Vietnam-US relations spotlighted at AmCham Gala 2017

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue made the remarks while addressing the AmCham Gala 2017 organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi on March 25.

The establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2013 has created a firm foundation for the two countries to develop their all-around rapports in the region and beyond, he said.

Particularly the two sides have reaped positive outcomes in economic-trade-investment ties, with the bilateral trade enjoying an annual growth of 20 percent, making Vietnam one of the biggest trade partners of the US in Southeast Asia, he added.

The US is the seventh largest investor in Vietnam with a total investment of over 11 billion USD.

Regarding education-training cooperation, more than 28,000 Vietnamese students are pursuing learning and research courses at US universities.

Many US students consider Vietnam a must-see destination to enrich their life experiences, the Deputy PM said.

He also hailed the crucial role of AmCham and the US business community in the Vietnam-US relations over the past two decades.

The operation of the US firms in Vietnam has helped the Southeast Asian country integrate more intensively into the global economy and secure a foothold in the global supply chain, he added.

He hoped the US enterprises will continue joining hands with Vietnam to boost the win-win cooperation in the coming time.

The strong reforms of the Vietnamese Party and state over the past time will create a favourable business condition for foreign companies, including those from the US, he said.

He noted that Vietnam recorded a positive growth in 2016 with the establishment of over 110,000 businesses.

The country is also hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, he said, adding that the active support and participation of the US leaders in the APEC Year 2017 is not only important to Vietnam but also to the whole region for peace, stability and common development.

Vietnamese leaders have invited US President Donald Trump to attend the APEC Economic Leader's Meeting and pay an official visit to Vietnam, Hue said.

“It is a high time for the two countries to exert more efforts and promote creativity to maintain and boost the momentum of development,” he noted.

Speaking at the event, US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius recognised the recent reforms of the Vietnamese government in administrative procedures and business development.

He also expressed his regret that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement was not supported by President Donald Trump and affirmed there is no trade protectionism in the US.

Trade, investment, and education-training will be mutual benefits of the future cooperation of Vietnam and the US, he noted.