UK’s former PM ready to help Vietnam attract high-quality investment
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held phone talks on October 27 with the UK’s former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh held phone talks on October 27 with the UK’s former PrimeMinister Tony Blair, who is now Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institutefor Global Change.
Blair spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements inthe COVID-19 fight and being among the few economies with positive growth in2020.
He stressed the role of digital transformationand technology application in combating COVID-19, mentioning the possibility ofworking with the US’ Oracle group to carry out a digital healthcare managementsystem in Vietnam in response to the pandemic.
Hailing Vietnam’s continually improvedinvestment and business climate, Blair held that with what it has obtained inthe COVID-19 fight and the entry into force of the EU-Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA), the country is emerging as a magnet for the global FDI flow.
He also expressed his readiness to assistVietnam in attracting high-quality investment in the time ahead.
For his part, Minh appreciated the former PM’scontributions to the two countries’ relations and provision of policy advicefor Vietnam in some areas like FDI attraction and implementation of thepublic-private partnership model.
Amid the complicated development of the COVID-19pandemic around the world, Vietnam will promote its cooperation withinternational partners in the coronavirus prevention and control, especiallyvaccine and medicine development, production, and distribution, he emphasised.
The Deputy PM affirmed that attractinghigh-quality foreign investment and cooperating in technological developmentare among Vietnam’s priorities in socio-economic development in the time ahead.
He voiced his hope that the two sides willenhance collaboration in attracting high-quality foreign investment, includingFDI projects applying high technology, and setting up innovation and R&Dcentres that are connected with Vietnamese businesses via human resourcestraining and support industry facilitation./.
Vietnam and the UK issued a “Joint Declaration on the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership: Forging Ahead for Another 10 Years” after the talks in Hanoi on September 30 between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and UK First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Dominic Rabb. Following is the full text of the joint declaration.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 30 received Greg Hands, Minister of State for Trade Policy in the Department for International Trade of the UK and President of Enterprize Energy Group Ian Raymond Hatton, who are on a visit to Vietnam to promote an offshore wind power project in the central province of Binh Thuan.
Vietnam and the United Kingdom are speeding up negotiations on a new-generation free trade agreement between the two sides, which is expected to be completed at the end of this year.
An online dialogue on policies and markets held on October 6 offered Vietnamese and UK enterprises an insight into the opportunities and challenges in trade and investment ties between the two nations following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
Vietnam has ordered COVID-19 vaccines from some partners, including in Russia and the UK, spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang told a regular press conference on October 15.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Source: VNA) 
