Deputy PM Hai made the affirmationwhile attending a Vietnam-Norway business meeting in Hanoi on Feb. 24, addingthat Vietnam has been exerting efforts to complete the legal system and boostadministrative reform to facilitate domestic and foreign businessesoperations.
The Deputy PM said that two-way trade of 120 million USD andNorwegian investment capital in Vietnam in 2009 were modest. He expressed hisbelief that opportunities for deeper cooperation would open up as a feasibilitystudy on establishing a free trade area (FTA) between Vietnam and the EuropeanFTA has begun.
Deputy PM Hai announced that he is scheduled to visitNorway in June.
Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Risa Stale Torstein, alsopresent at the meeting, stated that Norway stood ready to support Vietnam ineconomic reform, especially in the fields of Norway ’s strengths, includingenergy, ship building and fisheries.
He further conveyed that in additionto the southern city of Vung Tau , which is already a centre for Norwegianinvestment in Vietnam , the country’s businesses wish to expand operations inHanoi and in the north-western region./.