VN, Belgium seek closer ties

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Belgian Ambassador to Viet Nam Jehanne Roccas, Ha Noi May 18, 2017 – Photo: VGP/Thanh Chung

The Vietnamese Government leader made the point on May 18 in Ha Noi while receiving Belgian Ambassador to Viet Nam Jehanne Roccas.

According to Deputy PM Hue, the  € 2.2 billion two-way trade turnover remained modest in comparison with respective aspiration. Hence, the host leader hoped that the two sides would beef up trade ties. Especially,  Belgium will open its door for Viet Nam’s farm produce, while supporting the country in accessing advanced technology of Belgium and Europe.

The Deputy PM also pledged to assign relevant Vietnamese agencies to consider technical parameters to ensure the quality of commodities exported to Belgium. Viet Nam, said Mr. Hue, wants to attract more Belgian investors to continue gain high FDI disbursement rate.

The host leader took the occasion to urge Belgium, a founding and prestigious member of the EU, to facilitate the bloc’s signing and approval of a free trade agreement with Viet Nam.

In reply, the Belgian Ambassador stated that Belgium’s cooperation and investment projects in Viet Nam focus on tertiary training, green economy and vocational training with a total investment of about €  600 million.

Along with consolidating and developing traditional collaboration areas, Belgium wishes to boost investment partnership with Viet Nam in the future especially via purchasing stocks at the Ha Noi Beer-Alcohol & Beverage Corporation (HABECO), Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Joint Stock Corporation (SABECO), Song Hau thermal power plant.

The diplomat took the occasion to seek the Vietnamese Government’s backing of Belgian beef import to Viet Nam.

Ms.  Jehanee Roccas revealed that the Belgian Government is open and backs the early singing of the Viet Nam-EU FTA in favor of the respective sustainable growth./.  

By Khanh Phuong