Tra fish processing for exports (Illustrative photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - It is now an important time for Vietnam andthe West Virginia state of the US to cooperate in a joint effort on economic resumption andfighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anhhas said.
The minister made the statement during a May 7 online talk withCarol Miller, US House member representing West Virginia’s 3rd congressional district.
The talks also involved Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha KimNgoc and representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT),Vietnam’s trade office in the US, and the Vietnam National Coal and MineralIndustries Group (Vinacomin).
Anh underlined the special significance of Vietnam-US ties whilespeaking highly of Miller’s role in promoting bilateral economic and traderelations in the US Congress and Government.
Vietnam and the US have devised an action plan elaboratingvarious measures towards sustainable trade, including boosting cooperation withthe US federal government and states, he said.
According to Anh, building strategic trust is among the leading factors that help bolsterthe Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership in general and bilateral economic andtrade ties in particular, making contributions to peace, stability,cooperation, and development in Asia-Pacific.
The Vietnamese Government has given priority to improving theinvestment climate and creating optimal conditions for US projects, heconfirmed.
He also suggested the signing of an agreement between the MoITand West Virginia to foster collaboration, focusing on the three pillars ofeconomics, trade, and energy, in a bid to build a legal framework andfacilitate cooperation between the business communities of the two sides.
The US congresswoman appreciated the suggestion, and thanked theVietnamese Government for facilitating long-term business activities by foreigninvestors in general and US businesses in particular.
She said that West Virginia and Vietnam share a common goal of enhancing tradeconnections, especially in fields where the state boasts strengths, such asenergy, coal, and liquefied gas, among others.
She pledged to spare no effort in promoting the image of Vietnamin the US Congress and Government, thereby contributing to the two countries' cooperation in a practical and effective manner.
The Vietnamese Embassy pledged to work as a bridge to promote thecollaboration between Vietnam’s ministries, sectors and enterprises with USstates.
Trade cooperation and investment between Vietnam and the US havebeen thriving, with two-way trade hitting 77.5 billion USD in 2019 and 19.5billion USD in the first quarter of 2020, a year-on-year increase of 19.3percent./.
