At a meeting with Italian Labour Minister Elsa Fornero on March 29, Mai thanked the Italian Government for providing Official Development Assistance for Vietnam in past years and facilitating the operations of its investors in the Southeast Asian nation.

Many famous brands of Italy have been present in Vietnam and Vietnamese people have become familiar with these brands, she said.

She stressed that Vietnam is interested in Italy’s reform programme, especially in employment, labour and pension policies, and wants to learn from Italy’s experience in this field.

Minister Elsa Fornero mentioned the Italian Government’s labour reforms in recent years, expressing hope that these new policies will not only boost Italy’s economic growth but also help develop economic and trade ties with other countries, including Vietnam.

Many Italian companies want to cooperate with Vietnamese counterparts, she said, adding that Italy will make efforts to be named in the list of 20 leading investors in Vietnam in future.

Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese delegation met with Senator Pasquale Viespoli, Senator Giuseppe Menardi and Chairman of the National Council of Economics and Labour Antonio Marzano.

The delegation is scheduled to exchange issues with the Italian side on labour and employment laws.

After the Italy visit, the Vietnamese lawmakers will pay a working visit to the Netherlands from April 1-6.