Delegates to Vietnam and ASEAN Business and Trade Conference (Photo: VNA)The visit, which took place on May 16-17, was one of the activities of the Vietnam-UK Friendship Year programme in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.
In Manchester city, on May 16, the Vietnamese Embassy, incollaboration with KPMG Group, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, andthe UK-ASEAN Business Council, organised the Vietnam and ASEAN Business andTrade Conference, which was attended by representatives from more than 50 Britishbusinesses interested in the Vietnamese market and those that are investing anddoing business in Vietnam.
Ambassador Long briefed participants on the Vietnamese market which has a stable political and social background,and a population of 100 million people with a golden population structure, anda dynamic, and rapidly and sustainably developing economy.
He said that British businesses have an advantage in theVietnamese market as their goods have good brands and are popular in Vietnam, and encouraged them to visit Vietnam to learn more about this market so as tohave appropriate investment and business cooperation strategies.
Participants spoke highly the Vietnamese market for itsopenness, dynamism and favourable business and investment environment. Many ofthem said they are particularly interested in Vietnam and want to soon carryout or expand investment in this market.
In Cardiff city, within the framework of the Meeting Vietnam-Wales event, onMay 17, Ambassador Long worked with First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford and Ministerfor Education and Welsh Language Jeremy Miles, and attended and delivered aspeech at a special working session of the Welsh Parliament on the outlook ofcooperation between Vietnam and Wales.
At the meeting, the two sides reviewed important cooperation results achievedin the past time and exchanged ideas on directions and plans for the coming time.
The Wales side also spoke highly of Vietnam’s sustainable socio-economicachievements over the past times and prospects for bilateral cooperation,especially in education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people diplomacy. Foreducation, which is a key field of cooperation, Wales identifies Vietnam, alongwith Europe, North America and India, as a strategic partner, and commits tosupporting and promoting cooperation activities in the future to continueexpanding the active participation of universities and educational institutionsof the two sides.
Mark Drakeford proposed the Vietnamese Embassy step up the organisation of seminars to enhance mutual understanding.
Long proposed Wales appoint an agency to take charge ofcooperating with Vietnam, and the two sides study and promote the signing of alocal-level agreement to create a foundation for promoting cooperation in thelong run and in a systematic manner. The diplomat affirmed that the VietnameseEmbassy is willing to support this negotiation and signing process./.
VNA
