In his speech, the PM noted that external work directlycontributed to promoting the export of key Vietnamese produce, tourism andlabour export, and foreign investment attraction last year.
The Foreign Ministry played a major role in ensuringnational defence-security, reducing poverty and achieving the United Nations millennialdevelopment goals by raising sound and scientific initiatives, he said.
On the back of the past achievements, he asked the sector tomake further efforts to promote economic and trade activities and better tapcommitments to carrying forward domestic economy.
It was also required to improve the efficiency of externalwork, maintain a peaceful environment for socio-economic development, and raisenational strength while pursuing the external policy of peace, independence,self-reliance and cooperation.
The ministry should actively propose ideas to boost exports as well as developdomestic trade, particularly in fields of strength such as tropicalagriculture, information technology and tourism, he said.
The Government leader suggested that the ministry considerhelping extend export markets, especially the US, China and Europe while givingpriority to investors adopting advanced and eco-friendly technologies.
He expressed his wish that the ministry would pay attentionto overseas Vietnamese affairs and citizen protection.
Apart from popularising domestic images to internationalfriends, the sector was also urged to update Vietnamese business community andpeople on opportunities in the host countries.
Last year, Vietnam successfully assumed the role as host ofthe APEC Year 2017, especially the APEC Leaders’ Week in the central city of DaNang.
The country further deepened ties with neighbouring,regional and developed countries, as well as traditional friends. Vietnam’shigh-ranking leaders visited 19 countries, attended eight multilateralinternational conferences, held hundreds of bilateral exchanges with foreignleaders, and welcomed 36 heads of state and Prime Ministers to the country.-VNA