French business circle showed their interests in Vietnam'sdevelopment strategy, especially in the 2011-2015 period and between nowand 2020.

Minister of Planning and Investment Vo HongPhuc made the remarks after his working sessions with France ’sSecretary of State for Foreign Trade J.H. Lellouche, Minister ofEconomic Affairs and Finance Christine Lagarde and Secretary of Statefor Health in charge of cooperation programmes with Vietnam Nora Berrawhile visiting France from Feb. 16-18.

He said theFrench political and business circles always pay attention to expandinginvestment in and cooperation with Vietnam .

Francecurrently ranks second after Japan and first in the EU in terms ofbilateral assistance to Vietnam since 1990 which has helped facilitateVietnam ’s socio-economic development process, the minister said.

TheEU member country has committed 3 billion USD to Vietnam , focusingon the telecom, processing, oil and gas and power industries.

MinisterPhuc further said that France pays special attention to developingmarkets human resources and infrastructure in Vietnam .

With potentials in infrastructure development, France considers this agreat chance for its investment in infrastructure in Vietnam , headded.

At the Vietnam-France business forum held on Feb. 18,French business people and their Vietnamese partners discussedpossibilities of investment and measures to remove obstacles while doingbusiness in Vietnam .

They are keen on projects on electricity development, urban planning and construction of seaports and airports.

Regardingthe two countries’ strategic cooperation, Minister Phuc said Vietnamand France are looking towards strategic partnership.

At present, the French political and business circles highlight therole of Vietnam in Southeast Asia, while Vietnam speaks highly of therole of France in the EU, Minister Phuc said./.