Vietnam seeks to build ties in education and technology with Switzerland
VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has suggested that Switzerland share its experience and co-operate with the Vietnamese sides in the fields of education-training and science-technology, as well as innovation, digital transformation, and vocational training.
Deputy PM Ha made the suggestion during talks held on January 16 with Guy Parmelin, federal councillor of Economic Affairs, Education and Research of Switzerland, as part of his attendance in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos.
The initial 11 months of 2022 witnessed mutual trade hit US$721.3 million, with Swiss investors operating 197 FDI projects in the nation with total capital of US$1.89 billion, ranking 21st out of 140 countries and territories investing in the country.
He went on to underline that with a nearly 100-million-strong market, the engagement in 15 free trade agreements, as well as its transition to sustainable growth and a green, circular, and low-carbon economy, the nation is becoming an increasingly attractive destination with great chances for trade and investment.
The Deputy PM went on to encourage Switzerland to invest more in projects with high, new, and clean technologies, environment protection, innovation, modern governance, high-added values, and widespread effects. It is hoped that this will help to connect the global production and supply chain.
He therefore asked Parmelin to create favourable conditions in which Swiss firms can operate in the Vietnamese market over the long term, especially in areas of Switzerland’s strength where there is strong Vietnamese demand. This includes finance-banking, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agricultural product processing, renewable energy, and tourism.
The country is in need of collaboration in research and innovation as it seeks to meet its net-zero emission goal in 2050, Deputy PM Ha said, adding that the country hopes for Swiss support through different co-operation forms in the field.
In response, Parmelin greatly valued Vietnamese commitments to net-zero emissions at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) and congratulated the nation on reaching just energy transition with G7 countries and development partners.
He affirmed that the Central European country will assist the Vietnamese side in switching to a circular economy and circular production, as well as a digital economy and digital transformation moving in a greener direction.
Regarding the free trade agreement (FTA) signed between the country and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the two sides agreed that the negotiation conclusion open up more chances for bilateral trade and investment partnership.
Deputy PM Ha proposed that the Swiss side continue to co-ordinate efforts with the nation to speed up the negotiation of the deal, pledging that the country is willing to act as a bridge for EFTA members to reach the ASEAN market.
Regarding multilateral co-operation, the Vietnamese official congratulated Switzerland on being elected to the UN Security Council. Both sides consented to ramp up ties and mutual support at multilateral organisations and international organisations of which both sides are members.
He stated that he hopes Parmelin will continue to back the Vietnamese community in Switzerland to settle down there.
Following talks, Deputy PM Ha and Parmelin chaired a meeting with Swiss businesses and investors, who showed their positive impressions of Vietnamese achievements in economic recovery, with participants hailing the country’s economic outlook.
They assessed that the FTAs signed between Vietnam and the EFTA will help to boost trade and investment of Swiss investors in the country. They said that they are therefore keen to expand investment scale and business partnerships in the country.
Deputy PM Ha responded to questions by financiers, while suggesting a number of measures aimed at settling existing problems and giving suggestions on green and environmentally-friendly investment.