
Thebiennial High Level Consultations were led by Philip Green, First Assistant Secretary, SouthEast Asia Mainland and Regional Division, Department of ForeignAffairs and Trade (Australia), and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning andInvestment Nguyen The Phuong.
Accordingly,the two countries gained key achievements for the 2015-17 developmentco-operation, including due completion of the Cao Lanh Bridge latethis year, encouraging progress in developing three new initiatives -Aus4Reform, Aus4Transport and Aus4Water - to develop a strong and competitiveprivate sector in Vietnam.
Theyalso noted the effective commencement of the new Aus4Skills initiative in 2016,which will continue to deliver the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarships aswell as a new range of flexible human resource development support packages andsupport for women’s economic empowerment, including preparation for the newAus4Equality and Investing in Women initiatives.
“Vietnam hasbeen an important partner of Australia in the region for a long time,and our commitment to development cooperation with Vietnam isongoing,” Green said.
Given Vietnam’stremendous achievements in socio-economic development, it is now time totransform the relationship into an economic partnership, based on mutualbenefit and shared challenges,” he added.
Theeconomic partnership is expected to be built on the principles of commitment topursuing shared economic interests as outlined in the Plan of Action 2016-2019,encouraging a dynamic private sector, fostering greater business and marketaccess opportunities, empowering women in the economy and promoting environmentallysustainable growth.-VNA