhau. Với Việt Nam, ông hy vọng Mỹ sẽ dàn xếp ổn thỏa trong đàm phán về những vấn đề lợi ích cốt lõi để đạt được thỏa thuận chấp nhận được cho cả hai bên.
Nếu như Hiệp định Thương mại song phương (BTA) đi vào lịch sử bởi tạo ra kỳ tích thương mại khởi sự từ 400 triệu USD kim ngạch vào năm 1994 lên 21,8 tỷ USD vào năm 2011, thì TPP sẽ đẩy nhanh hơn nữa tốc độ tăng trưởng thương mại, đầu tư giữa Việt Nam và Mỹ. Ông Demetrios Marantis khẳng định chắc nịch điều này khi cho hay đàm phán TPP đang tiến triển rất nhanh, chuẩn bị kết thúc để đi đến ký kết chính thức.
Song song với đàm phán, 9 nước cũng đang tiến hành tham vấn nội bộ riêng ý tưởng ba nước Nhật Bản, Canada, Mexico ngỏ ý muốn gia nhập TPP. Sau khi TPP chính thức ký kết, việc tiếp nạp 3 nước mới gia nhập đàm phán sẽ khiến TPP trở nên mạnh mẽ với việc thiết lập một vành đai kinh tế, thương mại xuyên vùng Thái Bình Dương.
25 đại diện doanh nghiệp Hoa Kỳ với những tên tuổi lớn như Omnicom, Medtronic Asia Pacific, Food Industry Asia... đã có chuyến thăm và làm việc tại TP.HCM và Hà Nội từ 21-24/2 để tìm hiểu cơ hội hợp tác, đầu tư trong các lĩnh vực như y tế, giáo dục, giao thông, truyền thông, công nghệ thông tin, thực phẩm...
Chuyến đi do Phòng Thương mại Hoa Kỳ (AmCham) tại Singapore tổ chức. Đoàn do Đại sứ Hoa Kỳ tại Singapore David Adelman dẫn đầu đã gặp phó Thủ tướng Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, lãnh đạo các Bộ Công Thương, Tài chính, Y tế và Kế hoạch - Đầu tư. Đại sứ Adelman đánh giá các cuộc gặp này hữu ích, mở ra nhiều cơ hội hợp tác đầu tư cho hai bên.
Giám đốc điều hành AmCham Singapore Josie Tulipano cho biết đây chỉ là 25 đại diện cho một số lượng lớn hơn nhiều các doanh nghiệp Mỹ đăng ký tham gia chuyến đi, "minh chứng cho sức hấp dẫn của Việt Nam, một điểm đến cho đầu tư và kinh doanh".
Đại sứ Mỹ tại Việt Nam David Shear nhận định: "Khi Việt Nam tiếp tục phát triển, ngày càng có nhiều cơ hội cho các công ty Mỹ". Ông hy vọng các công ty này sẽ tạo ra nhiều việc làm và thịnh vượng cho cả hai nước.
Đại sứ Shear cũng mong kết thúc thành công các cuộc đàm phán TPP để Việt Nam, Mỹ, Singapore cùng sáu quốc gia khác gia nhập một thoả thuận thương mại tự do tiêu chuẩn cao.
X.Linh - T.Chung
Vietnam Net
24/02/2012 03:18:26 PM (GMT+7)
______________________________________
Footwear, garment exporters put high hope on TPP
Source: Vietnam Net Bridge
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/business/17976/footwear--garment-exporters-put-high-hope-on-tpp.html
VietNamNet Bridge – The enterprises in garment and footwear industries – the two biggest exporters of Vietnam – are expecting the opportunities to penetrate more deeply into the US market, when the Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP is signed.
With TPP, the tariffs imposed on the goods that Vietnam and TPP-member countries export to the US would decrease gradually before they are absolutely removed.
This means that when Vietnam’s garment and footwear products can be exempted from tax, it would have great competitiveness on the US market in comparison with other rivals.
However, sources have said that a new problem has arisen after the latest TPP negotiation round. The US trade representative has asked to apply the “yarn forward” principle, with which, Vietnamese garment products can only enjoy preferential tariffs when yarn and post-yarn production stages (fabric, cutting and tailoring) are done in the countries that join TPP, and only fiber could be sourced from the countries that are not the members of TPP.
Dang Phuong Dung, Secretary General of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association Vitas, said that if the above said principle is applied, not only Vietnamese, but the US investors in Vietnam will also not be able to get benefits from the TPP, because they only make the cutting and tailoring.
Eric Emerson, a Lawyer from the US, also told VietNamNet that changing or relaxing the “yarn forward” rule could substantially increase Vietnam’s access to the U.S. market.
The US is the biggest market for Vietnamese footwear and garment exporters which decides the development of the two important industries of Vietnam. Therefore, economists have urged the negotiation team to suggest the solutions to harmonize the interests of the involving parties and avoid disadvantages for the two Vietnamese industries.
Tran Quang Nghi, General Director of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group Vinatex, the biggest garment producer in Vietnam, also said that the US market consumes more than 50 percent of the total export turnover of the industry.
When TPP officially takes effect, garment seems to be the industry which can most clearly enjoy the benefits from the agreement. If the negotiations succeed, up to 95 product lines of Vietnam to be exported to the US would be able to enjoy the zero tariffs.
Footwear producers also hope to boost exports to the US, once TPP takes effect. According to Nguyen Duc Thuan, President of Thai Binh Footwear Company, with TPP, it is very likely that the tariffs on Vietnamese shoes would be halved.
When commenting about TPP, experts all agree that this is for first time Vietnam joins the negotiations for multilateral FTA (free trade agreement) with such a fast pace, broad scope of issues to be touched, and a high level of commitment and complexity.
TPP is also believed to set up many stricter requirements on the environment, labor and intellectual property. However, according to the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association Lefaso, these requirements can be well satisfied by Vietnamese companies.
Ha Duy Hung, Chair of the HCM City Leather and Footwear Association, said that TPP would bring a golden opportunity for the Vietnam’s footwear and handbag production. In 2011, Vietnam’s garment export turnover to the US reached 7.1 billion dollars, accounting for 50 percent of the total garment export turnover, an increase of 13 percent over 2010. Meanwhile, the footwear export turnover to the market reached 2 billion dollars, and handbag exports brought 700 million dollars.
Source: TBKTVN
Voice of Vietnamese Americans Urges Vietnam to Improve its Human Rights, to Reform its SOEs, and to Protect the Environment in TPP Negotiation.
Vietnam should earnestly conform to its agreements and the regulations of the TPP. This would help Vietnam to make a smooth transition into a better future with sustainable development, prosperity, and democracy.
Voice of Vietnamese Americans applauds Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, Deputy USTR, for urging Vietnam to ensure a level playing field in the TPP negotiation by having its SOEs conform to the rule of law. Voice of Vietnamese Americans strongly recommends a level playing field for American workers by having Vietnam respecting labor laws and human rights of Vietnamese workers as part of the negotiation.
Phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ Demetrios Marantis. Ảnh: VA
Mỹ muốn Việt Nam cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước
Source: Vietnam Net
- Phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ Demetrios Marantis cho hay Mỹ muốn Việt Nam cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước, theo hướng đáp ứng những "tiêu chuẩn quốc tế", trong sân chơi thương mại khu vực rộng lớn của TPP - Hiệp định Thương mại xuyên Thái Bình Dương.
Có mặt tại Hà Nội từ 21 đến 25/2, phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ đã có các cuộc trao đổi, làm việc mang tính kỹ thuật về đàm phán TPP giữa Mỹ với Việt Nam, đề cập cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước, sửa đổi luật lao động, quyền sở hữu trí tuệ, phát triển các dịch vụ thương mại...
Thương mại công bằng
Cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước luôn là một trong những vấn đề trung tâm của đàm phán giữa hai bên mà theo ông Demetrios Marantis, Mỹ muốn có những quy định, tiêu chuẩn mang tính quốc tế đối với thành phần kinh tế quốc doanh này trong khuôn khổ TPP. Trong khi, xuất phát điểm đàm phán, Việt Nam muốn bảo lưu luật chơi của WTO, tức doanh nghiệp nhà nước tuân theo những luật lệ, quy định chung của tổ chức thương mại quốc tế toàn cầu này mà không cần đặt ra thêm những quy định mới trong TPP.
"Điều chúng tôi muốn đạt trong TPP, đó là tạo sân chơi công bằng. Chúng tôi muốn đảm bảo rằng doanh nghiệp tư nhân và nhà nước cạnh tranh trên sân chơi công bằng, không thể doanh nghiệp nhà nước được lợi hơn chỉ vì họ là doanh nghiệp nhà nước. Và điều này liên quan đến các cải cách doanh nghiệp nhà nước của Việt Nam" - ông Demetrios Marantis nói với báo giới tại Hà Nội sáng 24/2. Ông khẳng định TPP bao gồm các cam kết giúp Việt Nam cải cách nói chung, đạt tiêu chuẩn quốc tế trong các lĩnh vực khiến cho Việt Nam "trở nên hấp dẫn hơn".
Việt Nam và Mỹ cùng các thành viên đàm phán TPP là Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia đang trong giai đoạn đàm phán nước rút để tiến tới việc ký kết chính thức Hiệp định Thương mại xuyên Thái Bình Dương - TPP trong năm nay như ý chí của nguyên thủ cấp cao 9 nước đồng thuận tại hội nghị ở Hololunu - Mỹ năm ngoái.
Xét tổng thể về đàm phán TPP, phó đại diện thương mại Mỹ nói ông lạc quan về lộ trình đàm phán và hy vọng vòng đàm phán tiếp theo tại Melbourne sắp tới sẽ có bước đột phá quan trọng, bất chấp một số khó khăn mới nảy sinh liên quan đến những vấn đề lợi ích thực chất, cốt lõi giữa các bên liên quan.
Ông Demetrios Marantis cũng khẳng định, giữa 9 nước thành viên đàm phán TPP, những vấn đề lợi ích đặt lên bàn đối thoại không phải là "gây ngạc nhiên" lẫn nhau. Với Việt Nam, ông hy vọng Mỹ sẽ dàn xếp ổn thỏa trong đàm phán về những vấn đề lợi ích cốt lõi để đạt được thỏa thuận chấp nhận được cho cả hai bên.
Nếu như Hiệp định Thương mại song phương (BTA) đi vào lịch sử bởi tạo ra kỳ tích thương mại khởi sự từ 400 triệu USD kim ngạch vào năm 1994 lên 21,8 tỷ USD vào năm 2011, thì TPP sẽ đẩy nhanh hơn nữa tốc độ tăng trưởng thương mại, đầu tư giữa Việt Nam và Mỹ. Ông Demetrios Marantis khẳng định chắc nịch điều này khi cho hay đàm phán TPP đang tiến triển rất nhanh, chuẩn bị kết thúc để đi đến ký kết chính thức.
Song song với đàm phán, 9 nước cũng đang tiến hành tham vấn nội bộ riêng ý tưởng ba nước Nhật Bản, Canada, Mexico ngỏ ý muốn gia nhập TPP. Sau khi TPP chính thức ký kết, việc tiếp nạp 3 nước mới gia nhập đàm phán sẽ khiến TPP trở nên mạnh mẽ với việc thiết lập một vành đai kinh tế, thương mại xuyên vùng Thái Bình Dương.
25 đại diện doanh nghiệp Hoa Kỳ với những tên tuổi lớn như Omnicom, Medtronic Asia Pacific, Food Industry Asia... đã có chuyến thăm và làm việc tại TP.HCM và Hà Nội từ 21-24/2 để tìm hiểu cơ hội hợp tác, đầu tư trong các lĩnh vực như y tế, giáo dục, giao thông, truyền thông, công nghệ thông tin, thực phẩm...
Chuyến đi do Phòng Thương mại Hoa Kỳ (AmCham) tại Singapore tổ chức. Đoàn do Đại sứ Hoa Kỳ tại Singapore David Adelman dẫn đầu đã gặp phó Thủ tướng Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, lãnh đạo các Bộ Công Thương, Tài chính, Y tế và Kế hoạch - Đầu tư. Đại sứ Adelman đánh giá các cuộc gặp này hữu ích, mở ra nhiều cơ hội hợp tác đầu tư cho hai bên.
Giám đốc điều hành AmCham Singapore Josie Tulipano cho biết đây chỉ là 25 đại diện cho một số lượng lớn hơn nhiều các doanh nghiệp Mỹ đăng ký tham gia chuyến đi, "minh chứng cho sức hấp dẫn của Việt Nam, một điểm đến cho đầu tư và kinh doanh".
Đại sứ Mỹ tại Việt Nam David Shear nhận định: "Khi Việt Nam tiếp tục phát triển, ngày càng có nhiều cơ hội cho các công ty Mỹ". Ông hy vọng các công ty này sẽ tạo ra nhiều việc làm và thịnh vượng cho cả hai nước.
Đại sứ Shear cũng mong kết thúc thành công các cuộc đàm phán TPP để Việt Nam, Mỹ, Singapore cùng sáu quốc gia khác gia nhập một thoả thuận thương mại tự do tiêu chuẩn cao.
X.Linh - T.Chung
Vietnam Net
24/02/2012 03:18:26 PM (GMT+7)
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Footwear, garment exporters put high hope on TPP
Source: Vietnam Net Bridge
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/business/17976/footwear--garment-exporters-put-high-hope-on-tpp.html
VietNamNet Bridge – The enterprises in garment and footwear industries – the two biggest exporters of Vietnam – are expecting the opportunities to penetrate more deeply into the US market, when the Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP is signed.
With TPP, the tariffs imposed on the goods that Vietnam and TPP-member countries export to the US would decrease gradually before they are absolutely removed.
This means that when Vietnam’s garment and footwear products can be exempted from tax, it would have great competitiveness on the US market in comparison with other rivals.
However, sources have said that a new problem has arisen after the latest TPP negotiation round. The US trade representative has asked to apply the “yarn forward” principle, with which, Vietnamese garment products can only enjoy preferential tariffs when yarn and post-yarn production stages (fabric, cutting and tailoring) are done in the countries that join TPP, and only fiber could be sourced from the countries that are not the members of TPP.
Dang Phuong Dung, Secretary General of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association Vitas, said that if the above said principle is applied, not only Vietnamese, but the US investors in Vietnam will also not be able to get benefits from the TPP, because they only make the cutting and tailoring.
Eric Emerson, a Lawyer from the US, also told VietNamNet that changing or relaxing the “yarn forward” rule could substantially increase Vietnam’s access to the U.S. market.
The US is the biggest market for Vietnamese footwear and garment exporters which decides the development of the two important industries of Vietnam. Therefore, economists have urged the negotiation team to suggest the solutions to harmonize the interests of the involving parties and avoid disadvantages for the two Vietnamese industries.
Tran Quang Nghi, General Director of the Vietnam Textile and Garment Group Vinatex, the biggest garment producer in Vietnam, also said that the US market consumes more than 50 percent of the total export turnover of the industry.
When TPP officially takes effect, garment seems to be the industry which can most clearly enjoy the benefits from the agreement. If the negotiations succeed, up to 95 product lines of Vietnam to be exported to the US would be able to enjoy the zero tariffs.
Footwear producers also hope to boost exports to the US, once TPP takes effect. According to Nguyen Duc Thuan, President of Thai Binh Footwear Company, with TPP, it is very likely that the tariffs on Vietnamese shoes would be halved.
When commenting about TPP, experts all agree that this is for first time Vietnam joins the negotiations for multilateral FTA (free trade agreement) with such a fast pace, broad scope of issues to be touched, and a high level of commitment and complexity.
TPP is also believed to set up many stricter requirements on the environment, labor and intellectual property. However, according to the Vietnam Leather and Footwear Association Lefaso, these requirements can be well satisfied by Vietnamese companies.
Ha Duy Hung, Chair of the HCM City Leather and Footwear Association, said that TPP would bring a golden opportunity for the Vietnam’s footwear and handbag production. In 2011, Vietnam’s garment export turnover to the US reached 7.1 billion dollars, accounting for 50 percent of the total garment export turnover, an increase of 13 percent over 2010. Meanwhile, the footwear export turnover to the market reached 2 billion dollars, and handbag exports brought 700 million dollars.
Source: TBKTVN
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates the New National Museum of African American History and Culture
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Voice of Vietname Americans congratulates the New National Museum of African American History and Culture, to be located on the Mall in Washington.
Washington, DC
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
President Obama joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, to be located on the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifMall in Washington.
In addition to the President, other speakers included former first lady Laura Bush, U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia and the museum’s director Lonnie Bunch. Actress and singer Phylicia Rashad serves as the emcee of the ceremony.
The National African American Museum is scheduled to open in 2015 and will be the only national museum dedicated exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture.
Congress has already pledged to provide half of the 500 million museum project cost.
.
Voice of Vietname Americans congratulates the New National Museum of African American History and Culture, to be located on the Mall in Washington.
Washington, DC
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
President Obama joined other dignitaries at a groundbreaking ceremony for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, to be located on the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifMall in Washington.
In addition to the President, other speakers included former first lady Laura Bush, U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia and the museum’s director Lonnie Bunch. Actress and singer Phylicia Rashad serves as the emcee of the ceremony.
The National African American Museum is scheduled to open in 2015 and will be the only national museum dedicated exclusively to the documentation of African American life, art, history and culture.
Congress has already pledged to provide half of the 500 million museum project cost.
.
Secretary Clinton Delivers Remarks on Youth in Tunisia
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Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates Tunisia and its people for the new found freedom and hard-earned democracy. May the lesson be repeated in Vietnam, North Korea, and China.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on youth followed by a Q&A session in Tunis, Tunisia on February 25, 2012. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]
Uploaded by statevideo on Feb 25, 2012
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on youth followed by a Q&A session in Tunis, Tunisia on February 25, 2012. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]
Voice of Vietnamese Americans congratulates Tunisia and its people for the new found freedom and hard-earned democracy. May the lesson be repeated in Vietnam, North Korea, and China.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on youth followed by a Q&A session in Tunis, Tunisia on February 25, 2012. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]
Uploaded by statevideo on Feb 25, 2012
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks on youth followed by a Q&A session in Tunis, Tunisia on February 25, 2012. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]
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