National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has voiced her hope that Switzerland will continue assisting Vietnam in the areas of its strengths like finance, banking and high technology.

Receiving Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research Johann N. Schneider-Ammann in Hanoi on October 24, Ngan said parliamentary cooperation is one of the effective cooperation channels as bilateral ties are in blossom, especially in economics, trade, investment, education and training.

She said Vietnam is efficiently utilising Switzerland’s official development assistance, which has factored in its poverty reduction, environmental protection, infrastructure ramp-up, socio-economic development and global economic integration.

She said she hopes the European country will make it easier for Vietnam to step up negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) to which the European country is a member.

Schneider-Ammann informed his host that he is accompanied by 17 Swiss firms working in machinery engineering, finance, banking and watch-making, alongside two State Governors, adding that they are keen to further trade and investment with Vietnamese partners.

Switzerland always backs Vietnam in negotiations for the FTA, he said, adding that he believes it will forge a legal framework to improve the business climate and trade ties between the two sides.-VNA