The Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey has paid a courtesy visit to Vietnam from November 28 to December 3 to attend the ASEM ICT Summit on November 30. Vietnam Business Forum reporter has conducted an interview with him.
Could you please tell us about Ireland - Vietnam relations and the aim of your visit to Vietnam?
Relations between Ireland and Vietnam go back quite some time. More recently, since the Prime Minister of Ireland Taoiseach undertook a first official visit to Vietnam two years ago, we have been very keen to further enhance the relationship and my visit reflects this. I come to Vietnam at the same time as the arrival of Ireland’s first resident Ambassador to Vietnam, which illustrates the ties our countries are developing.
I am delighted to be participating in the First Asia-Europe ICT Ministerial Meeting. I believe that increased partnership presents an opportunity to further develop and exploit our existing strengths, create and develop innovative ones and generate a web of valuable relationships.
As we all recognise ICTs plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of any country and I consider that vital to realising the true benefit of ICTs is a focus on their potential for the development of human capacities and social inclusion – the theme of ASEM ICT 2006
What will Ireland contribute to the success of ASEM ICT?
Ireland is a very good example of the impact the ICT industry on an economy. Internationally, Ireland is now considered an example of a country that has moved in a very short space of time from an agrarian economy to a developing knowledge economy. Because of this, many countries, in various stages of ICT development, look to us to learn from our experience and Ireland will be honoured to share this experience at the ASEM ICT Meeting.
What do you comment on the prospect of Vietnam ICT after Vietnam’s access to WTO and cooperation opportunities for ICT enterprises of the two countries?
I warmly welcome Vietnam’s accession to the WTO, and I know Ireland is looking forward to working with you within this trade organization. I applaud Vietnam’s ambition and advancements in the ICT area. The country has a very impressive rate of growth in the software industry. The Minister of Posts and Telematics Do Trung Ta has informed me that the software sector is growing by 35-40% annually and that Vietnam is now classified as one of the 20 most attractive destinations for software processing in the world.
There is large potential for co-operation between Ireland and Vietnam particularly in developing Human Resource Capacity through the use of ICTs, the thrust of ASEM ICT 2006. Ireland looks forward to exploring with Vietnam the many potential avenues of collaboration.
This is the first time you have visited to Vietnam, what do you think of Vietnam land and people?
The friendliness of your people, the beauty of your country, and the bustling interaction of your streets add to what has been an unforgettable experience.
Sideline activities of the delegation
- Hand over a collection of literary and historic books on Ireland to the National Library of Vietnam.
- Open a new Learning Centre which Irish aid funded at the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
- Discuss on Ireland and Vietnam cooâ?operation in software and ICT generally.
- Visit members of the Irish Community and Vietnamese friends of Ireland at the newly-opened Irish Embassy.
Reported by Thu Huyen
Vietnamese
