Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) meets Swiss President Ueli Maurer (Source: VNA) Davos (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc left Davos, Switzerland, on January 25 afternoon (local time), wrapping up his four-day visit to attend the annual conference of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2019.
Earlier, he met with executives of leading international groups in finance and infrastructure such as Visa, Generali, Bank Julius Baer, and the Development Bank of Japan.
He informed them that Vietnam enjoyed a GDP growth rate of 7.1 percent in 2018 – the highest level it has gained in 10 years, with its macro-economy and monetary market stabilized, inflation curbed, the business and investment environment improved.
Most of the executives spoke highly of Vietnam’s economic and financial achievements, believing that the Prime Minister and the Government will continue carrying out more drastic measures to stabilize the financial sector and create a better environment for enterprises to maintain their business and investment in the country.
On the sidelines of the WEF Davos 2019, the Vietnamese leader had a meeting with Swiss President Ueli Maurer, during which he affirmed Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and strengthening its ties with Switzerland.
He took the occasion to thank Switzerland for supporting Vietnam’s candidacy to a non-permanent member post of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, and for committing an ODA of 90 million USD for the country in the 2017-2020 period.
Both sides agreed to select suitable projects to effectively use the financial source, and coordinate closely at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, to ensure the supremacy of law, peace, stability and sustainable development in the region and the world.
PM Phuc voiced his hope to welcome more Swiss investors, especially those operating in finance-banking, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.
He also said he hopes Switzerland and the European Free Trade Association would have a flexible and appropriate approach to soon approve the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), thus meeting expectations of the two sides’ business communities.
At the meeting with his counterpart from the Netherlands Mark Rutte, PM Phuc spoke highly of positive developments in the friendship and multi-dimensional cooperation between the two countries, especially within the framework of the Strategic Partnership on adaption to climate change and water management and the Strategic Partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security.
He asserted that Vietnam always respects the assistance provided by the Netherlands in the environment, education, and agriculture and wanted the Netherlands to continue assisting the country with new programmes.
He expected the Netherlands to urge the European Union to early sign and ratify the EVFTA, and support peace, stability, and navigation and overfly freedom, security and safety in the East Sea.
At their meeting, PM Phuc and his counterpart from the Czech Republic Andrej Babis shared their delight with the growing bilateral ties, affirming they will make efforts to push the implementation of signed agreements on economics, trade, culture, education, and science.
He thanked the Government of the Czech Republic for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate into the local society, make practical contributions to the country’s socio-economic development.
He expected that the Czech Republic would continue supporting and boosting the partnership and comprehensive affiliation between Vietnam and the EU and the signing of EVFTA.
He suggested the country back Vietnam’s run for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021.
PM Andrej Babis said the Czech Republic treasures strengthening and developing the traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.
He asserted that his Government continues implementing policies making it easier for the Vietnamese community and businesses in the Czech Republic.
On the sidelines of the WEF Davos 2019, PM Phuc had working sessions with former WEF Managing Director Philipp Rösler and leading investors from Switzerland.-VNA
VNA
