Tiếng Việt
普通话
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked Norway to facilitate the signing of EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), saying it would propel the Vietnam – Norway relations to a new height, especially between enterprises of the two countries.
Phuc made the statement in a meeting with newly appointed Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Grete Lochen on May 14.
Phuc considered Norway a credible partner and said the relationship between the two countries has been improved in all spheres.
The PM asked the ambassador to support better cooperation between enterprises from two countries, opening up new business opportunities, including ship building, oil exploration, wind power, wood processing, science and technology, among others.
Meanwhile, he expected more cooperation between two countries in trading activities, helping Vietnamese agricultural products tap in the Norwegian market.
The government would create favorable conditions for foreign companies doing business in Vietnam, including those from Norway.
Phuc said there remains huge potential for the two countries to cooperate in education and training, particularly between universities.
According to Phuc, Vietnam has great interest in maritime economy, solving the plastic waste issue, and hopes to cooperate with Norway on this issue.
At the meeting, Ambassador Lochen said trade and investment have been the key points in two countries’ cooperation over the few years. Vietnam and Norway shared similarity in sustainable development, education, maritime economy, among other issues.
Lochen added Norwegian companies want to cooperate with local partners in energy, solar power and oil exploration, expecting more support from government agencies with regard to this issue.
Lochen pointed to the current modest investment capital of Norway in Vietnam at US$41 million as room for development, expressing her desire to promote more cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries.