Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Hanoi on March 3 to start a weeklong visit to the United Kingdom, North Ireland and Germany to boost trade, investment cooperation, state media said on March 3.
This is the first time PM Dung has led the Vietnamese high-profile delegation to visit to U.K., North Ireland and Germany at the invitation of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
The dialogue on human right will be held between the U.K and Vietnam leaders apart from a range of issues from illegal immigration, organized crime, trade and investment, British Foreign Secretary David Biliband told Vietnam News Agency before PM Dung’s visit.
I see a very bright future for the relationship between U.K. and Vietnam and this year marks 35th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, David Biliband noted.
With Vietnam’s recent nomination for a non-permanent seat for the UN Security Council, the U.K. will work closely with Vietnam on international issues of peace and security, he said.
Vietnam will have a significant role in issues such as Myanmar, where Vietnam has a unique perspective and real influence, the official added.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told Amy Kazmin, the FT’s South-East Asia Correspondent, and Victor Mallet, Asia Editor in a recent interview that with a slowdown of the global economy, the market for Vietnam’s exports would be more difficult. Last year, Vietnam’s exports were valued at more than $50 billion, accounting for more than 60% of the country’s GDP.
Between 2006 and 2011 the U.K. will contribute £250 million aid to Vietnam to become the second largest donor, the Vietnam News said.
The trade between Vietnam and the U.K. hit US$1.9 billion last year and the U.K. investors poured US$1.4 billion with majority focusing on Vietnam’s oil and gas industry, ranking the third largest among European investors, the state-run newspaper Nhan Dan said.
The bilateral trade between Vietnam and North Ireland remains modest at US$60 million a year, which is not on par with the two countries’ potential, Nhan Dan said.
Accompanying Mr. Dung are Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Government Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha, Vice Governor of State Bank of Vietnam Tran Minh Tuan, Chairman of State Securities Commission Vu Bang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Van Tho, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Tran Van Nhung, and others. (The People, New Hanoi, VNS)
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