Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed Viet Nam highly values the comprehensive partnership with the U.S. and expects to lift up the bilateral ties to new height, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
at the Government Office in Ha Noi on November 8, 2019. Photo: VGP

The Government chief stressed the point Friday at his reception for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who is leading a big business delegation on a visit to Viet Nam.

Phuc spoke highly of Secretary Ross’ contributions to fostering the Viet Nam-U.S. comprehensive partnership, particularly trade and investment, hailing increasingly practical and effective advancements of the bilateral ties across all sectors.

He also highly valued the two countries’ cooperation within the Viet Nam-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) which has served as a platform for the sides to discuss on economic and trade matters of mutual concerns.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross
witness the signing of several cooperative agreements following the reception.
Photo: VGP

Phuc welcomed close collaboration between the Vietnamese Ministry of Trade and Industry and the U.S. Trade Representative Office over the recent past in developing an action plan towards balanced and sustainable trade between the two countries.

He called on American investors to pour investment capital in various areas like energy, infrastructure, healthcare, aviation, finance and pledged to facilitate their involvement in the Government-led process of equitizing State-owned enterprises.

Secretary Ross highlighted that the rising average per capita income in Viet Nam reflects the Southeast Asian country’s socio-economic development achievements.

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce plans to lead another business delegation to Viet Nam in March next year to seek investment opportunities in energy sector, according to Ross, adding that the U.S. stands ready to step up healthcare cooperation with Viet Nam.

After the reception, Prime Minister Phuc and Secretary Ross witnessed the signing of several cooperative agreements between ministries and businesses of the two countries./.