Vietnam promotes trade in Scotland
(VOV) - A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid a June 8-9 visit to Scotland aimed at expanding economic trade and investment between the two nations.
During the visit, Son met with Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop, briefing his host on Vietnam’s recent economic development and its efforts to broaden international cooperation and attract increased investment into the country.
The two sides expressed their delight at the fine and deep development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and the UK, as well as with Scotland.
Son urged his host to encourage Scottish businesses to avail themselves of the opportunities for investment in Vietnam and take full advantage of free trade agreements (FTA) currently are in effect and those in the pipeline, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) expected to be signed by early next year.
He thanked Scotland for its vigorous and active support and close coordination with the London-based Vietnamese Embassy in organising, investment and tourism promotion activities in Scotland.
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Hyslop stressed that Scotland will strive its utmost to assist businesses in taking full use of the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership to accelerate investment in Vietnam. She noted the fields of financial services, property management, pension and insurance funds were of particular interest to Scottish businesses.
She also revealed that Scotland is desirous of increased cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of education and training, cultural restoration and preservation, water management and public reform.
Son also met with a group of representatives from the Scottish business community, including training foundations, to discuss the mutual benefits of international cooperation and extended an invitation for them to visit Vietnam to explore the wide range of opportunities.
At an introduction on the Vietnam- UK strategic partnership: cooperation opportunity with Scotland, Son reviewed cooperative relations between Vietnam and the UK and updated participants on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and investment environment.
Regarding China’s illegal deployment of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling oil rig in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf, Son affirmed that Vietnam is pursuing a peaceful solution to the territorial dispute.
He thanked the UK for issuing a statement in support of the EU stance, calling on China to end its unilateral action imperiling peace, stability, security, and navigation safety in the region.