Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception for former Prime Minister and Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore, Goh Chok Tong, in Hanoi on September 23.

The Singaporean guest expressed his joy to see changes in Vietnam since his last trip to the country in 2007 as well as the growing ties between the two countries.

He declared his willingness to share experience and support Vietnam in transport infrastructure development and human resources training and seek financial resources for development projects in the country.

He expressed his hope that Vietnam’s development will contribute greatly to ASEAN and Singapore in terms of growth and strength.

The Party chief appreciated Singapore’s top leaders having an interest in and special sentiments to Vietnam as well as making immense contributions to strengthening the friendship and the growing affiliation between the two countries.

He congratulated Singaporean people on the enormous achievements they recorded under the leadership of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and showed his belief in other successes that could turn Singapore into one of the world’s leading economies.

With regards to the bilateral ties, the Party leader stated that Vietnam always treasures and gives high priority to its relations with the ASEAN member country.

Valuing Singapore as one of Vietnam’s leading investment and trade partners, he suggested both sides maintain visit and contact exchange at various levels and broaden cooperation in all areas, particularly trade-investment and education-training.

These activities could deepen the two countries’ strategic partnership, he said.

On the day, the Singaporean Emeritus Senior Minister visited the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in the northern province of Bac Ninh. The park is a symbol of the friendship and economic connectivity between Vietnam and Singapore.

VSIP Bac Ninh was built in 2007 with a total investment of 169 million USD. Since then, it has drawn in 50 foreign investors, including Microsoft, Pepsico, Foster, and Mapletree, who have poured in over 1.13 billion USD and employed up to 17,000 local people. The park is going to launch its second phase.-VNA