n the first phase in 1995, the project focused only on Vietnam, which joined ASEAN in July 1995. One of the tasks Vietnam must accomplish, as a result of its ASEAN membership, is to become a part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) by 2003. Although economic reform in Vietnam has been making remarkable progress, it is a further challenge to adopt the regional arrangement in regard to trade with its present economic situation. The SPAF together with Information and Resource Center (IRC) coordinated the project and held training seminars in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in early 1996.
A total of 180 participants attended the Hanoi seminar and another 150 participants attended the seminar in Ho Chi Minh City. Two delegations from Cambodia and Laos were invited to attend the seminar in Ho Chi Minh City. This was also to prepare the introduction of the assistance program to Cambodia and Laos which have publicly stated their commitment to join ASEAN in 1997.
In FY 1996, Cambodia and Laos were invited to take parts in this project. The two countries have been given official observer status by ASEAN and are expected to be official members in 1997. The objective of the project is to assist policy-makers, officials, academics and businessmen in the CLV countries dealing with AFTA matters with as much information, knowledge and analyses as possible so as to promote their efforts towards joining AFTA. A series of training seminars were held in designated places respectively in collaboration with experts from ASEAN and CLV nations as follows:
Vientiane: June 11-12, 1996
A training seminar was held on 11 and 12 June 1996 for 2 days in Vientiane. Over 100 Participants from various
Phnom Penh July 31 - August1, 1996
Hanoi September 6-7, 1996
Ho Chi Minh City September 9-10, 1996
At the end of fiscal year, proceedings were published and distributed for further reference. In the third phase in 1997, Myanmar will be invited to the project and participate in customs technique seminars together with Cambodia and Laos.