Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue on November 3 receiveda French business delegation led by Thierry Mathou, Director for Asia at France’s Ministry for Europeand Foreign Affairs.  

The delegation, comprising nearly 50 leading entrepreneurs,came to inquire into investment opportunities in Vietnam on the occasion of theofficial visit by Prime Minister ÉdouardPhilippe.

Deputy PM Hue said the business delegation’s visit creates a chance forthe two sides to listen to each other’s opinions and work together to furtherincrease investment cooperation between the two countries.  

He noted that while the Vietnam-France political relation are growing well,economic and commercial ties remain modest, with two-way trade accounting for just 1 percent ofVietnam’s total foreign trade in 2017.

ThierryMathou said Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, during his visit to Francein early 2018 had agreed to increase France’s presence in Vietnam, which is thereason why the French Prime Minister and businesses have come to Vietnam.  

Firmsoperating in various fields such as energy, infrastructure, health care,information technology and also startups want to work with Vietnamesecounterparts for mutual development, Mathou said.

Representatives from French businesses said bilateraleconomic partnership can further grow, adding that France has sufficient experiencein fighting fake goods, intellectual property, health care, digital technologyand smart city to cooperate with and invest in Vietnam.

TheVietnamese Deputy PM welcomed the intention to invest in Vietnam of Frenchbusinesses. He informed them that Vietnam has recently reviewed 30years of implementing the policy on attracting foreign investment and is makingstrategic adjustments to the policy, with the aim to draw investors with modernand environmentally-friendly technology, who are ready to connect withVietnamese businesses to create global production chains.

”Vietnam wants to learn from France’s experience andcooperate with the French Government and business community,” Hue said,stressing that the success of French firms in Vietnam is also Vietnam’s successin economic development.

The Government official also asked the French businesscommunity to use its influence to advocate the early approval of the Vietnam-EUfree trade agreement.-VNA