Economic and trade ties between Vietnam and Switzerland have developed strongly and effectively across spheres, and would grow further in the time ahead.
The view was shared by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch during their working session on November 26, as part of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s ongoing official visit to Switzerland.
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| At the working session between Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch__Photo: VNA |
Dien expressed his belief that economic and trade cooperation will be the center and main momentum of the relations between the two countries, and suggested Switzerland work together with Vietnam to successfully build up new cooperative foundations in the time ahead.
Both officials lauded efforts of the two countries’ negotiators during the talks on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). They held that after 16 rounds of official negotiations and various online meetings since 2012, it is time to conclude the talks.
Dien proposed Switzerland, with its great role and prestige in the EFTA, urge other members to take a more practical approach, especially in the fields where differences still remain like trade in goods, public procurement, and intellectual property, to wrap up the talks at an early date.
The two sides consented to work harder to speed up the negotiations, considering this a priority task to create a firm legal foundation for Vietnamese and Swiss enterprises to run long-term business.
They highlighted support to small-and medium-enterprises in export, the development of fundamental industries and technology transfer to Vietnam.
On this occasion, Dien invited the Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs to lead a delegation of Swiss enterprises to visit Vietnam as soon as possible.
The same day, Dien attended the Vietnam - Switzerland Business Forum co-chaired by Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Swiss counterpart Guy Parmelin.
At the forum, Dien reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, as presented at the at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), held in Glasgow, the UK.
Vietnam will implement a program on energy transformation from now, he affirmed.
With its commitment and the pledge of the international community to help the country achieve the target, Vietnam needs cooperation in technology, governance and financial resources from partner countries and investors, he said.
Vietnam welcomes investors from Switzerland, Europe and developed countries in general to come to the country to boost cooperation in these priority spheres, the minister stressed.- (VNA/VLLF)
