British Consul General Highlights Strategic Objectives

British Consul General Douglas Barnes has succeeded Mr Tim Brownbill, who has transferred to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Barnes recently met the media in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Speaking about his strategic priorities in Vietnam, Mr Barnes said, “It is a great honour to have been appointed as HM Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, and Director of Trade and Investment, Vietnam. During my appointment, I will work to continue to develop key contacts within local and national government, and to build relationships with UK and Vietnamese companies across Vietnam, to engage with a wider contact network, in the private and public sectors, beyond Hanoi and HCMC and above all, to meet bilateral trade and investment targets set by both our governments by 2013.”

 

On his appointment as Consul General and Director of UK Trade and Investment in Vietnam, Mr Barnes outlined his strategic objectives, as follows: to oversee a significant increase of bilateral trade and investment between UK and Vietnam; persuade more UK companies to consider Vietnam as a market that offers real business opportunities; and move forward key actions/objectives from the UK Vietnam Strategic Partnership. He also mentioned a wider Consul General agenda, which includes: commitment to ensuring smooth visa operation; looking for ways to strengthen cultural cooperation; and education as a key strength: promoting Vietnam and attracting more Vietnamese students to the UK, aiming to become Vietnam’s No.1 education partner. Also, to support Vietnam’s development, including poverty reduction, media, and governance.