Government leader hosts Turkish finance, industry ministers

At the meeting with Minister Simsek, the Vietnamese cabinet leader stated that Vietnam and Türkiye hold strategically important geographical positions, capable of helping each other connect with major markets in Europe, the Middle East-Africa, and Asia.

Vietnam greatly values the enhancement of economic cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis between the two countries, he said.

As there remains huge room for bilateral collaboration and the two economies are complementary to each other, Chinh suggested the minister continue actively contributing to improving the effectiveness of bilateral economic ties. The measures include stepping up negotiations on the Vietnam-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement (FTA), removing trade barriers for Vietnamese exports, recognizing Vietnam as a market economy, and increasing the sharing of experience with Vietnam in building fiscal and monetary policies.
 
Simsek, in turn, affirmed that Türkiye and Vietnam are well-positioned to develop ties. He affirmed Vietnam is one of the priority economic partners of Türkiye, wished that their multifaceted cooperation will grow stronger.

Agreeing with cooperation directions set by the PM, he underlined the importance of combining efforts to enhance exchanges through promoting air connectivity, creating favourable visa conditions, and opening branches of commercial banks in Vietnam.

He underscored the need to reduce protective measures to facilitate trade cooperation, explore the possibility of initiating FTA negotiations to create breakthroughs in bilateral trade at an opportune time, aiming for a trade balance and establishing stronger cooperation frameworks in the future; and encourage Turkish enterprises to engage more in infrastructure development investment projects in Vietnam.

Meeting Minister Kacir, PM Chinh expressed his desire to boost coordination with Türkiye in national industrialisation process.

Highlighting Türkiye as Vietnam’s biggest direct investor from the Middle East, he welcomed and committed all possible support to Turkish firms and groups doing business in the country.

The Vietnamese Government chief proposed that given Türkiye's experience in operating industrial zones (IZs), the country explore opportunities for investment and share management experience in operating IZs and hi-tech zones in Vietnam. Both sides could discuss this matter in detail at the eighth session of the Intergovernmental Committee, he said.

In reply, Kacir affirmed that as an industrial and manufacturing nation, Türkiye wishes to further improve the effectiveness of cooperation with Vietnam in areas of strength such as industry, high technology, automation, defence industry, automobile manufacturing, and satellite technology.

Suggesting further collaboration between Turkish electric car manufacturers and Vietnamese partners, he said it as a new but highly potential area.

He agreed with the importance of a network of free trade agreements in accessing and expanding markets, proposing that both countries continue refining the legal framework to facilitate their cooperation activities in the coming time.