Vietnam is continuing to open up its economy, said World Trade Organisation Director General Pascal Lamy on June 7 during his talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

The talks were held on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum on East Asia in Ho Chi Minh City .

Pascal Lamy said that in 2009, Vietnam responded to the global financial crisis and economic downturn much better than other countries in the region as it maintained a better than average growth rate.

He praised the achievements that Vietnam has made in the three years since it has been a member of the WTO, especially its positive economic restructuring to improve its competitiveness and the level of the country’s foreign direct investment and exports.

He confirmed that the WTO is willing to support Vietnam in this process during the different phases towards integrating into the global economy. It will also provide a consultancy and take in Vietnamese internees to work for the organisation.

PM Dung thanked Director General Lamy for his support during Vietnam ’s negotiations to join the WTO. He said that over the last three years, Vietnam ’s strict compliance to its WTO commitments have helped it to integrate and contribute to international trade as a member of the global trade body.

Vietnam and ASEAN members want the Doha round of trade talks to conclude soon with a balanced and practical outcome that takes into consideration under-developed and developing countries, he said.

The WTO chief agreed with PM Dung’s idea of an early conclusion to the Doha round of talks, stressing that if successful, it will stimulate the global economy and add an impetus to the global financial restructuring process.

He said he hoped that Vietnam , as ASEAN chair and a participant at the forthcoming G20 summit in Canada , will have an important voice, which will help to speed up the Doha talks.

Later the same day, PM Dung received several executives from a number of leading world industrial and financial groups including Dubai Holdings, Deutsche Post DHL and Manpower.

Vietnam is fast on its way to becoming a modern, industrial country, deeply integrated into the world’s economy, he said, adding that the country encourages international investors and groups to invest and expand their businesses in Vietnam.

Many business executives were impressed at Vietnam ’s development and potential, saying that this is the main market that they want to invest and expand their operations in the future./.