At the workshop (Photo: VNA)Paris (VNA) – A workshop on Vietnam’s economy after 30 years of reform has beenheld in France’s central city of Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire by the friendshipassociation Touraine-Vietnam.
Speaking at the seminar,Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son stressed that Vietnam began itsreform policy by opening its door to the world. Vietnam wants to become atrustworthy and responsible partner of the international community, he said.
The ambssadorintroduced Vietnam’s economic achievements and the importance of theVietnam-France strategic partnership.
France iscurrently the bilateral second biggest provider of official developmentassistance (ODA) for Vietnam, with a committed amount of 3 billion USD since1993.
France is also Vietnam’sthird biggest export market in the European Union, he said, adding that France isinvesting over 3 billion EUR in more than 300 projects in Vietnam.
However, thediplomat said bilateral economic ties still fail to match with potential ofboth sides. He expected that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UVFTA), whichis scheduled to take effect next summer, will foster trade and investmentrelations between the two nations.
Participantslauded the strong development of Vietnam in recent years. They expressed theirinterest to learn about the teaching of French language in Vietnam, keyVietnamese exports to France and Vietnam’s average living standards and heathcare.
Touraine-Vietnamhas hosted various events to introduce Vietnam’s traditional culture and socio-economicdevelopment in France. In November last year, the organization received acertificate of merit bestowed by Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports andTourism for its outstanding work.-VNA
VNA
