Australia and the United Kingdom have pledged 15 million U.S. dollars in support for a technical assistance program geared to help Vietnam implement its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO), local newspaper Vietnam News reported Thursday.

An agreement to this effect was signed in Hanoi on Wednesday by representatives from the three governments. The six-year Beyond WTO Program, commencing this year, is aimed at sustainable development and poverty reduction through the implementation of Vietnam's WTO commitments.

The program focuses on improving capacity of policy makers, mitigating the negative impacts of integration on vulnerable groups, addressing negative environmental effects, and boosting dissemination of information about WTO-related issues.

Vietnam's officially became the 150th member of the WTO on Nov. 11, 2006, helping it boost export of goods and services, lure more partners and foreign direct investment, and deal with potential trade disputes under the organization's mechanism.

Source: Xinhua