Stockholm (VNA) – The year 2024 marks the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sweden, the first Western country to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1969.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Vietnamese Ambassador to Sweden Tran Van Tuan highlighted the great potential for collaboration in some spheres such as climate change response, environmental protection, science-technology, labour, trade, and investment, in which Sweden has strengths.

With a population of over100 million, political stability, and a fast-growing economy, Vietnam is an attractive market for Swedish businesses, the diplomat said.

As part of activities celebrating the the 55th anniversary of the diplomatic ties, the Vietnam-Sweden Business Forum was held on September 6, which touched upon opportunities, challenges, and potential for cooperation between enterprises of the two countries, said the ambassador.

He said the event opened up cooperation opportunities in such areas as digital transformation, energy transition, and innovation, and allowed businesses from both nations to exchange views.

Tuan elaborated on Vietnam's potential for digital transformation and renewable energy, especially wind energy, and its optimisation of science-technology and innovation, as well as Sweden's experience in these fields.

He added that among the 42 valid agreements between the two countries, up to 18 are related to science-technology. Therefore, the partnership in this realm would grow further.

Tuan noted the growing interest from big Swedish science-technology companies in the Vietnamese market, with firms like Ericsson, ABB, and Electrolux already present in the country. Some others have also suggested the Vietnamese Embassy help to weigh the opening of research and development centres, and high-tech factories in the Southeast Asian nation.

Meanwhile, a number of Vietnamese firms such as tech giant FPT have started operation in Sweden, signaling a positive future for bilateral cooperation in science-technology.

ꦺ Tuan said the embassy will work to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including climate change response and environmental protection, waste treatment, digital transformation, energy transition, finance management, health care, labour, trade, and investment. /.