Encouraging businesses and Swiss investment funds to expand investment in Vietnam
The Prime Minister said that the visit opens a new chapter in Vietnam-Switzerland relations, especially with the signing of the VEFTA Agreement.
On the afternoon of October 17, at the Government Headquarters, Politburo Member, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with Swiss President Guy Parmelin within the framework of the official visit to Vietnam by the Swiss President and his wife.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam always considers Switzerland as a reliable companion and important partner in Europe; wishing to continue to strengthen political trust, delegation exchanges, high-level contacts, promote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, and soon establish an intergovernmental cooperation mechanism in the fields of economy, science and technology, and innovation.
The Prime Minister said that the visit opens a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, especially with the signing of the Vietnam-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (VEFTA).
The Prime Minister requested coordination to ensure that the Agreement takes effect soon, creating breakthroughs in trade and investment cooperation, striving to double bilateral trade turnover; encouraging businesses and Swiss investment funds to expand investment in Vietnam in the fields of finance-banking, manufacturing industry, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and innovation.
Emphasizing that finance is Switzerland's outstanding strength and also Vietnam's strategic development orientation, the Prime Minister requested Switzerland to share experiences, support the development of an international financial center in Vietnam, promote connections with major financial centers in the world; strengthen cooperation in green finance, investment funds, asset management, encrypted assets, carbon credits, international bonds and financial technology.
The Swiss President assessed that the two countries have many similarities, especially in promoting peace, cooperation and multilateralism; affirmed that Switzerland values relations with Vietnam, and wishes to promote substantive and effective cooperation. The participation of a large number of Swiss businesses and scientists in the delegation shows great interest and expectations for the cooperation potential between the two countries.
The President expressed his pleasure at the signing of VEFTA, opening up opportunities to promote trade, investment, and connect businesses of the two countries, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
Affirming his willingness to share experiences and strengths of Switzerland in the fields of insurance, reinsurance, manufacturing industry, precision machinery and high technology, the President proposed connecting the Swiss Crypto Valley Center with Vietnam's innovation ecosystem, promoting cooperation on blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology; especially emphasizing cooperation in vocational training according to models associated with business needs. The President also affirmed his willingness to create more visa facilitation for Vietnamese citizens.
The two sides agreed to continue to promote the Vietnam-Switzerland Comprehensive Partnership on the Party, State, National Assembly and people-to-people exchange channels; effectively utilize VEFTA, strengthen business connections, expand investment cooperation, including seaport infrastructure; coordinate to consolidate the multilateral trade system, diversify markets and improve resilience to global economic fluctuations.
The two sides agreed to make education and training, science and technology, and innovation the focus of cooperation, promoting the connection of innovation centers, research institutions, universities and businesses; strengthen cooperation in AI, quantum technology, green energy, digital economy, higher education and vocational training.
Faced with common challenges related to climate change, the two sides agreed to promote cooperation in emission reduction, green transformation, agricultural research, water resource management and reuse, sustainable agricultural development; cooperation in insurance and reinsurance.
The two sides also agreed to promote cultural, tourism, labor and people-to-people exchanges; continue to coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, contributing to strengthening the Vietnam-Switzerland Comprehensive Partnership and making positive contributions to maintaining peace, stability, promoting cooperation and development in the region and in the world.
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