National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Siren Gjerme Eriksen (Source: VNA) The NA Chairwoman suggestedincreasing experience sharing and technology transfer in fields of Norway’sstrength and Vietnam’s demand.
Vietnam hopes Norway will openits market for Vietnam’s traditional exports such as agro-forestry-fisheries, appareland footwear, Ngan said, adding that two-way trade reached 308.2 million USD in2016. Norway currently ranks 44th out of 116 countries andterritories investing in Vietnam with 34 valid projects worth more than 92million USD.
She thanked Norway for providingVietnam with important official development assistance, especially inenvironment, education, gender equality, health care, bomb and mine clearance, contributingto helping the country fulfill the United Nations Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) ahead of schedule.
The top legislator requested thatNorway continue ODA provision for Vietnam, particularly in aquaculture, ruraleconomic development and environment protection.
Eriksen, for her part, expressedher delight at the growing ties between the two countries, especially since theVietnam visit by Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg in 2015.
About the free trade agreement betweenVietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), she emphasised that Norway,in its role as coordinator of EFTA negotiations, will work for the earlyconclusion of negotiations on the deal and its signing. She expressed herbelief that the FTA will open up new opportunities for the business communitiesof both Vietnam and the EFTA.
The diplomat informed the hostthat a delegation of Norwegian firms will travel to Vietnam to seek cooperationopportunities in sea-based economic fields this May.
Host and guest also shared theassessment that the two countries’ legislatures have enhanced their cooperationin both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. They agreed that the twoparliaments should increase the exchange of visits by high-ranking officialsand members of specialised committees to share experience and information.-VNA
VNA
