The Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission expects that two-way trade between Vietnam and New Zealand will rise to US$1.7 billion next year as a result of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) of which both countries are members.

Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic
Commission Nguyen Van Binh (R) and Minister of Finance, Minister for Sport and
Recreation and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage of New Zealand
Grant Robertson (Photo:VNA) 

Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh received Minister of Finance, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage of New Zealand Grant Robertson in Hanoi on October 30.

During the reception, Binh showed his joy at the growing bilateral ties in politics, external affairs, economy-trade-development assistance, education-training, and people-to-people exchange as the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of comprehensive partnership this year and the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

Since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2009, two-way trade has surged 14 percent annually, exceeding the US$1 billion benchmark in 2018, he told his guest.

He said he hopes that New Zealand and ASEAN, and New Zealand and Vietnam in particular would step up collaboration to fully carry out the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and soon finalize negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The two sides concurred to continue boosting ties in promising fields such as education and labour amid the fourth Industrial Revolution.

Robertson, in turn, said his nation greatly appreciates Vietnam’s socio-economic development, regarding the country as an important partner in the region.

New Zealand pledged to support and work closely with Vietnam next year when the Southeast Asian nation assumes the ASEAN Chair, and New Zealand and ASEAN celebrate the 45th anniversary of dialogue relations and the fifth anniversary of strategic partnership, he said.

The minister also expressed his wish that Vietnam would share its experience when New Zealand hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2021.