In his opening remarks, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu highlighted the RoK’s role as a leading economic partner of Vietnam, the top source of foreign direct investment, and the second-largest trading partner.

He expressed hope that the ministry and the embassy would further promote their bridging role via diversifying economic diplomacy activities and coordinating substantive cooperation across various sectors. The conference, the official noted, offers an opportunity for both sides to share the RoK’s development experiences, particularly in the realm of strategic industrial growth, and draw lessons applicable to Vietnam.

The discussion provided numerous policy recommendations for Vietnam, including the formation of a strategic industrial development policy driven by an innovation ecosystem. Participants stressed the need to incentivise the private economic sector through diversified mechanisms such as venture capital funds and to promote technology transfer by attracting foreign direct investment.

Delivering a keynote address, Minister-Counsellor Lee Jae Myun of the embassy underscored the importance of strengthening the two countries’ cooperation in multiple areas, particularly trade and investment. He affirmed the RoK will continue supporting Vietnam’s economic development and is ready to share related policy experience, co-organise expert exchange programmes, and promote joint research initiatives to enhance the added value of Vietnamese enterprises in the global supply chain.

Vietnam learns China's economic development models

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung on March 20 held working sessions with leaders of China’s Guangdong province and visited a number of local economic and technology establishments to study the locality's effective economic models.