In his speech, President Quang said the event offers the twocountries’ businesses an invaluable chance to review cooperation outcomes overthe past one fourth century and share vision, prospects and developmentcooperation chances in the new period, contributing to deepening bilateralstrategic cooperative partnership.
On the basis of sharing core interests in bilateral andmultilateral partnership and supplementary economies, the RoK is now the first largestinvestment partner, the second largest partner in bilateral development cooperationand tourism, and the third largest trade partner of Vietnam.
With over 59 billion USD worth of registered capital, RoK enterprisesare playing active role in Vietnamese industries such as electronics, energy,automobiles, apparel, construction and services, contributing to shifting tonew economic structure, creating jobs and ensuring social welfare.
Two-way trade grew to 64 billion USD in 2017 after theVietnam – RoK Free Trade Agreement took effect.
Speaking highly of the RoK’s New Southern Policy in whichVietnam plays a key role, the Vietnamese President affirmed that Vietnam alwaysappreciates ties with the RoK, particularly in economy, trade and investment,considers Korean business community a leading strategic partner in economicrestructuring, renovation, knowledge economy development, improvement of growthquality and national competitiveness.
A number of Korean enterprises working effectively inVietnam have become an important part to propel economic growth, he said.
Vietnam commits to continue refining mechanisms, polices andlaws to create a business environment up to international standards while upgradinginfrastructure, financial-banking system, education and human resourcesquality, he said.
In order to achieve the goal of 100 billion USD in two-waytrade by 2020, the State leader wished for a more balanced trade and furthersupport for Vietnamese tropical agro-fisheries, apparel, wooden furniture andrubber to enter the RoK.
He said Vietnam is ready to receive manufacturing spareparts and other goods of strength from the RoK.
RoK President Moon Jae-in, for his part, lauded Vietnam as adynamic country and economic hub of ASEAN with average economic growth of 6percent per year.
According to him, up to 5,500 Korean firms are operating inVietnam and creating millions jobs for Vietnamese workers.
Vietnam has become one of the four largest trade partners ofthe RoK while the RoK is also the largest investor in the country. Last year,2.7 million people travelled between the two countries.
He informed that during recent talks, both sides agreed tolift two-way trade to 100 billion USD by 2020, or half of the RoK’s targetedfigure with ASEAN, proving the importance of Vietnam to the RoK.
Moon wished that Korean firms would continue contributing toVietnam’s industrialisation and modernisation, and the two governments wouldfacilitate start-ups by Vietnamese and Korean youths.
Later the day, President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse hosted a banquet forPresident Moon Jae-in and his wife at the My Dinh National Convention Centre. -VNA