The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Savory, is due to visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City early next month during a financial mission to Vietnam starting July 2.
Mr. Savory’s visit is aimed to support UK financial institutions operating in Vietnam, according to the British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
During his trip, Mr. Savory will discuss the development of Vietnam’s capital markets, the prospects for public private partnership in the infrastructure sector and a closer partnership between the heart of the world’s financial markets and Vietnam.
The mayor is scheduled to have meetings with Vietnam’s leaders including Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An, Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Le Duc Thuy, and Minister of Finance Nguyen Sinh Hung, and a number of other high-profile identities.
“With Vietnam poised at a crucial stage in its development, we expect there to be strong opportunities for the country and London to work together,” Mr. Savory, who acts as the Ambassador for the multi-billion-pound financial services industry based in London and the UK, said.
He said London is the world's largest international financial and business centre and its resources and experience could prove very useful in supporting Vietnam's future growth.
"Strong trade and economic partnerships already exist between the UK and Vietnam but I am looking forward to meeting ministers and others to see how this can be even further developed,” he said.
“I hope also to share information on global trends I have gleaned on my recent visits to other countries – and of course build on the excellent work of the British Embassy and Consulate."
In both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the guest will have talks with the two cities’ mayors and lead discussions on "The Role of Financial markets as a Tool for the Development of Business."
The UK is currently Vietnam’s major export market, with total export earnings surging 34 per cent on-year to more than US$1 billion last year, according to Vietnam’s statistics.
At the end of 2004, the UK was the 12th largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with 62 investment projects capitalized at over US$1.2 billion. There are currently over 200 British companies and organizations operating in Vietnam.
B.T
Vietnamese
