Vietnam to Seek UK's Construction Expertise Next Month

A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese government will visit Merseyside, the UK, next month to seek construction expertise for its huge projects and will also meet university chiefs to explore the possibility of establishing a campus in Vietnam.

 

The mission is in response to a trade mission to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and southern Dong Nai province last November by Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce chief Jack Stopforth and Liverpool businessman Stephen Collins, who is setting up a pre-school nursery chain there.

 

Collins is also a partner in Vietau, a joint venture general investment and promotion company promoting links between Vietnam and the UK and Merseyside and which is also sponsoring the delegation's visit.

 

He is working with the chamber on a 10-day program in mid-March, which aims to forge links with construction firms experienced in ports building, airport development and road and bridge building.

 

It would be “a huge opportunity for construction companies to get a foothold in Vietnam. These people are the decision makers and they award the contracts. The delegation is looking for expertise, because the finance is available there,” he said.

 

"They're looking at construction and forging links with universities to set up campuses in Vietnam."

 

The visit is being organized in conjunction with the British consulate general in Ho Chi Minh City, Debbie Clarke and they hope to fit in London meetings with the Vietnamese ambassador and Wirral South Labour MP Ben Chapman, who chairs the Commons all-party select committee on Vietnam.