Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc shakes hands with Chief Executive of Hong Kong (China) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor at their meeting on November 18. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his NewZealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern have agreed the two sides should accelerateexchange of visits at all levels to further enhance the comprehensivepartnership towards the level of strategic one.
The agreement came following their meeting on November 18 on thesidelines of the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua NewGuinea.
Phuc asked New Zealand to continue facilitating exports from Vietnam,particularly of agricultural products like mango, dragon fruit and rambutan.
Later the same day, PM Phuc had a meeting with Chief Executive of HongKong (China) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, during which he told her that there isplenty of room for cooperation between Vietnam and Hong Kong.
The two agreed to further step up exchange of visits between not only administrativebodies but also business-to-business and people-to-people meetings.
They also agreed to take into account simplifying immigration proceduresto allow easier entry for their people and enterprises into the other side. Atthe same time, Lam affirmed that Hong Kong stands ready to provide scholarshipsto Vietnamese students.
In addition, they discussed measures to boost two-way trade, investmentand cooperation in finance, banking, education and tourism.
Vietnam welcomes and will create all possible conditions for enterprisesfrom Hong Kong to expand their business in the country, particularly in thefields of transport services, infrastructure development, manufacturing ofelectronic parts, support industries, and processing, PM Phuc said.
He added that Vietnam wants both sides to share experience in urbandevelopment and planning, developing smart city and application of hightechnology.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his entourage later left Port Moresby on theevening for home, concluding his trip to Papua New Guinea for the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
This year, the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting took place from November17 – 18 under the theme “Harnessing InclusiveOpportunities, Embracing the Digital Future”, focusing on three priorities –improving connectivity, deepening regional economic integration’ promotinginclusive and sustainable growth, and strengthening inclusive growth throughstructural reforms. –VNA
VNA
