Washington (VNA) – A delegation from the CommunistParty of Vietnam (CPV) led by Nguyen Van Binh, a Politburo member and Secretaryof the CPV Central Committee, started a visit to the US from April 8.

Binh, also head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commissionfor Economic Affairs, met with US AssistantSecretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Manisha Singh,during which the two sides agreed that the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnershiphas seen fruitful results and boasts great potential.

The two sides discussed the US’s implementation of theIndo-Pacific Strategy and its impacts on the region and Vietnam.

The US side affirmed Vietnam is one of its most important partnersin the region.

The outcomes of bilateral comprehensive collaboration in allfields from security to investment and trade, as well as the visits of seniorleaders of both sides in recent years, have reflected the sound bilateral partnershipand paved the way for better ties.

At a meeting with Deputy Secretary of Commerce Karen DunnKelley, Binh affirmed Vietnam’s policy of supporting free trade and the realisationof agreements between the two countries as well as collaboration in dealingwith existing problems.

He proposed the US consider recognise Vietnam’s marketeconomy regulations and settle issues related to the application of high taxrates on some products imported from Vietnam.

Kelly praised Vietnam’s efforts to enhance trade tiesbetween the two countries.

The two sides sought measures to boost bilateral investmentand trade towards the target of turning the US into one of the leadinginvestors in Vietnam, especially in energy, infrastructure and high technology,and increasing Vietnam’s imports of American products.

During his working session with leaders of the Overseas PrivateInvestment Corporation (OPIC), Binh and theVietnamese delegation were introduced to the OPIC’s potential in supporting theprivate sector as well as OPIC-assisted projects in Vietnam.

With current capital of morethan 30 billion USD and about 60 billion USD by the end of the year, the OPICwill play the key role in implementing the Indo-Pacific Strategy in the region.

He said Vietnam is determinedto improve its investment environment and ensure stability for foreigninvestors in Vietnam.

Binh suggested that the OPIC increasetechnical support and expand investment projects in Vietnam, while assistingthe improvement of Vietnamese firms’ access to the projects.   

Working with experts at the Centre for Strategic andInternational Studies (CSIS) and The Asia Group, the delegation sharedviewpoints on issues of mutual concern, thus reaching consensus onopportunities and challenges during cooperation.

At a meeting with representatives of the US Chamber ofCommerce and US businesses in energy such as GE and AES groups, Binh briefedthem on Vietnam’s major plans in energy development, with priority on renewableenergy and liquefied natural gas.

Leaders of BacLieu and Gia Lai as well as energy firms of Vietnam had the chance to directlymeet their US peers to seek stronger partnerships.

During his stay,Binh also had working sessions with representatives of the Communist Party USA,the International RepublicanInstitute and the NationalDemocratic Institute to discuss cooperation through the party channel.

The Vietnamese delegation is also scheduled to meetleading US energy firms in Boston and businesses in the Silicon Valley,California.-VNA