PM seeks UAE investment in infrastructure, renewable energy

Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has encouraged UAE firms to invest in renewable energy, hotel, tourism, infrastructure, seaport, aviation, real estate and farm produce production in Vietnam.

The Government leader made the call during a reception in Hanoi on May 11 for Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

He also urged the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) to promptly respond to Vietnam’s call for official development assistance (ODA) in several projects, adding that he hopes the UAE will welcome more Vietnamese labourers to work at its medical facilities.

PM Phuc suggested the two countries work to raise their bilateral trade to 10 billion USD in the next few years from the current 6.2 billion USD.

On the occasion, the PM also conveyed his invitation to his UAE counterpart Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and President Tran Dai Quang’s invitation to the UAE President to visit Vietnam.

Minister Al Nahyan, for his part, said the UAE wants to boost multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in labour.

The guest suggested both sides provide the best conditions for private sectors in the two countries.

The UAE will actively consider Vietnam’s projects in need of ODA, he stated.

The same day, Minister Al Nahyan and Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks, during which they affirmed their determination to further foster friendly coordination via increased exchanges at all levels, regular political consultation between the two foreign ministries and mutual support at regional and global forums and organisations.

To raise two-way trade to 10 billion USD, both sides agreed to increase trade promotion acitvities, facilitate market access and intensify ties between the Vietnamese and UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Deputy PM Minh proposed the UAE help Vietnam with opening bonded warehouse centres in the UAE and establishing a Halal Certification Centre in Vietnam, making it easier for Vietnamese halal food exporters to access Islamic markets.

He also wished for more UAE’s investment in the areas of oil and gas, infrastructure, agriculture, climate change, metallurgy, renewable energy, construction materials and Halal food manufacturing, towards making the UAE the largest Middle East investor in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese side presented a list of Vietnam’s major projects in need of capital and preferential credit.

Both sides were committed to extending joint work across the potential fields of labour, security, energy, banking, tourism and farming.

On the occasion of the UAE foreign minister’s visit, a Vietnam-UAE business forum was held, attracting leading UAE enterprises, investment funds and Vietnamese partners.-VNA