Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh called for strongerefforts to boost trade and investment with France as he delivered hisopening speech at the second Vietnam–France high-level economic dialoguein Paris on April 7.

Economic matters are among the focus of the Vietnam-France strategic partnership, Vinh said.
He hailed Europe and France for their important parts in Vietnam’seconomy which is under restructuring by way of improvingcompetitiveness, using technological innovations.

FrenchMinister for Economy and Industrial Recovery Arnaud Montebourg, in hisspeech, said the dialogue will help address bottlenecks and prepare for anew development period.

Both sides talked openly aboutVietnam’s upcoming projects, joint activities in agriculture, industry,environment and waste treatment.

Speaking of urban transportprojects, including a Hanoi-based subway line, and energy networksacross Vietnam, the Vietnamese side vowed to offer all possible supportto French investors. At the same time, all regulations will be reviewedto make it easier for French goods to enter Vietnam in line with WorldTrade Organisation rules and multilateral agreements.

The French side expressed interest in supplying more beef, fresh fruit and wine products to Vietnam.
Minister Vinh asked the host country to ratify a plan on negotiationson the Vietnam–European Union free trade agreement as soon as possible,saying that constraints involving trade and investment between the twocountries will be cleared once this document is signed.

Theevent was the first high-level economic discussion since the two nationslifted their ties to a strategic partnership level in 2013.

The first event of this kind was held in Hanoi last year, presidedover by Minister Vinh and French Minister for Foreign Trade NicoleBricq.-VNA