Vietnam has encouraged foreign businesses to invest in Vietnam, particularly after its entry into the World Trade Organisation, said Mr Dung.

He briefed the French insurance group’s leaders on Vietnam’s open-door policy and welcomed their plan to develop insurance services in the country.

AXA leaders spoke highly of Vietnam’s open-door policy and expressed hope that the Vietnamese Government would create favourable conditions for the French insurer to expand its services in the country.

AXA is the world’s fifth largest insurer operating in almost all countries around the globe.

AXA leaders were among more than 30 chief executive officers (CEOs) of world leading business groups attending a dialogue with PM Dung the same day. This was the first time Mr Dung had such a direct and frank dialogue with CEOs.

During a press briefing held later, Mr Dung answered foreign media workers’ questions about Vietnam’s development policies, the Doha round of talks and the trend of domestic protectionism.