Prime Minister Le Minh Hung meets with Stephan Mergenthaler, Executive Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF). (Photo: VNA)

During the meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed and thanked Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler, Executive Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF), and partners for their continued partnership with Vietnam over the years and their contributions to making the Autumn Economic Forum a space for open and substantive dialogue between the government, businesses, and the scientific community.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the activities of connecting, exchanging policies, sharing experiences, and introducing technology over the past two days have demonstrated the international community's interest, trust, and desire to cooperate with Vietnam in general, as well as with key innovation and growth hubs like Ho Chi Minh City in particular. These activities have also opened up numerous opportunities for connection and the search for new growth drivers.

WEF Executive Director Stephan Mergenthaler congratulated Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City on successfully organizing the Autumn Economic Forum.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung meets with Stephan Mergenthaler, Executive Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF). (Photo: VNA)

Expressing his impression of the long-term vision and efforts to maintain growth based on science and technology, innovation, and the dynamism of the private economic sector, Mr. Stephan Mergenthaler affirmed that WEF is eager to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam.

Especially looking towards 2027, when Vietnam will host APEC 2027, WEF is ready to establish a close cooperation mechanism at the highest level to mobilize the participation of the private sector and the international community in alignment with Vietnam's priorities.

Thanking WEF for its effective support to Vietnam, notably in coordinating with Ho Chi Minh City to establish the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center (C4IR), Prime Minister Le Minh Hung assessed this as a timely and appropriate initiative, keeping pace with current digital and technological transformations.

Regarding development directions, the Prime Minister emphasised that Vietnam is accelerating strategic breakthroughs aimed at rapid and sustainable economic growth, identifying the private economic sector as a particularly important driving force.

To realize this goal, Vietnam is focusing on institutional reforms, applying international standards, protecting the legitimate rights of investors, while simultaneously upgrading transportation, seaport, aviation, energy infrastructure, and developing high-quality human resources.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Stephan Mergenthaler, Executive Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) at their meeting. (Photo: VNA)

The Prime Minister requested that WEF continue to partner as a bridge to support knowledge sharing, technology transfer, capital attraction, and connect international corporations with the Vietnamese business community, especially the private sector.

Looking towards APEC Year 2027, the Prime Minister highly valued the role of WEF and expressed the desire for both sides to closely coordinate to promote policy exchange forums and economic cooperation connections.

The Prime Minister also appreciated the results of the cooperation framework for 2023-2026 between Vietnam and WEF, suggesting that both sides continue to collaborate to soon build and sign a strategic cooperation framework for the next phase, promoting an effective public-private partnership model to contribute to the overall development of the region and the world.