Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi expressed his hope to learn from Singapore’s experience in urban planning and management, real estate development, urban underground space usage, and social housing provision.

In a meeting with former Prime Minister and Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong on September 24, the Hanoi leader proposed the Singaporean Government encourage businesses to strengthen their investments in Vietnam, particularly in agriculture, technology, infrastructure, finance and maritime transport.

Nghi spoke highly of the two countries’ cooperation and said that Singapore’s support in terms of direct investment and technical assistance, especially via the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks, had helped boost the country’s socio-economic development. Singapore is Vietnam’s largest trade partner and investor.

Highlighting the efficiency of cooperation on education, he suggested that Singapore continue to award scholarships to Vietnamese students, assist Vietnam in developing the professional and English skills of management officials, and provide vocational training.

Vietnam, and Hanoi in particular, would create favourable conditions for Singaporean citizens and business living and operating in the country, Nghi stated.

Goh Chok Tong agreed with his host’s proposal to encourage businesses to invest in Vietnam, saying that it would benefit the two sides and support Vietnam in enhancing its technical, managerial and financial capacities.

The former Singaporean PM also suggested that Vietnam improve its investment environment by reforming and completing its legal system in a bid to attract more investment.-VNA