Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh (L) shakes hands with UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in London, March 18, 2025 - Photo: VGP/Dinh Hai

Nguyen reaffirmed Viet Nam's commitment to strengthening the Viet Nam-UK Strategic Partnership and supporting the UK's increased engagement in the Asia-Pacific region.

He called on the UK to share its expertise and encourage British enterprises and financial institutions' participation in developing international financial centers in Viet Nam; support Viet Nam in training and attracting high-quality human resources for this area.

Nguyen also called on British businesses to invest in and expand their presence in Viet Nam, particularly in clean energy and renewable energy sectors.

In response, Rayner welcomed Viet Nam's initiative to develop financial centers, expressing strong support for British enterprises, experts, and scientists to contribute to the project, thereby strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

She also emphasized that both sides have significant opportunities to enhance trade and energy collaboration, particularly in new and renewable energy sectors.

The British Government leader suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in combating crime, particularly in illegal immigration prevention.

The two sides pledged to leverage trade agreements such as the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to facilitate market access, aiming to boost bilateral trade volume to US$10 billion and beyond.

The roundtable on the development of financial centers in Viet Nam

At the roundtable on the development of financial centers in Viet Nam, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh spoke highly of the contributions of the UK's financial institutions and experts to the process of building financial centers in Viet Nam.

He encouraged British experts and businesses to continue providing insights and recommendations to help Viet Nam refine its legal framework, policies, and regulations for the establishment and operation of financial centers.