Deputy PM chairs Vietnam-Spain business forum

Highlighting Vietnam as a bright spot in terms of investment attraction and tourism, Minh said Vietnam has so far lured nearly US$300 billion in foreign direct investment, US$154 billion of which has been disbursed. The number of tourist arrivals in the country has surpassed a record 10 million thanks to political-security, investment and economic policy stability.  A representative from the Spanish government described Vietnam as one of the priority markets, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, railway, seaport, agriculture and tourism, and pledged to facilitate collaboration between the two nations’ businesses. 

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Van Hieu introduced Vietnam’s preferential investment policies while Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Cao Quoc Hung talked about business opportunities with Spanish enterprises. 

The two officials had direct meetings with Spanish firms operating in wind and solar power, construction of airports and seaports, water treatment, waste and plastics treatment, which expressed their wish to travel to Vietnam to learn about specific projects. 

On the occasion, Minh also witnessed the signing of agreements between Vietnamese and Spanish firms in infrastructure design consultancy. 

As part of celebrations for the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, the forum was co-organised by the Vietnamese ministries of Foreign Affairs, Planning and Investment, Industry and Trade; the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Vietnamese embassy in Spain; the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness; and the Spain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attracting nearly 200 officials and businesses from the two nations. 

At a meeting earlier the same day, Minh and Spanish Minister and Secretary of State for Trade Maria Luisa Poncela promised to lift two-way trade to EUR5 billion by 2020 by increasing partnerships across transport infrastructure, renewable energy, environment, ecological agriculture and tourism. 

Minh witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two governments on the establishment of Vietnam-Spain Trade and Investment Inter-Committee, and a deal on the fifth stage of the financial plan on providing financial support for the construction of metro line No.5 in Vietnam