Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai on May 13 gave a reception for his Singaporean counterpart Teo Chee Hean, who is currently in Vietnam to attend the fourth ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

At the meeting, the Deputy PM expressed his pleasure at Singapore’s speedy economic recovery from the global financial crisis.

He stressed on the excellent development of the friendly and cooperative relationship the two countries have in numerous areas, citing the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) as an example.

Deputy PM Hai said that many localities in Vietnam are eager to enter into partnerships with Singapore and said he hoped that the country will continue to encourage its domestic businesses to invest in Vietnam

Singapore has also become a popular destination for Vietnamese students, he said, noting that educational links between the two nations are developing well.

For his part, Deputy PM Teo Chee Hean, who is also Singapore’s Defence Minister, thanked Hai for his warm welcome and commented that he was impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements in recent times.

He added that agreements between both countries will be carried out more effectively in the future, including arrangements within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)./.