On February 27, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong attended and delivered a speech at the Information Technology Forum co-organised by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Katanaka Business Association in Bangalore, Katanaka, India.

The forum had the participation of nearly 300 businesses from the two countries, and Mr Trong expressed his deep impression of Bangalore City, which is considered the “Silicon Valley” of India and is home to high-tech agencies and special zones, such as “electric city”. The rapid development of the city has helped India in par with developed countries in the fields of information technology (IT), genetic technology, agricultural science and atomic energy.

The relationship between Vietnam and India has developed strongly in recent times. The two countries have established a strategic partnership and are making efforts to implement measures to boost their traditional ties of friendship and co-operation in many fields. They should promote co-operation in specific fields, especially those in which India has great potential such as IT, high-tech science, and training qualified human resources,, Mr Trong said.

Mr Trong pointed out that Vietnam is a dynamic economy with a high and stable growth rate and is a significant prospective market. Its business and investment environment has improved and business and investment laws have issued regulations to ensure equality between foreign and domestic investors.

Mr Trong also emphasised the role of IT in social development. With stable politics and a cheap labour force, investors from Katanaka will find great potential in Vietnam. He added that the Vietnamese Government now considers IT a key industry to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, develop an information society and shorten the process of industrialisation and modernisation.

Discussions at the forum and other meetings will help Indian friends to gain a better understanding of Vietnam’s market and investment opportunities. Accordingly, the two sides will share experiences and help Vietnam to develop information and communication technology (ICT).

In the evening of February 27, Mr Trong and the NA delegation attended a banquet hosted by leaders of Karnataka’s parliamentary houses.

On February 28, NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage left Katanaka for Jakarta to begin a friendship visit to Indonesia.