Deputy PM Trinh Dinh Dung hosts a reception for Dutch Minister of Infrastructure
and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Ha Noi, April 9, 2019
- Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the seventh meeting of the Viet Nam – Netherlands Inter-Governmental Committee on climate change adaptation and water management.

Viet Nam expects to strengthen the multi-faceted relations with the Netherlands, attaches importance to the role of the Netherlands in the EU and regards the two nations’ relationship as a model of a dynamic and effective relationship between Viet Nam and an European country, said Deputy PM Dung. 

The Netherlands has taken the lead in investing in Viet Nam among nations in the EU, pouring US$8.55 billion into 327 projects. The European country has been the second largest trade partner of Viet Nam with the two-way trade value of US$7.8 billion in 2018. 

In the time ahead, Mr. Dung suggested the two sides make efforts to facilitate their enterprises, hoping to expand cooperation in such areas as renewable energy, high-quality agriculture, food industry, harbor, logistics and smart urban to uphold advantages and potentials.    

He required the Netherlands to urge the EU to soon ink the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Investment Protection Agreement (IPA). 

Both nations agreed to consider climate change adaption and water management as s pillar of the bilateral relationship. 

For her side, Ms. Cora Van Nieuwenhuizen shared concerns about sea ​​level rise, river bank and coastline erosion, flood and drought which create huge challenges for both nations, suggesting the two sides continue further cooperation to launch suitable policies and measures to tackle the issues. 

*The same day, at the meeting with President of Thai Siam Cement Group (SCG) Dhep Vongvanich, Deputy PM Dung confirmed that the Vietnamese Government, ministries and agencies encourages and facilitates foreign investors, including the SCG to expand operation and production in the country.  

In Viet Nam, SCG has 16 member companies, three representative offices and two joint ventures, operating in chemicals, building materials and packaging. 

Located in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, US$5.4 billion-Long Son Petrochemical Complex (LSP) invested by Thailand’s SCG Group is expected to come into operation by 2023.