PM Phuc calls for Netherlands' continued support for Vietnam

At a February 6 reception in Hanoi for Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag, PM Phuc hailed the achievements the Netherlands has recorded in building irrigation works, seaports, high-tech agriculture and especially in adaptation with climate change. 

As a result of experience shared by the Netherlands, Vietnam successfully hosted a major conference on climate change response in the Mekong Delta region in the presence of the Deputy Delta Commissioner of the Netherlands and other experts in this sphere, he told his guest.

The Vietnamese government leader also highlighted the Netherlands as one of Asia’s leading trade partners,citing that Dutch businesses have poured nearly US$8 billion in Vietnam. 

PM Phuc urged the Dutch Government to incentivise its firms to increase investments in Vietnam in a multitude of fields, particularly in climate change response and renewable energy. 

Vietnam is reforming itself drastically and improving its business environment, which has been recognized by the international community. The country is boosting deeper integration into the global economy as demonstrated by its successful hosting of international events with the most prominent being the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in 2017 in the central city of Danang.

PM Phuc called on the two nations to further augment the strategic partnership through specific activities such as updating the Mekong Delta Action Plan by building a concrete planning scheme for the region,outlining orientations for regional livelihood restructuring and building regional connectivity, bolstering cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi of Vietnam and Rotterdam of the Netherlands, as well as collaboration in personnel training in the environmental sector. 

For her part, Kaag expressed her delight at the two countries' thorough preparations for activities marking the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties. 

She said she believed that the Governments and people of the Netherlands and Vietnam will more solidify cooperation and accompany with each other in development, looking towards another period of 45 years for their peace and prosperity. 

Kaag said she was being accompanied by representatives of major Dutch businesses who desire to study the Vietnamese market and seek investment and cooperation opportunities in Vietnam in traditional areas such as climate change, high-tech agriculture, seaport management, technological development and start-up. 

With its strengths,  She affirmed her nation's willingness to join hands with Vietnam in agriculture, seaport development and logistics, thus helping generate jobs, stimulate the country’s economic growth and improve living conditions of local people.

The Netherlands always stands ready to partner with Vietnam in developing the Mekong Delta in the face of climate change, she said, adding that such cooperative activities will help both sides improve  the efficiency of the implementation of the millennium development goals (MDGs). 

The Netherlands is also ready to share its knowledge and experience with Vietnam and work together with the country during its development process, she said.

In reply, PM Phuc said he will direct relevant agencies to study, propose and carry out these cooperative activities, covering water resources management. 

He expressed his hope that the Dutch diplomat's visit will represent a landmark in reinforcing comprehensive cooperation between the two countries on a par with the strategic partnership on climate change and water resources management, and the strategic partnership on sustainable agriculture and food security.