On behalf of the Vietnam Shipowners' Association, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Australian Shipowners Association for hospitably hosting the 14th ASF forum in the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, from 9-11 May 2005. I am grateful to all ASF delegates for their kind cooperation extended to VSA over the past years.

The ASF meeting continues to be proven worthy, a leading shipping forum in the region, where shipping circles can share and exchange views and matters of common concern in respect of the world shipping industry, especially as the Asia-Pacific region proves to hold great potential in sustainable economic growth and trade/maritime development.

We are firmly confident that with the close cooperation and consultation between ASF members, our task will succeed.

As you know that Vietnam is in the negotiating process for joining the WTO, and in the meantime the Vietnamese Government has submitted the amended Maritime Code to the National Assembly for final approval. Upon adoption, our Maritime Code will be in conformity with international practice and international economic integration.

We understand the challenges that are ahead of us; however we do hope that with the support of ASF members, our progress will be achieved successfully.

VSA welcomes the opportunity to play host to any of the ASF meetings in future.